5-Day Self-Guided Burren Way Hike

Please note, at present, the Cliff of Moher Trail is CLOSED to hikers. You can still visit the Cliff Centre and see the Cliffs, but the hike is not possible. There is the potential that half the hike will be open by mid-2025. We are including a cruise along the base of the Cliffs for this day as standard if the trail remains closed.

This five-day hiking adventure along the Burren Way offers a perfect blend of dramatic coastal scenery, ancient heritage, and the unique limestone landscapes of County Clare. Arriving in Doolin, a charming village known for its lively traditional music and welcoming pubs, you’ll settle in for two nights. Your first full day takes you along one of Ireland’s most breathtaking trails—the Cliffs of Moher—where sheer rock faces drop dramatically into the Atlantic, offering unforgettable views of the Aran Islands and the wild coastline beyond.

The journey continues as you transfer to Ballinalacken Castle and hike through the ever-changing scenery of the Burren to Ballyvaughan, a picturesque harbour village where you’ll spend the next two nights. This leg of the hike introduces the Burren’s extraordinary karst landscape—rolling limestone hills punctuated by ancient stone forts, hidden caves, and rare wildflowers.

From Ballyvaughan, you’ll take on the Black Head Loop, a spectacular coastal and upland walk featuring sweeping views over Galway Bay, the Aran Islands, and the Connemara mountains. The trail winds through rocky terrain, offering a true sense of the Burren’s otherworldly beauty before returning you to Ballyvaughan for a final evening of relaxation. As you depart from this peaceful village, you’ll carry with you the memory of vast ocean horizons, rugged trails, and the mystical charm of Ireland’s western shores.

To see a short video of some of the highlights on this tour check out our YouTube channel here.

Whats Included?

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1 - Doolin
Day 2 - Cliffs of Moher Hike
Day 3 - Doolin to Ballyvaughan
Day 4 - Black Head Loop
Day 5 - Departure

Tour Map

Single Room Supplement: €235
Solo Traveller Supplement: €360

Grading

This grading is given to our Classic Walks & Self-Guiding Hikes which take you across open-mountain and bogland (wet conditions). The terrain is varied and each day will have uphill and downhill hiking, some of which may be steep. The maximum height we reach is 950 metres (3,100 feet) approx. This grade is suitable for people with a good level of fitness and capable of walking up to 20kms (12.5 miles) a day.

Highlights

Walk along the majestic Cliffs of Moher overlooking the Wild Atlantic Way

Enjoy the amazing flora, unique to this region – with Arctic, Mediterranean and Alpine plants all growing happily beside one another

Visit Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands, and hike to two ancient Promontory Forts

Gaze along the Wild Atlantic Way Coastline as you hike along the Green Road on Black Head

Why book with us?

Hiking Day Transfers

We include transfers to and from the hikes to improve your hiking experience. We remove unnecessary road sections on multiple days to maximise your enjoyment of each trail.

Overnight Locations

We have carefully selected the start and finish locations for your overnights to allow for easy access and departure by public transfers. If not, we include a transfer to/ from the nearest transfer hub.

Our Tailormade App

Our app is not just a GPS navigation tool. You will have your entire holiday in your hand. You will have easy access to your route notes, points of interest, destination details and emergency contact information.

We write our own Route Notes

Our new route notes are even easier to follow with marked maps and distances between each point. We hike and re-check the routes each year to ensure all details are up to date.

Book Now

To book your tour choose your preferred Tour Start Date and click on Next Step below the calendar.

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