Walking Ireland's West Coast
- Discover the natural beauty of the Burren on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Coast
- Puffin spotting at the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland's most iconic views
- Enjoy locally caught fresh mussels, seafood chowder and North Atlantic prawns
- Island hopping and coastal walking on the remote Aran Islands
- Listen to live trad sessions in Doolin, Ireland’s music capital
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in LiscannorWelcome to County Clare, a destination that seamlessly combines windswept landscapes with vibrant Irish culture and music. Arrive in the small seaside village of Liscannor on Ireland’s west coast, overlooking Liscannor Bay. The village takes its name from its old castle, “Lis” is Irish for Fort and “Cannor” is a variation of the name Connor. Many of the local buildings, walls and pavements are built from the striking local flagstone called Liscannor Stone.
Settle into your friendly hotel or cosy B&B before embarking on your first walk tomorrow.
Vaughan's Anchor Inn offers comfortable accommodation including a full cooked breakfast. The food in the evening is excellent. All the bedrooms have been recently renovated and are eco-friendly as the hot water is solar powered. They are tastefully decorated and are all en-suite with king size beds (except single rooms), colour television, hair dryer and tea and coffee making facilities.
The Cliffs of Moher Hotel has very 23 spacious rooms, some of which have a balcony. They also have en suite marble tiled bathrooms with luxury toiletries, new Ultimate Flotation beds with sumptuous layers of memory foam beds, new flat screen TVs with international channel selection and Nespresso machines. A full Irish breakfast is provided in its restaurant. Their Bloody Cranesbill gastrobar has been winning rave reviews for quality and affordability and its nooks and crannies filled with contemporary Irish and international art and photography.
A short transfer (10 min) will bring you to the start of your walk near Moher Tower, an old watchtower at the tip of Hag's Head.
Follow the coast towards the spectacular Cliffs of Moher along narrow clifftop paths. Upon reaching the towering cliffs you will be in awe as they rise to a height of over 200m. On a clear day, you can see over to the Aran Islands, the waters of Galway Bay and even the hills of Connemara. Breathe in the fresh sea breeze and take in one of Ireland's most iconic views.
Tonight you will stay in Doolin, the traditional music capital of Ireland with trad-music sessions in its local pubs nearly every night. This will certainly be a highlight of your stay here.
At the end of August 2024, it was announced that a section of the Cliffs of Moher trail would be closed to allow for immediate health and safety work to be carried out. Only the North section of the trail will remain open, your total distance for this day will be around 6km with the option to spend time at the visitor centre first. This will not affect 2025 bookings.
Ascent/Descent: +678m/-731m
Located in the heart of the picturesque village of Doolin, this family run, 4 star B & B offers you a very memorable breakfast and the six, spacious bedrooms provide you with comfort and wonderful views. Each room is furnished with Complimentary WiFi, complimentary toiletries, tea/Coffee-making facilities, flat Screen television, Hairdryer, radio/alarm, filtered water in every room.
This family run B&B is in the heart of Doolin Village just a stone's throw from O'Connors Pub famed for its live traditional Irish music sessions. This modern and beautifully designed bed and breakfast accommodation offers stylish rooms and friendly hospitality. Relax in the guest sitting room or conservatory with a tea or coffee and unwind at your own pace at the end of the day.
Twin Peaks Bed & Breakfast has a friendly atmosphere with bright rooms and a generously spacious layout. Make the most of the comfortable and cosy guest-lounge, relax and enjoy a quiet read or catch up on your favourite TV programmes. In the mornings, a hearty and extensive breakfast is available in our large dining room with countryside views.
Board a local ferry (35min) from Doolin Pier to Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands in Galway Bay, and the filming location of producer Martin McDonagh's new movie called Banshees of Inisherin. The island has a population of around 900 people and one main settlement, Kilronan, on the southeastern side of the island.
You have a choice of walks today, the longer route (15.5km) takes you along the coast, past a local seal colony to the stone fort of Dun Aengus (built around 1100 BCE). The island's ancient forts and ruins are some of the oldest archaeological remains in Ireland. If you wish to shorten your walk (8km) to allow more time to explore the island, you could take a local bus to Kilmurvey Beach and walk back to Kilronan from there. To allow more time to visit points of interest around the Island, bike hire is available locally.
Ascent/Descent: +98m/-107m
Located in the heart of the picturesque village of Doolin, this family run, 4 star B & B offers you a very memorable breakfast and the six, spacious bedrooms provide you with comfort and wonderful views. Each room is furnished with Complimentary WiFi, complimentary toiletries, tea/Coffee-making facilities, flat Screen television, Hairdryer, radio/alarm, filtered water in every room.
This family run B&B is in the heart of Doolin Village just a stone's throw from O'Connors Pub famed for its live traditional Irish music sessions. This modern and beautifully designed bed and breakfast accommodation offers stylish rooms and friendly hospitality. Relax in the guest sitting room or conservatory with a tea or coffee and unwind at your own pace at the end of the day.
Twin Peaks Bed & Breakfast has a friendly atmosphere with bright rooms and a generously spacious layout. Make the most of the comfortable and cosy guest-lounge, relax and enjoy a quiet read or catch up on your favourite TV programmes. In the mornings, a hearty and extensive breakfast is available in our large dining room with countryside views.
Today the choice is yours, a free day to further explore this beautiful part of the world or to take a well-earned rest day.
If you can't get enough of the desolate beauty of the "Arans" you can hop on a ferry and explore Inisheer, the smallest of the three Aran Islands and the closest to the mainland. Here you can visit "The Plassy" as seen in the TV series Father Ted, a rusted shipwreck set on a rocky beach with scenic views (Optional Island walk - 7.4km/around 2 hours).
Alternatively, you can choose to experience Doolin and the Burren on two wheels by hiring a bike, one of the best ways to explore the west coast and its lunar landscape. Another memorable experience would be to board a boat to see the dramatic rock formations of the Cliffs of Moher from the sea.
Located in the heart of the picturesque village of Doolin, this family run, 4 star B & B offers you a very memorable breakfast and the six, spacious bedrooms provide you with comfort and wonderful views. Each room is furnished with Complimentary WiFi, complimentary toiletries, tea/Coffee-making facilities, flat Screen television, Hairdryer, radio/alarm, filtered water in every room.
This family run B&B is in the heart of Doolin Village just a stone's throw from O'Connors Pub famed for its live traditional Irish music sessions. This modern and beautifully designed bed and breakfast accommodation offers stylish rooms and friendly hospitality. Relax in the guest sitting room or conservatory with a tea or coffee and unwind at your own pace at the end of the day.
Twin Peaks Bed & Breakfast has a friendly atmosphere with bright rooms and a generously spacious layout. Make the most of the comfortable and cosy guest-lounge, relax and enjoy a quiet read or catch up on your favourite TV programmes. In the mornings, a hearty and extensive breakfast is available in our large dining room with countryside views.
A short transfer (10 min) will take you to the start of today's walk in Ballinalacken .
This is one of the most iconic walks through the moonscape of the Burren with spectacular views over the golden sands and dunes of Fanore Beach. Follow the official Burren Way inland along grassy paths and green roads with views past the lighthouse to the Aran Islands and Connemara.
The word 'Burren' is derived from the Irish word "Boíreann," which means rock or a rocky place. Man has settled here since the Stone Age and evidence of this appears all around you. It is a place of beautiful contrasts; a silver landscape that appears lunar, the deep blue Atlantic, and the colourful wildflowers bursting out of the rocks in spring.
Eventually, make the steady descent down into picturesque Ballyvaughan, the perfect location to spend the final two nights of your holiday.
Ascent/Descent: +297m/-420m
Family Hotel for Charm & Comfort located on the Mid point of the Wild Atlantic Way. The hotel has 32 en-suite bedrooms. Facilities include a very high-quality queen-size bed, 32" Multi Channel Smart TV, Writing desk, Hair dryer, Complimentary Toiletries, extra fluffy towels, Blacked Out curtains and hot beverage making facilities and of course, complimentary Wifi and Car parking.
Monks is located in Ballyvaughan within 28 km of Cliffs of Moher and 48 km of Galway Greyhound Stadium. The hotel offer free wifi and free parking and features a restaurant that offers locally sourced cuisine.
After a hearty and energising breakfast, it is time to set off to Aillwee Cave for your final walk. Enjoy panoramic views of the northern Burren and the shimmering waters of Galway Bay.
Aillwee Cave is one of the oldest caves in Ireland and an absolute highlight of this trip. It is often described as "a wonder to all" as its geology and history stretch over 330 million years and feature areas of great geological significance. There is a small shop selling local specialities such as Burren Gold cheese, Burren roasted coffee, jams and chutneys from Doolin.
Family Hotel for Charm & Comfort located on the Mid point of the Wild Atlantic Way. The hotel has 32 en-suite bedrooms. Facilities include a very high-quality queen-size bed, 32" Multi Channel Smart TV, Writing desk, Hair dryer, Complimentary Toiletries, extra fluffy towels, Blacked Out curtains and hot beverage making facilities and of course, complimentary Wifi and Car parking.
Monks is located in Ballyvaughan within 28 km of Cliffs of Moher and 48 km of Galway Greyhound Stadium. The hotel offer free wifi and free parking and features a restaurant that offers locally sourced cuisine.
There are bus connections to Galway from Ballyvaughan (1H). Macs Adventure can also offer a private transfer (extra cost involved). Please ask your Destination & Adventure Specialist for more details.
This trip has a carbon score of 16kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 16kg is equivalent to 6 paperback books in the USA. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?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
The minimum age for this tour 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 19 km (7 to 12 mi), some walks are more strenous than others (Day 5 is graded moderate). 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.
- 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 Aran Islands
- Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
- Extra nights before, after or during your walk
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). Alternatively, you can arrange a taxi through Shannon Airport Cabs.
If you are flying into Dublin Airport, we would recommend spending a night or two in Dublin beforehand to fully experience the Irish Capital. From here, you can catch a train or bus to Galway (2hr 30), 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 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.
Ferry Information:
The ferry from Doolin Pier to the Aran Island of Inishmore takes approximately 35min (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.
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.
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.
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