If you are looking to explore the iconic sights of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Coast combined with some gentle walks in one of Europe's most distinctive moon-like landscapes, then this is the trip for you. This tour offers an extremely warm welcome from friendly hosts in charming small accommodations, lively musical traditions, and places of historical significance. The walks are rated easy to moderate and are suited to most regular walkers of average fitness. A free day in Doolin allows you to be creative with your time, visiting the other two "Arans", admiring the staggering Cliffs of Moher from up close or exploring on two wheels.

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

Solo Travellers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveller this holiday would be suitable for is: 11 Years

This walking trip is graded easy to moderate with gentle walks that can be completed at your own pace. The daily distances range from 10.5 to 15.5 km (7 to 10 mi). 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. If you would like to have some flexibility it is possible to add some additional rest days. 

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 (also known as bitumen), typically when leaving or entering local towns and villages. This reflects the fact that rights of way are almost non-existent in Ireland. The road walking is scenic and mostly along quiet lanes with little traffic. Always take extra care and be mindful of other road users.

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. That being said, this is a true highlight of this trip and the views over the Aran Islands and Connemara on a clear day are more than worth it. 

If you are thinking of travelling solo, please consider that mobile phone coverage may be patchy in remote areas along the trail. We also welcome small groups on the trail, ideally no bigger than 8-10 travellers due to accommodation limitations. Booking in advance is a must!

You will be spending one night in Liscannor, three nights in Doolin and two nights in Ballyvaughan. We have carefully selected hotels, B&B's and guest houses that we know you're going to love. You can expect a warm welcome from friendly hosts, a good night's rest, traditional hospitality and delicious full Irish breakfasts.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

We will be happy to accommodate your party with single rooms if requested, and this trip is also available to solo walkers.

Meals

A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options.

Most of your accommodations will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival (payable locally). Alternatively, you can buy lunch in local shops or cafes. For dinner, there are nearby pubs and restaurants in each location.

This is a low-level route that is well waymarked for the most part and easy to follow. Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.

Please note that depending on the time of year and recent weather, the trail may be boggy in places which could reduce your average walking speed.

This walking tour through the Burren is available between mid-April to the start of October. You have the flexibility to start on any date, subject to availability.

In our opinion, one of the most beautiful times to visit this region is in spring when colourful wildflowers burst through the cracks of the landscape, forming a beautiful contrast. Travel between May and June to be in the best chance of seeing puffins on the Cliffs of Moher. Puffin nesting season is from late May to Mid-July when they return to shore. July and August are the busiest months and accommodations tend to fill up fast. For a quieter experience, the ideal months are May/June and September. We recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment, especially when travelling in a group.

Irish weather is typically unpredictable year-round so be prepared for any conditions and you will be pleasantly surprised. At the start and towards the end of the season the conditions may be wet and windy. It is important that you check the local weather forecast before setting off each day.

Shannon Airport is the most convenient airport to fly in and out of to reach the Burren. There are local buses that take you from Shannon Airport to Liscannor (2hr25min).

If you are flying into Dublin Airport or travelling from Dublin, there are a few options. The most budget-friendly option would be to board a local bus to Galway (2hr30min), then catch a bus from Galway to Liscannor (2hr30min). It is also possible to take a train from Galway to Ennis (approx 1hr20min) and then catch a bus from Ennis to Liscannor (30min). The most convenient option would be to book a taxi transfer from Galway to Liscannor (prices on request).

The following websites have more information on timetables and prices: Bus Eireann and Irish Rail. Another popular travel planner that we find useful is Rome2Rio.

There is a bus stop right outside the Cliffs of Moher Hotel and Vaughan’s Anchor Inn, our preferred accommodation options in Liscannor.

Ballyvaughan is a one-hour bus ride away from Galway. There are just 2 buses per day to Galway and once you are here, you can take another bus to Shannon Airport (1hr40min).

There are buses from Galway to Dublin Airport and the city centre too (2hr30min). Please check the following websites which have more information on timetables and prices: Bus Eireann and Irish Rail. Another popular travel planner that we find useful is Rome2Rio.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 18kg per person.

At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase.  Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person.  It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.