Mizen Head to Malin Head - Advice Please!

[steve199]

I'm planning a solo trip in August this year, Mizen to Malin following the Wild Atlantic Way (roughly) I plan to use B&B/hostel rather than camping. This is my planned route so far: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49740398

• I haven't cycled any of these roads before so I'd appreciate any insights such as roads to avoid or more scenic options etc. (I'm on a road bike so prefer to avoid gravel paths)
• I'm thinking of trying for 180/190km per day - is that realistic?
• Also, I need to get to the start from Belfast - is train to Dublin/Cork then bus to Skibbereen the best option?
• Any issues with bringing a bike on the train/bus?
• Any advice on hostels/b&bs along the route?

Any help or advice much appreciated!

 

[laurentian]

I haven't done the route you're looking at although I plan to one day. My wife and I have done from Cork to Dublin (so the other coast, anti clockwise from Cork). You will need to book your bike onto the train. From memory, this costs about £10 but there are limited (very) spaces for bikes on the train and so make sure you do this early.

My experience is that other road users (cars, lorries etc) do not give you the space that you would get in England. This could just be my "luck" but it was very evident.

There was a significant section of our ride where the road signs were in Gaelic with no English translation as found in other places. My Gaelic is non-existent and some of the place names look nothing like the English equivalent so possibly worth finding out what the Gaelic is for the critical points of the journey.

Hope you have as good a time as we did over there - it's a wonderful place to cycle.

 

[Trickedem]

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49740398

Steve, I did this in September last year. I took a chance on accommodation and booked as I went along. I think you should be wary of doing the same in August though.
I stayed in the Bridge House B&B in Bantry. Very strange.
If you are staying in Bantry, this place was wonderful. https://brunapairc.com/
I would also suggest taking a look at the route I did from Bantry to Tralee. Some wonderful climbs on quiet roads.
I didn't stick to the Wild Atlantic Way and some of the quiet roads I went on were fantastic and generally in much better condition than the UK.

 

[Emanresu]

Did this in May/June 2023.

1. Roads: Since you'll be outside Dublin for the whole route wouldn't worry about roads - apart from the cows and their little gifts to cyclists.
2. Accommodation is expensive. More than the UK and a bit of a shock when you are used to paying Spanish accommodation prices. You'll just have to take what you can find as there is a shortage of rooms in certain parts.
3. I started in Cork and took the WAW along to Mizen Head. On the Dublin - Cork rail route, bikes were in a cattle car so have a few bungees to attach your bike to a wall.
4. Can't comment on your route as I can't see it I but took a more direct route: Cork - Mizen - Bantry - Killarney - Galway - Carrick - Northern Ireland (family) - Donegal - Malin Head - Belfast.
5. It's so quiet there that going into the tourist traps of Killarney and Galway were actually a welcome change.
6. Lovely people and great breakfasts.