7 days
Duration
Easy to Moderate
Difficulty
Ireland
Location
March-October
Availability

Walk The Burren Way along Ireland’s wild Atlantic coastline and experience nature in its purest form

Cross the distinctive and moon-like Burren landscape, the largest expanse of limestone paving in the world

Discover ancient Neolithic and early Christian monuments, fascinating caves and underground rivers

Take the ferry to Inishmore and visit the Stone Age Fort of Dun Aonghasa

Experience traditional Irish music sessions in Doolin, the world-renowned traditional music capital of Ireland


The Burren Way

Self-guided walking holiday with luggage transportation

This 7-day hiking trip follows The Burren Way walking trail along Ireland’s wild and rugged Atlantic west coast. As well as exhilarating walking, you will enjoy a fantastic mix of spectacular scenery, inspirational music, tradition, heritage and ‘craic’. You will discover the unique lunar landscape of the Burren National Park, the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher and the Gaelic-speaking Aran Islands.

The word “Burren” comes from an Irish word “Boíreann” meaning a rocky place. You will soon understand why, when you witness the vast expanse of exposed limestone stretching for miles around you. Despite its barren appearance, however, it is also known as ‘The Fertile Rock’, due to its rich treasury of rare wild flowers. Over the years, rain falling on this karst limestone landscape has worked its way down through the soluble rock to erode caves and form a network of underground rivers and lakes. You will have the opportunity to witness some of these with a visit to the Aillwee Cave during your final walking day.

7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS €799 per person sharing
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT An additional single supplement charge will apply to walkers booking single accommodation (a room for one person).
ACCOMMODATION The B&Bs on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, comfort and character. They all offer a warm Irish welcome to walkers, as well as a hearty breakfast to set you up for your day ahead.
AVAILABILITY You can start this trip on any day of the week, except Saturdays, between mid-March and mid-October.
INCLUDED
6 nights accommodation in comfortable en-suite rooms
6 breakfasts
Luggage transfers while you walk
Detailed walking notes & maps
GPS tracks
Pre-departure information pack
NOT INCLUDED
Flights
Travel Insurance
Lunches & dinners
Transport to Liscannor or from Ballyvaughan
Ferry to/from Inishmore
DIFFICULTY / TERRAIN The difficulty level of this tour is rated as easy to moderate overall. The Burren Way follows a mix of mainly Green Roads (old cattle drover’s roads), pathways, old roadways and minor roads.

 

1

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive in Liscannor/Lahinch and overnight.

Liscannor is a small seaside village situated on the west coast of County Clare and an ideal starting point for the Burren Way. Neighbouring village Lahinch has an excellent beach and is a very popular surfing spot. Public transport information will be provided with your information pack.

Overnight in either Liscannor or Lahinch, depending on availability.

2

Day 2: Liscannor to Doolin via the Cliffs of Moher

Distance: 18 km | Ascent: 450 m | Approximate walking time 5 hrs 30 min

Starting from Liscannor, you initially follow a country road overlooking Liscannor Bay, then through the farmland of Kilconnell to join the cliff path at Hags Head. A narrow path then winds along the awesome Cliffs of Moher as they rise over 200 vertical metres from the raging ocean below. This path is quite undulating but, on a clear day, you will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views over the Aran Islands and the hills of Connemara beyond.

Overnight in the lively seaside town of Doolin and be sure to take in a music session in the town renowned as the traditional music capital of Ireland.

3

Day 3: Visit to Aran Islands

Loop walk or cycle on Inishmore

Take the morning ferry from Doolin to Inishmore (Inis Mór in Irish), the largest and most popular of the Gaelic-speaking Aran Islands. A gentle coastal walk takes you past a colony of local seals to the Stone Age round Fort of Dun Aonghasa, spectacularly located atop the vertical sea cliffs. It is now a semi-circle as half of it has been swept into the sea.

If you wish to see more of the island then cycling is a good option as the island is relatively flat and the roads are extremely quiet. You can rent bicycles from right next to the ferry port.

You will have a chance to purchase a traditional Aran sweater in the port village of Kilronan before taking the ferry back to Doolin.

4

Day 4: Doolin to Fanore

Distance: 18 km | Ascent: 270 m | Approximate walking time 6 hrs

Today’s walk takes you onto the plateau of the Burren itself and traverses under Slieve Elva, the highest mountain in the area. Some road walking initially, along rural Irish roads called “boreens”. This is followed by rugged terrain along deserted hill paths and tracks, all the time with fantastic views back towards the Atlantic Ocean.

Overnight in the tiny seaside village of Fanore, where a warm welcome is sure to await you.

5

Day 5: Fanore to Ballyvaughan

Distance: 20 km | Ascent: 300 m | Approximate walking time 5 hrs 30 min

Today’s walking is mostly along quiet country roads that loop around Black Head and a small cliff-top lighthouse, from where you again enjoy magnificent views over Galway Bay across to the Connemara Mountains. The track joins an old path taking you through the Gleninagh Valley and past the 16th century Newtown Castle before arriving in Ballyvaughan.

Overnight in Ballyvaughan, a quiet fishing port on the southern shores of Galway Bay.

6

Day 6: Ballyvaughan Wood Loop

Distance: 9 km | Ascent: 40 m | Approximate walking time 3 hrs

A circular trail, starting and finishing in Ballyvaughan. The first section goes through a network of small fields dotted with wildflowers and ancient Ringforts and with the distinctive stone walls of the Burren forming ancient field systems. You can take a slight detour to Ailwee Cave, one of the oldest caves in Ireland, with passages of more than 1km.

7

Day 7: Departure

Depart Ballyvaughan


Getting to Lahinch

/ If arriving at Dublin Airport, you can take a direct Citylink bus to Galway (2hrs 30mins). Buses are available from Galway to Lahinch (2hr 20mins). Alternatively, you could take a train from Dublin city centre (Heuston Station) to Ennis (approx. 3 hrs) and then a bus from Ennis to Lahinch (30 mins approx.). The Bus Eireann and Irish Rail websites have info on timetables and fares.
If arriving at Shannon Airport you can take a direct bus to Lahinch (2hrs 25mins).

Getting from Ballyvaughan

Take the public bus to Galway (1hr). See website links above for information. Once you are in Galway you can take the Citylink bus to Dublin Airport (2hrs 30mins), or a bus to Shannon Airport  (1hr 40mins).
The Burren Way at the Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare
Walking the cliff path along the Cliffs of Moher
O'Brien's Tower at the Cliffs of Moher
The colourful houses of Doolin village
The Doolin to Aran ferry
The Karst landscape of the Burren on Ireland's Atlantic Coast
Aerial view of Inishmore, largest of the Aran Islands
Dun Aonghasa stone fort, Inishmore
Diving at the 'worm hole' on Inishmore
Horses on Inishmore
Kilronan harbour, Inishmore
Boats on the beach on Inishmore
The Burren karst landscape

Tour Reviews

5.00 based on 1 review
30/06/2019

Skøn tur, dejlig natur, venlige og imødekommende mennesker, dejlige b&b steder, fantastisk musik i Fanore søndag aften, stor hjælp og venlighed fra Cecilie hos Wildrover.

Leave a Review

Rating