Walking Ireland's West Coast

Trip Type:

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.

Activity:

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.

Grade & Terrain

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!

Navigation

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.

• 6 Nights in B&B's, guest houses and hotels
• 6 Breakfasts
• Luggage Transfers
• Taxi transfers as detailed in the itinerary
• A detailed information pack
• Access to routes and maps on the Macs Adventure Smartphone App
• 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office

• Travel to Liscannor
• Travel from Ballyvaughan
• Lunches & dinners
• Snacks & drinks
• Travel Insurance
• Personal Equipment
• Ferry to/from Inishmore Island
• Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage

• Extra nights before, after or during your walk

When To Go

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.

Please note that the coastal walk between the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre and Doolin is currently closed due to safety issues. Work is being done to re-open for the season starting in 2023. In the meantime, we have a beautiful alternative walk which is a combination of the coastal section between Moher Tower and the visitor centre followed by a re-route which takes you away from the cliff edge. This means you still get to experience the cliffs and we believe that the overall experience and views are one of the highlights of this trip.

Weather and Climate

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.

Getting to the Start

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.

Getting from the End

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.

Baggage Transfer

Daily door-to-door luggage transfers are included in the price of your trip, allowing you to set off on each walk carrying a light backpack.

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. Ninety-nine percent of the time they will only transfer one bag per person, but the allowed weight ranges from anything between 15 and 20kg per bag, depending on the tour you are taking. We do not have control over the limits that these providers set. Therefore, 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 (including shopping bags or boots) and 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.

On this trip, we ask you to keep your luggage to a maximum weight of 15 kilograms per item. Although most airlines have a standard baggage allowance of 23kg, we kindly ask you to distribute any excess weight over a separate bag. Please note that 2 bags per person are allowed, meaning 4 bags per couple.

General Information

Ferry Information:

The ferry from Doolin Pier to the Aran Island of Inishmore takes approximately 1hr20min (not included in the tour cost).

Please check out the website of Doolin 2 Aran Ferries for accurate information about the ferries to the Aran Islands. There is one ferry per day that leaves at approximately 10:00 am. The return ferry leaves Inishmore at approximately 4:00 pm. We recommend buying your return ticket (approx €25) in advance to secure your place. 

Please note that schedules may change according to the tide and weather conditions and the ferry company also reserves the right to cancel ferries if the weather is extreme.

Equipment

Along with your usual gear for a day of walking, you should consider packing gaiters, poles, and an extra layer along with a solid good-quality pair of waterproof boots of course. Always take plenty of water, especially in sunny weather and wear sun protective clothing and sun cream. Your information pack will have a detailed equipment list to help you prepare for your holiday.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.