Burren Way

Walking
County Clare
5/5
3 reviews
Grade Moderate
Length 118.8 km
Time 5 days
Format Linear
Ascent 540 m
Dogs Allowed No
Waymarking Yellow arrow on black background
Start Point
Lahinch
Finish Point
Corofin
Nearest Town to Start Lahinch
Grid Ref. R 094 877 / R 285 887
Lat. and Long. 52.93251, -9.34754 / 52.94437, -9.06373

The Barony of the Burren forms the northern part of County Clare, overlooking Galway Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The word Burren comes from Boireann, or stony district, and refers to the 130 square kilometres of spectacular terraced carboniferous limestone hills and valleys that characterise the area. The highest hill, Slieve Elva is a mere 344 metres above sea level, but the south-western end of the Burren bedrock drops into the sea at the Cliffs of Moher which rear more than 200 metres vertically out of the sea. Added to these surroundings are hundreds of miles of rambling stone field walls and a unique density of well-preserved monuments and buildings from the Neolithic to the early Christian period, and a rich treasury of rare wild flowers. The Burren Way is a 114km walking route that takes in the best of what the Burren area has to offer, from the coast at Doolin to majestic wild-flower-decorated limestone terraces and from the remains left by the Neolithic inhabitants of the Burren to the rich heritage of early Christian churches and sites. The long views from the top of Mullaghmore, one of the easternmost Burren hills, are particularly spectacular in good weather. Terrain consists mainly of quiet tarmac roads, old green roads, ancient cattle droving roads, paths and forestry tracks, but there are also some stretches on busy roads. There are a few short steep climbs involved. Overnight accommodation options are very good in the area, and there are public transport links to some of the main centres on the route. Walkers may want in particular to linger in the village of Doolin, a mecca for traditional musicians from all over the world.

Trail Management

Eoin Hogan, Rural Recreation Officer, Clare Local Development Company, 1 Westgate Business Park, Kilrush Road, Ennis, Co Clare Tel: 065-6866800 Email: ehogan@cldc.ie

Facilities

Car parking
At Start - in car park at beach in Lahinch
At End - car parking in Corofin

85 kms or 74% of the Way follows local roads.
***Do not enter farmland with dogs even if on a lead ***

OSI Maps

OSI Maps

Discovery Series Sheets 51, 52 and 57
Public Transportation

Public Transportation

At Start: Very limited Bus to Fanore Cross to Doolin and Lisdoonvarna. Check with Bus Eireann.
At End: Bus to Galway, Lahinch (limited in winter). Check with Bus Eireann.

5/5
08/05/2024

Mike Holland from Clare

This is our regular walk doing it two or three times a year , an having done the kenmare way an the westport an dungarvan greenways ; i have no doubt it IS the best walk in ireland.
You cant get lost!
start with tea at the rockshop walk all the way to cliffs .. (1hr 45 ) thecliffs of moher coastel walk. . more tea. Walk on to Doolin , feel the spray on your face! More tea or meal in Oconnor's bar Doolin then aim to get the bus (350) at 15:00 or 17:00 or last one at19:50 (€5)back to your car at the rockshop! If you miss it( we have) get a local lisdoon cab back (€25)
This is the nearest you get to heaven!! Fabulous day out!
5/5
08/21/2014

Ernie from United States

My daughter and I traveled and stayed in Doolin for 3 days in March of this year. One of those days was spent walking from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher... As my daughter said "BEST DAY OF OUR ENTIRE TRIP!!!" easy walk, quite windy when we were there, beautiful rainbows, needed rain coats (glad we had them!) just a great day for this father and daughter team. Would recomend for anyone to hike...
5/5
05/19/2011

Alister Adam from _none

Walked a section of the Burren Way from the Hags Head to Doolin while on holidays recently...one of the best day walks I`ve ever taken.The views were stunning. Thanks

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