Walking Ireland's West Coast

This tour is suitable for regular walkers. It is advisable to build up your fitness before setting off, we recommend taking walks that are similar in duration to what you will be doing on this holiday to make the most of your time and walks in Ireland.

The Cliff Path requires surefootedness and a head for heights.

The walks largely take place on the official Burren Way national trail which uses a variety of routes, from forest tracks, green roads, and paths through the barren landscape of the Burren.

Some short sections of the route follow minor country roads but the road walking is scenic and mostly along quiet lanes with little traffic, although a few short sections are along busier main roads where extra care and attention are needed.

Keep in mind that the trail towards the Cliffs of Moher encompasses some slightly narrow and more exposed cliff paths and windy conditions may slow down your progress along the route.

This route ranges from easy to moderate, with one or two sections closer to moderate to strenuous. Within the tour, individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

You'll stay in hand-picked hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses in Liscannor, Doolin and Ballyvaughan along the way, each offering a warm welcome from friendly hosts, a good night's rest, traditional hospitality and delicious full Irish breakfasts.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner aren't included, so you're free to choose from the options available. Most accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch on request, bookable on arrival for a local fee, or you can pick something up at a local shop or café. For dinner, there are pubs and restaurants to choose from in each location.

This tour is available from mid-April to the start of October, with flexibility to start on any date, subject to availability. Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit, when wildflowers burst through the Burren's limestone landscape. If you'd like a good chance of seeing puffins on the Cliffs of Moher, aim to travel between May and June, during their nesting season. July and August are the busiest months, with accommodations filling up fast, so for a quieter visit, May/June or September tend to be ideal. We'd recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment, especially if traveling in a group.

Irish weather is typically unpredictable year-round, so be prepared for anything. Conditions can be wetter and windier at the start and end of the season, so it's worth checking the local forecast before setting off each day.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. This route's source pages don't give a clear stated weight limit per bag in the designated luggage section, so we haven't invented a figure here - please confirm the correct per-bag weight limit with product/ops before this goes live (the site's own luggage-transfer FAQ for this tour references a limit of around 18kg per bag, which may be worth carrying over once confirmed).

This is a low-level route, well way-marked for the most part and easy to follow. Please note that depending on the time of year and recent weather, the trail can be boggy in places, which may slow your pace.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Shannon Airport is the most convenient airport for reaching the start of this tour in the Burren. Local buses run from Shannon Airport to Liscannor (around 2h25), or you can arrange a taxi through Shannon Airport Cabs.

Alternatively, fly into Dublin Airport, we'd recommend spending a night or two in Dublin beforehand to make the most of the Irish capital. From Dublin, take a train or bus to Galway (around 2h30), then a bus from Galway to Liscannor (around 2h30), or a train from Galway to Ennis (around 1h20) followed by a bus from Ennis to Liscannor (around 30 minutes). Irish Rail and the Rome2Rio travel planner both have useful timetable and pricing information. There's a bus stop right outside the Cliffs of Moher Hotel and Vaughan's Anchor Inn, our preferred accommodation options in Liscannor.

Your tour finishes in Ballyvaughan, a one-hour bus ride from Galway (only 2 buses run per day, so plan ahead), from Galway you can take a further bus on to Shannon Airport (around 1h40) or to Dublin Airport and the city centre (around 2h30). Irish Rail and Rome2Rio are useful resources for planning this leg of your journey too.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

We'd also suggest packing a pair of gaiters, useful for the boggier and more exposed sections of this route.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

On your free day in Doolin, you can take a ferry across to the Aran Islands (not included in the tour cost) - check the ferry operator's website for current times, and note that schedules can change with the tide and weather. In summer, an earlier morning ferry lets you make the most of your time on the islands. Outside of summer, services run a little later, so hiring a bike locally is a good way to see more in the time available.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation