Irish cycling route named "most Instagrammed" in Europe

*A section of the Wild Atlantic Way has been named as the most Instagrammed cycling route in Europe, coming in at 'No 1' in the top 20 list below*

An Irish cycling route has been named the most photographic in Europe, coming in at 'No 1' in a top 20 list of the most Instagrammed routes across the Continent. It has come out best ahead of iconic routes in Spain and France and other popular routes in countries like Britain, Sweden, Norway and Germany.

The list, which includes locations right across Europe, should be a boost to the cycling routes that have made the grade as online searches for the best cycling routes in Europe have increased by 18 per cent in the last year.

Topping the list is the stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way on the Inishowen Peninsula in Co Donegal; a winner that will come as a surprise to very few people who have spent time cycling in the area.

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It has taken top spot - in a list compiled by comparethemarket - ahead of Camino Francés at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France. In third place came Cinglés De Ventoux in Bédoin, France; a 135.5km route with 4,420 metres of climbing.

The Inishowen 160km cycle route around Inishowen Peninsula is a signposted journey that looks set to become even more popular now that it has been recognised ahead of its "rivals" in Europe.

If starting at Bridgend, which is often pointed to as the beginning of the coastal route, you will then go on to Lough Swilly, Inch Island, Fahan, Buncrana, Tullyarvan Mill, Dunree beach and Dunree Fort, Mamore Gap, Leenan Bay, Tullagh Bay, Clonmany, Ballyliffin and Muff.