The Wild Atlantic Way has been ranked amongst some of the most scenic roads in the Lonely Planet’s guide to the top fifty drives in the world.
Also included on the list are America’s iconic Route 66, Australia’s Great Ocean Road, Ho Chi Minh Road in Vietnam, and the salt flats in Bolivia.
In the travel site’s new book, ‘Epic Drives of the World’, they describe how they were awestruck after visiting our rugged coastline, our opaque mirror-like lakes – even the ‘caorach’ got a shout out!
The book describes the web of roads and sublime sea views that line the 2,500km route from Kinsale to Derry as “untamed and utterly divine.”
“Ireland’s west coast is a dramatic procession of deserted beaches and towering cliffs with traditional music and ancient castles abound.
“Ireland’s west coast is battered by Atlantic rollers, strewn with jagged cliffs and littered with wide beaches and sandy coves.
“It’s a place where inky lakes shelter between mountains, sinewy stone walls clamber across hillsides and trees are frequently bent double by the wind.
“The roads here are narrow and winding, grass often grows along a hump in their middle and a herd of sheep can easily scupper all plans.”
Best known for our breathtaking strands, Donegal’s “gloriously deserted beaches” also got a mention.
Donegal is now the Coolest Place on the Planet, hosting Ireland’s top hidden beach, with one of the most scenic drives in the world!
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