Copper Coast Scenic Drive and Cycle, Route Map and Guide, Co. Waterford and Wexford, Irelands Ancient East

  • Author: ActiveME
  • Created: September 22, 2015 1:51 pm
  • Updated: December 12, 2017 10:58 am
Location: Waterford
  • Distance Instructions
Label
  • Distance 221 km
  • Time 0 s
  • Speed 0.0 km/h
  • Min altitude 0 m
  • Peak 86 m
  • Climb 1163 m
  • Descent 1156 m

The Copper Coast Scenic Drive and Cycle Route is a 166km (100 mile) full day or multiple day, scenic coastal road trip starting from either Dungarvan, Co. Waterford or Rosslare in Co. Wexford. The Copper Coast Drive is one of the more spectacular driving and cycle routes in Ireland and a top way to explore Ireland's Ancient East. Take the route with you on our free App for iPhone and Android and share your photos on the ActiveMe facebook page.

Ballydowane Cove, Copper Coast, Co. Waterford, Ireland Failte Ireland

The upcoming Waterford Deise Greenway cycle and walking trail along an old railway line follows a short section of the Copper Coast route near Dungarvan before turning towards Waterford City. It is currently under construction in a number of phases but when fully complete, it will be one of the best off road cycle routes in Ireland and compliment the Copper Coast drive and cycle route. It will provide a great addition to the Copper Coast route and will allow the creation of a cycle loop between Dungarvan and Waterford City.

Deise Greenway Cycling and Walking Trail, Waterford to Dungarvan Railway Aquaduct, Ireland

Starting from either Dungarvan the Copper Coast drive and cycle route takes in the entire Copper Coast European Geopark between Dungarvan and Tramore in County Waterford and it extends onwards to Dunmore East, passing Waterford City, down to the Hook Head Peninsula and Lighthouse, Tintern Abbey (see photo) Kilmore Quay and finishing in Rosslare Co. Waterford.

Tintern Abbey, Copper Coast, Co. Waterford, Ireland Failte Ireland

 Starting from Dungarvan here a few places to visit and things to do along the Copper Coast route:
- Explore the busy town of Dungarvan on foot
- Deise Greenway Cycle and Walking Route
- Golf at the Gold Coast Golf Resort
- Clonea Strand Blue Flag Beach
- Picturesque village of Stradbally
- Copper Coast Geopark Centre
- Ballydownane Bay,  Sea Stacks and Cliffs (Bally Dwan Strand)
- Bunmahon Beach and Village - Old Copper Mines and Cliff Walk
- Scenic rest areas and cliff walks at Kilmurrin Cove and Dunabrattin Head promontory fort
- Local craft at Waterford Woodcraft
- Annestown and Dunhill Castle
- Tramore Town and Beach
- Dunmore East picturesque village and fish restaurants
- Passage East fishing village and historical port - take the Ferry to Wexford here!!
- Duncannon Beach
- Kilmokea Gardens
- Hook Head Lighthouse and Peninsula
- Fethard Beach
- Tintern Abbey
- Ballyteige Burrow Nature Reserve
- Kilmore Quay
- Johnstown Castle
- Colclough Walled Garden
- National Opera House
- Wexford Town heritage trail
- Irish National Heritage Park

- Curracloe Beach - opening scene from Saving Private Ryan

Hook Lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co Wexford
You can also extend the Copper Coast route from either end and make a full driving or cycling loop by travelling inland exploring the numerous sights and great scenic routes of the Munster Vales area which includes the Comeragh Mountains, Galtee Mountains, Knockmealdown Mountains and Ballyhoura mountains. From Dungarvan you can travel northwest to Lismore and take in The Vee scenic tourist driving route through the Knockmealdown Mountains and woodland along the river valley with scenic views at every turn along this up and down route. From there you can head east to the historical town of Clonmel in Co. Tipperary before turning north towards the famous Rock of Cashel and then east again heading to Kilkenny. Leaving Kilkenny you will then head south east along quiet country roads to the town of New Ross with connections to John F. Kennedy before returning east to Rosslare to complete the extended Copper Coast loop.

The Copper Coast Scenic Drive and Cycle Route is a 166km (100 mile) full day or multiple day, scenic coastal road trip starting from either Dungarvan, Co. Waterford or Rosslare in Co. Wexford. The Copper Coast Drive is one of the more spectacular driving and cycle routes in Ireland and a top way to explore Ireland’s Ancient East. Take the route with you on our free App for iPhone and Android and share your photos on the ActiveMe facebook page.

Ballydowane Cove, Copper Coast, Co. Waterford, Ireland Failte Ireland

The upcoming Waterford Deise Greenway cycle and walking trail along an old railway line follows a short section of the Copper Coast route near Dungarvan before turning towards Waterford City. It is currently under construction in a number of phases but when fully complete, it will be one of the best off road cycle routes in Ireland and compliment the Copper Coast drive and cycle route. It will provide a great addition to the Copper Coast route and will allow the creation of a cycle loop between Dungarvan and Waterford City.

Deise Greenway Cycling and Walking Trail, Waterford to Dungarvan Railway Aquaduct, Ireland

Starting from either Dungarvan the Copper Coast drive and cycle route takes in the entire Copper Coast European Geopark between Dungarvan and Tramore in County Waterford and it extends onwards to Dunmore East, passing Waterford City, down to the Hook Head Peninsula and Lighthouse, Tintern Abbey (see photo) Kilmore Quay and finishing in Rosslare Co. Waterford.

Tintern Abbey, Copper Coast, Co. Waterford, Ireland Failte Ireland

 Starting from Dungarvan here a few places to visit and things to do along the Copper Coast route:
– Explore the busy town of Dungarvan on foot
– Deise Greenway Cycle and Walking Route
– Golf at the Gold Coast Golf Resort
– Clonea Strand Blue Flag Beach
– Picturesque village of Stradbally
– Copper Coast Geopark Centre
– Ballydownane Bay,  Sea Stacks and Cliffs (Bally Dwan Strand)
– Bunmahon Beach and Village – Old Copper Mines and Cliff Walk
– Scenic rest areas and cliff walks at Kilmurrin Cove and Dunabrattin Head promontory fort
– Local craft at Waterford Woodcraft
– Annestown and Dunhill Castle
– Tramore Town and Beach
– Dunmore East picturesque village and fish restaurants
– Passage East fishing village and historical port – take the Ferry to Wexford here!!
– Duncannon Beach
– Kilmokea Gardens
– Hook Head Lighthouse and Peninsula
– Fethard Beach
– Tintern Abbey
– Ballyteige Burrow Nature Reserve
– Kilmore Quay
– Johnstown Castle
– Colclough Walled Garden
– National Opera House
– Wexford Town heritage trail
– Irish National Heritage Park

– Curracloe Beach – opening scene from Saving Private Ryan

Hook Lighthouse, Hook Peninsula, Co Wexford
You can also extend the Copper Coast route from either end and make a full driving or cycling loop by travelling inland exploring the numerous sights and great scenic routes of the Munster Vales area which includes the Comeragh Mountains, Galtee Mountains, Knockmealdown Mountains and Ballyhoura mountains. From Dungarvan you can travel northwest to Lismore and take in The Vee scenic tourist driving route through the Knockmealdown Mountains and woodland along the river valley with scenic views at every turn along this up and down route. From there you can head east to the historical town of Clonmel in Co. Tipperary before turning north towards the famous Rock of Cashel and then east again heading to Kilkenny. Leaving Kilkenny you will then head south east along quiet country roads to the town of New Ross with connections to John F. Kennedy before returning east to Rosslare to complete the extended Copper Coast loop.