Biker-Friendly Places to Stay in Wild Atlantic Way

Looking for motorcycle-friendly accommodation on the Wild Atlantic Way? Pick a base on one of the peninsulas (Dingle, Kenmare, Clifden, Westport or Ardara) and ride loops from the door, rather than trying to cover the whole 2,500 km (about 1,550 miles) route in one push. The best riding is on the mountain passes and headland roads that cut across the peninsulas, not on the main coast road between them.

The best riding roads

• Conor Pass (R560), Dingle. Over the mountains from Dingle to the north side of the peninsula. Narrow near the top, with a big view over the lakes and Brandon Bay. Pair it with the Slea Head Drive (R559) around the end of the peninsula.
• Healy Pass (R574), Beara. From Adrigole to Lauragh, a tight run of bends over the spine of the Beara peninsula with views over Bantry Bay and the Kenmare River.
• Ballaghbeama Gap, Kerry. A single-track road through a rocky gap in the mountains inside the Ring of Kerry. Much quieter than the N70 around the coast.
• Sky Road, Clifden. A short loop west of Clifden high above the Connemara coast.
• Glengesh Pass, Donegal. From Ardara toward Glencolumbkille, with hairpins dropping into a deep glen.

Where to base yourself

Dingle covers the Conor Pass and Slea Head. Kenmare sits between the Ring of Kerry and the Beara peninsula, with the Healy Pass and Ballaghbeama in reach. Clifden is the base for Connemara and the Sky Road, Westport for Achill Island and Mayo, and Ardara or Donegal town for the Donegal coast.

When to go

May to September. May and June have the longest days and lighter traffic. July and August bring coaches and camper vans onto the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle peninsula. Rain and wind can arrive at any time of year, and the headland roads are exposed.

Parking and garage tips

• Few B&Bs have garages. Ask for a spot off the road or in the yard, out of the wind.
• Sheep, gravel and wet cattle grids are common on the mountain roads, especially on blind bends.
• Fuel can be far apart on the peninsulas. Fill up in the main towns.