Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk

Walked from Doolin to Cliffs of Moher over the May Bank Holiday weekend and it can only be described as stunning. Congratulations to everyone concerned for providing a trail that would match anything in the world.



Would recommend good walking shoes (boots better) for comfort and sound grip. There are a few steep climbs but nothing too difficult and the views are worth it. We turned at Cliffs of Moher and returned to Doolin as we had only one car but the walk back was very different and enjoyable. It would be nice to have a car at Liscannor and Doolin to make the complete route. We treated ourselves to lunch in the Wild Honey Inn in Lisdoonvarna afterwards which was also super.



Again a big thank you to all concerned and especially the generosity of the farmers to allow us use their land.

Well done to all involved in this project. We walked from Liscannor to Doolin on Saturday 15th February in glorious weather. The views are fantastic and the trail path is ideal. This has to be one of the best walks in Ireland. The only suggestion I have is that a mapboard and toilet facilities would be a bonus in the private carpark at the start of the walk.

On a wild, windy, wet day 3 of us hit the Liscannor to Cliffs coastal walk. Even though the weather was terrible the views were absolutely breathtaking and we all cannot wait to do this walk again in better conditions. If you want a walk which remains in your memory this is the one for you. Cannot wait to do the full Liscannor to Doolin walk.

My wife, our 19 year old son and myself walked the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk from Liscannor Village to Doolin's Fisher Street (full walk) on Wednesday 4th September 2013. Each of us were highly impressed by the stunning scenery and everything else about this spectacular walk. A lot of great work is noticeable in the development of the trail path. It is only fitting to extend special compliments to every person and organisation in the recent development of this truly outstanding cliff walk.



I have no hesitation whatsoever to give this full trail a five star rating. In my opinion, every effort has been made to balance the need to take full advantage of the splendid views whilst at the same time maintaining safety to the person. We did not feel any danger at any stage of the walk.



As the trail is linear, we parked our car in Fisher Street, Doolin, Co. Clare and boarded the number 337 Bus Eireann bus at 1235hrs and arrived in Liscannor village at 1320hrs. (Bus Eireann timetable is available on their web-site). From there we started the 20km walk along the Cliffs of Moher all the ways back north to Doolin Village. The sun beamed down on top of the Co. Clare landscape and provided an azure sky reflecting in the clear calm sea below. It is only in such a weather window that this cliff walk can be really appreciated at its full potential. The pathway can become rather a little crowded especially around the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, but that is to be expected.



We would recommend that walkers doing the full trail (20kms) bring at least two litres of water, lunch and wear only appropriate good support hiking footwear. Warm clothing and rainwear should also form part of your rucksack content.



We were so enthralled by this fabulous walk that when Fisher Street in Doolin came into view we felt it was like re-engaging with reality after a 4 hour 15 minute interlude in a captivating and dreamlike experience. We turned around and bade a fond farewell to the hugely impressive Cliffs of Moher, O’Brien’s Tower, and looking south, Moher Tower and Hags Head. We have wonderful memories and spectacular photographs from our adventure along this 20 km walk. It is one of those special trails that you can forever relish and perhaps retrace your footsteps in your thoughts when you are far away from this beautiful and enchanted place.



The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Trail certainly, and without doubt, ticks all the boxes of the Irish Trails broad vision which is:



“To create, nurture and maintain a world class recreational trail network that is sustainable, integrated, well utilised and highly regarded, that enhances the health, well being and quality of life of all Irish citizens and that attracts visitors from around the world”. (section 1.1. Strategy Vision, Irish Trails Strategy, 2007, The Irish Sports Council)



Once again, a special 'thank you' to everybody and every organisation in the development of this wonderful trail. May countless walkers henceforth enjoy this magnificent public amenity. It is true, as the old saying goes - "the best things in life are free".

The "Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk" is absolutely fantastic. There are so many spectacular views, it’s a great way to explore the cliffs and the new trail makes it much safer. Though I would recommend wearing walking boots as I have seen people walking in flip flops.

Well done to all involved in the Cliffs of Moher to Doolin trail. I am very familiar with the area and had walked the old trail many times before. The new trail is much safer than what was there previously without disrupting the beauty of the cliffs and the edges. The views are incredible, especially on a clear day you couldn't be in a more beautiful place

Having the Cliffs of Moher centre half way is so convenient for a toilet break and to get refreshments. Well done to the people who have opened up a donations carpark at the Hags Head end but there could be more information where to park on the Doolin side.

All in all I fully enjoyed the trail and have recommended it to many people heading to the cliffs.

Without repeating the points made in other reviews, Firstly, compliments to all involved as the route opens up a marvelous journey. I am surprised by the design of this walkway which is advertised as being for serious walkers. For more than 1Km on either side of the clifftop visitors' centre, the route is altogether too narrow and quite unsuitable for the large numbers of people walking (strolling and standing!). Queues at the styles and long waits to get past the slow moving strollers are frustrating for those walking the full distance of the coastal way from Liscannor to Doolin. The abundant use of metal signs with sharp edges and all set at knee height and below seems odd given that they pose a real safety hazard to walkers whose gaze will often be drawn away from the path to the beautiful land and seascapes. These signs should at least have rounded edges or better still, be made of a more leg friendly material. this is a wonderful project. It would benefit from a serious review.

This is Eimer McCarthy, working as Rural Recreation Officer with Clare Local Development Company in County Clare. In response to the review by Yvonne from UK on 25/06, I would like to thank Yvonne for taking the time to write the review.



The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk is not in a National Park; the path is constructed on privately owned farmland. The landowners on whose land this trail is built have requested a strictly no dogs policy on this walk, due to concerns with livestock particularly cows with calves, and sheep with lambs. All farmland walks in County Clare operate on a strictly no dogs policy. Also, some walkers are not comfortable sharing a path with dogs, particularly in this case as the path is narrow.



There are however many walks in County Clare where dogs on a lead are welcome – the Burren National Park walks, Slieve Carran Nature Reserve walks, Dromore Nature Reserve walks, O’ Briens Bridge loops, Doonbeg and Tullaher Bog road loops, Carran Turlough loop, Coillte sites (5), Historic Town trails (5), Sli na Slainte routes and Lees road Amenity park Ennis.

This is Eimer McCarthy, working as Rural Recreation Officer with Clare Local Development Company in County Clare. In response to the review by Tom from Clare on 21/06/2013 firstly to thank Tom for taking the time to write the review. This walk has been developed to best international standards for coastal walks, with much appreciated expert advice from the National Trails Office/ Irish Sports Council.



The path was specifically designed to be narrow, to demonstrate the challenging nature of the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk, and to keep it as close to its original state as possible, as well as to avoid surfacing and fencing excessive chunks of land from farmers along the route.



Fencing the coastal side of the walk is not recommended, as it can encourage people to climb onto and over it to get a better view or picture, it is difficult to install safely, and difficult to maintain, as well as taking from the natural experience of a coastal walk.



The electrified wire Tom mentioned is on the landward side of the fencing, to protect the fence from animals in the fields adjacent to the walk. The line of wire on the walkers' side is non-electrified bull wire, to assist walkers if necessary and keep them from coming into contact with the electrified wire. As part of the on-going development and maintenance work electric fence warning signs will be hung on the electrified wire to demonstrate this to walkers.



No bikes symbols are displayed on 4 large signs at the 4 entry points to the coastal path. No bikes symbols and text are displayed on the 3 Mapboards at the 3 Trailheads/ Starting points of the walk. It is planned to erect additional larger signs with no bikes symbol and text at 3 locations where we are aware that bikes have been entering the walk.



A Cliff Path safety code has been developed, and is on display at the Trailheads/ Starting points, at the 4 Entry points to the walk, and on the Mapcards for walkers, clearly highlighting the nature of the trail including terrain, difficulty etc.

I have walked this trail and it is stunningly beautiful and a far better way to view the Cliffs for those lucky enough to have the physical health and stamina needed than the busy roads and car parks.

However it makes no sense at all to say that dogs are not allowed. There is no National Park anywhere else that bans dogs. As long as they are on a lead and are well behaved (unlikely to chase birds or farm animals), then it should be fine.

You are stopping a large amount of locals and visitors from using this coastal path (and I have visited it many times over the past thirty years) in a way that is unnecessary and evidence of a lack of understanding.

Please review this decision. Even better tell me it was just a typing error as it beggars belief, when presumably you are trying to encourage access.



(PS Responsible dog owners always clean up after their pets so there is no need for expensive emptying of waste if that is the concern. Simply impose a large fine if necessary.)