Lough Avalla Farm loop
Grade
Moderate
Length
5.2 km
Am
2 hours 30 minutes
Format
Loop
Ascent
140 m
Dogs Allowed
No
Waymarking
Purple arrow
Start Point
Lay-by at Gortlecka Crossroads, Mullaghmor, Burren National Park
Finish Point
Lay-by at Gortlecka Crossroads, Mullaghmor, Burren National Park
Nearest Town to Start
Corofin
Grid Ref.
R 303 944
Lat. and Long.
52.996638, -9.036644
This loop is waymarked with standing stone slabs and passes through an old celtic farm, touching on the shores of Lough Avalla. On sandy roadways, farm tracks, laneways and open Burren ground it includes an ascent to a stone cairn, a line of high €˜cliffs' and a mix of stone fields, scrub and pastures with great views, particularly of Mullaghmore.
Maps and other information
External Links
The landowner asks for your co-operation that no dogs are brought along the Lough Avalla Farm loop.
OSI Maps
Discovery Series Sheet 51
Martina from Galway
Great 8km hike...even though we hadn't realised it was that distance when we started out! Beautiful terrain - burren stoney landscape mixed with intervals of farmland. Some tough climbs but definitely worth it. Spotting farm animals along the way kept our 7 year old son entertained. Lovely on a clear day but parts would be quite slippy if wet conditions. The treat of fresh apple pie, brownies and tea in the farmhouse after was the icing on the cake! Harry took the time to show us his organic garden and to taste the honey from his beehive. Highly recommend this trail and cannot wait to go back.
Hanrahan Family from Clare
What a fab trail. Just can't say enough about it. After a very welcoming cup of tea and coffee at the farm house from the wonderful family that own the farm. Will defo be back!
Thea-Iren from Clare
I have kept my eye on this trail for long time. I agree with previous commentaries. It is amazing trail. But it can be very slippery in wet conditions. I had a perfect hiking weather and currently everything is blooming. Just beautiful!
Helen from Clare
Yet again, having now completed this walk for the 3rd time, it still remains by my favourite walk. I love the variety of terrain and of course the tea, cake and friendly chat at the end. This walk is now becoming my annual pilgrimage, its a little piece of heaven.
David from Dublin
There are too few superlatives to describe this walk - it's simply majestic: most likely the best and most varied trail in Ireland. It is quite challenging in some areas.
Devon from United States
One of the most beautiful hikes ever. Very diverse landscapes. Loved it.
Declan from Kildare
Possibly the best trail in Ireland. Challenging in terms of terrain and distance over lesser, easier offerings in the area, but this will reward the rambler at every turn. Cairns, limestone pavement, lakes, hazel woods dripping with moss... it's all here. And when you've paid your respects at the holy well, marvelled at the views over Mullaghmore, and met the goats and saddleback pigs en route, and possibly returned your complimentary hazel walking stick, you must have tea and scones at the Avalla Farm Tea Rooms. How else to finish the best trail in Ireland but with a visit to the best tea shop as well? Rain or shine, it doesn't get any better than this.
Angela from Clare
If you can only do one hike in the Burren this is the one to do.
My friend and I did this walk yesterday in glorious sunshine and it was magic from beginning to end. I echo everything said in all the other reviews about the excellence of the signage, the care, thought and generosity of the landowners in creating, designing and maintaining this walk; everything they have done enhances what nature provided which is as close to heaven on earth as you can get. You could do this walk in the 2.5 hours mentioned but you won't want to rush round when you have a holy well, tree-lined paths, wide limestone pavement, brilliant views over Mullaghmore & the National Park, wide vistas over the county to the east and south, flower filled meadows, a lake, a tomb and a cairn, climbs and descents, not to forget the visit to the farmhouse to include in your visit to Lough Avalla.
Botany, archaeology, geology, agriculture, local history, craftsmanship and ingenuity (pay attention to the gates and stiles!) - all are here for you.
Take the descents slowly especially in wet weather - the guard rails are a great help and perfectly positioned.
So charge your camera, put your boots on and come and let this place "catch the heart off guard and blow it open" to quote Seamus Heaney about another equally, but differently, beautiful part of Co Clare.
My friend and I did this walk yesterday in glorious sunshine and it was magic from beginning to end. I echo everything said in all the other reviews about the excellence of the signage, the care, thought and generosity of the landowners in creating, designing and maintaining this walk; everything they have done enhances what nature provided which is as close to heaven on earth as you can get. You could do this walk in the 2.5 hours mentioned but you won't want to rush round when you have a holy well, tree-lined paths, wide limestone pavement, brilliant views over Mullaghmore & the National Park, wide vistas over the county to the east and south, flower filled meadows, a lake, a tomb and a cairn, climbs and descents, not to forget the visit to the farmhouse to include in your visit to Lough Avalla.
Botany, archaeology, geology, agriculture, local history, craftsmanship and ingenuity (pay attention to the gates and stiles!) - all are here for you.
Take the descents slowly especially in wet weather - the guard rails are a great help and perfectly positioned.
So charge your camera, put your boots on and come and let this place "catch the heart off guard and blow it open" to quote Seamus Heaney about another equally, but differently, beautiful part of Co Clare.
Cormac from Galway
Fantastic walk. Don't miss a visit into the farmhouse for tea at the end. It also allows you to make a contribution to the family for building this trail fully on their own farm
Michael from Cork