Embrace the minimalist mindset and explore the Burren walking trails. It’s no secret that exercise and the great outdoors are beneficial for the mind and body: the physical challenge and primitive accommodation retrain the mind to get back to basics and enjoy being present in the moment. To discover more go with a Guide and discover the Burren’s archaeological, geological and botanical wealth. Hear stories and folklore that will unlock the secrets of this extraordinary landscape.
Looped and Linear Walks Self Guided Walks
There are a wide range of self guided walks available; Black Head Loop, Ballyvaughan Wood Loop, Caher Valley Loop, Carron Loop Walk, Carron Turlough Loop, Burren National Park walks, The Burren Way, Dromore Wood Loop, Fanore to Ballyvaughan Trek, Ennistymon Historic Town Walk. See below for more detail:
Self Guided
Trailhead: Fanore Beach Car Park, Fanore, Co. Clare
Services: Fanore (1km) and Ballyvaughan (14km)
Dist/Time: 26km / 5hr-6hrs
Difficulty: Hard
Terrain: Green roads, tracks and mountain paths
To Suit: Higher than average level of fitness
Min. Gear: Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs, rucksack, fluid, snacks, mobile phone
Download map: Black Head Loop Walk
Trailhead: Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
Services: Ballyvaughan village
Dist/Time: 8kn / 2hrs-2hrs 30 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Surfaced roadway, green roads, tracks, cross country
To suit: Medium level of fitness
Min Gear: Trekking Shoes, waterproofs, fluid, snacks, mobile phone
Download map Ballyvaughan Wood Loop
Trailhead: Fanore Beach Carpark, Co. Clare
Services: Fanore, Co. Clare
Dist/Time: 14.5km/3-4hrs
Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Mix of minor roadways and green roads
To Suit: Medium level of fitness
Min. Gear: Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs, rucksack, fluid, snacks, mobile phone
Download map Caher Valley Loop Walk
Trailhead: Cassidy’s Pub, Carron Village, Co. Clare
Services: Carron, Corofin (12km), Ballyvaughan (15km), Co. Clare
Dist/Time: 9km/3-4hrs
Difficulty: Difficult
Terrain: Mix of minor roads, animal tracks and green lanes
To Suit: Higher than average levels of fitness
Min. Gear: Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs, rucksack, fluid, snacks, mobile phone
Download map Carron Loop Walk
Trailhead: Opposite Cassidys Pub, Carran
Services: Services available seasonally at Carran, year round at Corrofin
Distance: 5Km
Time: 1-1.5hrs
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Short section of regional road, mostly minor country roads
To Suit: Medium levels of fitness, buggy friendly
Download map Carron Turlough Loop Walk
Time: From 30mins to 3 hrs.
Terrain: Can be uneven and quite steep in places.
These trails are not wheelchair accessible.
Green Arrow Route (Nature Trail)
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 2km
Time: 40 mins
Climb: 20m
Orange Route (Knockaunroe Turlough)
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 1.3km
Time: 30 mins
Climb: 20m
Green Route (Mullaghmor Return)
Grade: Very Difficult Remote/Upland
Distance: 4.3km
Time: 2hrs 20mins
Climb: 140m
Blue Route (Mullaghmor Loop)
Grade: Very Difficult Remote/Upland
Distance: 5.5km
Time: 2hrs 30mins
Climb: 140m
Red Route (Mullaghmor Traverse)
Grade: Very Difficult Remote/Upland
Distance: 5km
Time: 2hrs 40mins
Climb: 140m
Brown Route (Slieve Carran)
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 2.5km
Time: 1hr 30mins
Climb: 30m
Yellow Route (Slieve Carran)
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 2km
Time: 1hr
Climb: 20m
Download map Burren National Park Walks
For further information please visit Burren National Park website
Distance: 123km
Estimated Time: 5 days. Each section represents approximately a full days walking (Lehinch-Doolin/ Doolin Ballyvaugan/ Ballyvaughan Carran/ Carran-Corrofin/ Carran Tubber).
Grade: Moderate to difficult
To Suit: Average fitness, casual walkers
Minimum Gear: Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs. Rucksack, fluid, snacks, mobile phone.
Terrain: The Way follows a mix of green road, pathway, minor roadway, and grassy/rocky track, with an initial steep climb out of the Caher Valley and steep descent to Feenagh Valley.
Trailheads: Lahinch, Doolin, Lisdoonvarna, Ballyvaghan, Carran, Corrofin and Tubber.
Trailhead 1 – Lahinch. Located on the coast, Lahinch is 3km west of Ennistymon on the N67.
Trailhead 2 – Doolin. Doolin village is located on the R479, off the N67, and 8km from the Cliffs of Moher.
Trailhead 3 – Lisdoonvarna. The town of Lisdoonvarna is located approximately 34km north of Ennis on the N67.
Trailhead 4 – Ballyvaughan. The village of Ballyvaughan is located on the N67 and is 39km from Ennis.
Trailhead 5 – Carran. The village of Carran is located between Ballyvaughan and Corrofin approximately 3km to the East of the R480.
Trailhead 6 – Corrofin. The village of Corrofin is located on the R476 between Ennis and Lisdoonvarna and is approximately 13km from Ennis.
Download map Burren Way
A walk that’s mostly off road between Fanore and Ballyvaughan taking you on the old famine road around Blackhead.
Duration: 5-6 hrs
Suitable for: High levels of fitness
Access: Green roads, minor roadways, woodland tracks
Download map Fanore to Ballyvaughan Trek
Download map Ennistymon Historic Town Walk Map
Walk the Cusack Way – Starting at the Michael Cusack centre in Carron, there is a 6km linear walk which leads to the Cahercommaun Cliff Fort through stunning Burren landscape. For more information go to Michael Cusack Centre
Walking Experiences
Wild Kitchen Foraging Walks – Walk and forage the Burren with Oonagh O’Dwyer from Wild Kitchen. She also offers walks along the seashore of the Burren, picking edible seaweed and offers workshops on cooking in her kitchen in Lahinch. More information go to Wild Kitchen
Burren Farm Experience – Join your hosts Cathal O’Rourke, a fifth-generation farmer and his wife Bronagh, conservation ranger & regional eco tour guide, to explore their working family farm in the Burren. Your guides will take you on hikes through lunar-like landscapes, ancient woodlands and archaeological sites. Learn about the ancient farming practice of transhumance that helps conserve and protect the landscape and try forest bathing in the ancient woodlands. For more information go to Burren Farm Experience
Burren Nature Sanctuary – On the outskirts of Kinvara, on a 50 acre organic site of wildflower meadows, fairy woodlands, limestone and a disappearing lake, Burren Nature Sanctuary is an ideal introduction to the biodiversity of the Burren and a fantastic place to hike and have refreshments in the cafe afterwards. More go to Burren Nature Sanctuary
Photograph by Eamon Ward
Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk Ireland’s top visitor attraction with paved walkways and stunning views out to the Atlantic ocean and out to the Aran Islands. go to Cliffs of Moher
·
Walking Guides
Cormacs Coast – Experienced walking guide Cormac McGinley provides small walking tours of the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, focusing on geology. For more information go to Cormacs Coast
Marie’s Burren Experience Guided Walks – Experience the Burren with a native guide and find out more about this world heritage landscape. Marie will tell you about her ancestors and her family who still farm the land today. More information go to Burren Cottage
Walk with Pius – guided walks in the Burren and on the Aran Islands, with guide Pius Murray. Its an opportunity to connect with the landscape and view archaeological and sacred sites, while enjoying the breath-taking scenery of County Clare. More information go to Walk with Pius
