Self-Guided Burren Way Hikes

Self Guided

The perfect way for the independent explorer to see our hidden gems & discover the many paths less travelled.

Grading

Participants need to have a good level of fitness and previous hiking experience is recommended.

Duration

Various

Price

From

€610

Per Person

AVAILABLE TOURS

Single Room Supplement (SRS) is the extra cost of single room occupancy if part of a group.
Solo Traveller Supplement (STS) is the extra cost incurred if travelling alone. The SRS is already included in the STS.

Tour

Duration

Price

SRS*

STS**

5-Day Self-Guided Burren Hike

Duration: 4 nights

Cost pps: €625

SRS:* €235

STS:** €360

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7-Day Self-Guided Burren Way and Aran Island Hike

Duration: 6 nights

Cost pps: €885

SRS:* €340

STS:** €520

View Tour

Itinerary

Day 1 - Doolin

Arrive to Doolin for the start of your holiday and enjoy some traditional Irish music in one of the local pubs.

Day 2 - Cliffs of Moher Hike

Your hike begins at the most southerly point of the famous Cliffs of Moher. From here, you hike north following a spectacular marked hiking trail which keeps you atop of these amazing cliffs. Halfway along your hike, you will have the opportunity to stop at the Visitor Centre and learn more about the geological formation of the cliffs along with the different birds that live here during the summer months. Finish your hike back in Doolin.

Total Distance : 12.50km | Total Ascent: 951m | Total Descent: 902m | Max Elevations: 179m

Day 3 - Doolin to Ballyvaughan

Leaving Doolin & hiking north, you start to see the Burren limestone landscape open up before you. Following an old “Green Road” you continue, passing an old Ring Fort, before reaching the village of Ballyvaughan.

Total Distance: 19.5km | Total Ascent: 474m | Total Descent: 567m | Max Elevations: 321m

Day 4 - Black Head Loop

Your hike today takes you around the beautiful “Black Head” offering you glorious views over Galway Bay. Hiking across the limestone slabs you start to realise the array of different flowers that are growing in the cracks and crevices of what appears to be a barren landscape.

Total Distance: 17.6km | Total Ascent: 536m | Total Descent: 528m | Max Elevations: 273m

Day 5 - Departure

Depart after breakfast by Public Bus to Galway City where you can avail of the many transport connections to all parts of Ireland.

Click here to view/download our full itinerary PDF

Day 1 - Doolin

Arrive to Doolin in County Clare, on the shores of the Wild Atlantic Way. This is where your holiday begins.

Day 2 - Cliffs of Moher Hike

Today, your hike follows a spectacular marked hiking trail from the southern end of the famous Cliffs of Moher to finish back in Doolin. The diversity along this route is wonderful and you will have time to stop at the Visitor Centre and learn more about this UNESCO Geopark if you wish.

Total Distance : 12.50km | Total Ascent: 951m | Total Descent: 902m | Max Elevations: 179m

Day 3 - Inis Mor South Loop

A ferry from Doolin Pier brings you to the largest Aran Island – Inis Mor. On arrival to the island, your hike takes you to a lovely Iron Age Promontory Fortress.

Total Distance: 8.5km | Total Ascent: 131m | Total Descent: 134m | Max Elevations: 55m

Day 4 - Inis Mor West Loop

Today you hike to the magnificent Dun Aonghasa – an amazing cliff top Promontory Fort. You will also have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Poll na bPeist or the Serpents Lair along the way. Enjoy your 2nd overnight on Inis Mor.

Total Distance: 16.70km | Total Ascent: 312m | Total Descent: 275m | Max Elevations: 99m

Day 5 - Ballinalacken to Ballyvaughan

Return to the mainland in the morning before transferring to Ballinalacken Castle – a 15th Century Tower House. From here, you will be hiking along the Burren way on an old “Green Road” to reach the village of Ballyvaughan where you spend your next 2 nights.

Total Distance: 19.5km | Total Ascent: 474m | Total Descent: 567m | Max Elevations: 321m

Day 6 - Black Head Loop

Today’s hike really immerses you into the Burren landscape of carboniferous limestone. This stunning hike offers beautiful views across Galway Bay and you will also have an abundance of flowers at your feet on this truly inspiring hike.

Total Distance: 17.6km | Total Ascent: 536m | Total Descent: 528m | Max Elevations: 273m

Day 7 - Ballyvaughan Departure

Depart from Ballyvaughan by Public Bus to Galway City. From here, you can connect with trains and buses to all major cities.

Click here to view/download our full itinerary PDF

Departure Dates

To book your tour choose your preferred Departure Date and click on Next Step.

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Location Map

Our Self-Guiding Burren Hikes explore the most unique geological landscape in the country.

Hike along the Burren Way with its unique limestone landscape and amazing flora. Enjoy this fascinating region with glorious views across Galway Bay. Visit Inis Mor the largest of the Aran Islands and immerse yourself into the rich history that surrounds you on this beautiful island.

This is a destination that offers an array of “never to be forgotten” experiences.

Choose from shorter 3 day & 5 day tour options which explore the Burren region and also the magnificent Cliffs of Moher. You will be based in County Clare for both of these holidays..

Alternatively, enjoy 7 days in this wonderful region, hiking across the Burren and also Inis Mor – the largest of the Aran Islands.

For more information about these tours & to explore all your other options please contact a member of our team here.

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

Ireland Walk Hike Bike

5.0

Based on 24 reviews

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Daphne Desimpelaere

15:52 08 Dec 22

We did discover the beautiful region of the County of Kerry (Kerry Ring Tour).Very well organized by IWHB, good communication with the team (good reactivity, and kean to find solutions and open minded, especially when we had to postpone our journey due to the COVID). The hotels/guestrooms very well choosen (good location and guests friendly). Luggage drop off to the next accomodation was a really good option. The infos were correct. We do recommend Ireland Walk Hike Bike and will travel again with them, for sure.

Brian White

22:12 28 Nov 22

Wonderful trip. Everything was planned perfectly by Ireland WBH. B&Bs were great with Irish breakfast every day to fortify us for the ride. Would love to do another bike trip with them.

David McAleavey

21:17 27 Nov 22

Our walk along parts of the Dingle Way and connected trails as organized by Ireland Walk Hike Bike was everything we had hoped for, from extremely courteous and responsive staff to useful links before the trip (including excellent exercise videos!) and a specially-designed GPS app which knew which route we were following as well as where we had gotten to. (While we also used the provided maps and cue sheets, the GPS app in itself would probably have been sufficient.) The B&Bs which we were booked into were all cozy and clean, and our luggage was handled without any problem. I would recommend this outfit (IWBH) – and I have indeed recommended it – to anyone wishing to explore the part of Ireland we encountered. IWBH also deserve credit for holding our deposit for two years of COVID delay; and I’m very glad that we could finally undertake the walk. For what it’s worth, we took the self-guided “comfort” hike, which meant that we would receive taxi rides to favorable trailheads each day. (From what we could tell, we most often avoided flat boring stretches near towns, without sacrificing more remote and interesting parts.)

Jeanne Sargent

11:56 27 Nov 22

My husband and I did a self-guided hike through a large part of the Dingle Peninsula to celebrate his 80th birthday. Naturally, we had some concerns about getting lost, having the needed stamina and wanting support along our way. Ireland Walk Hike Bike staff were there for us every step of the way. They chose excellent accommodations at very reasonable prices; taught me how to use the GPS function on my first ever smartphone and arranged transportation to and from Shannon Airport to Tralee. We met so many wonderful folks along our treks who took time from their walk to talk about their lives. It went like clockwork and have toyed with the idea of a repeat adventure if our health permits.

Carol Smith

00:56 24 Nov 22

I usually plan vacations months ahead of time but this one came together in just a few short weeks thanks to Ireland Walk Hike Bike. They worked with our rather impromptu and tight time frame to arrange a 6-day outing along the Kerry Way, and we had a magical time from start to finish. The Kerry Way is moody, broody, and incredibly varied. All arrangements were spot on, from accommodation to transport to walking notes. All we had to do was soak up the scenic rambling each day, drink a celebratory Guinness each night, and meet really interesting people along the way. Ireland captured a piece of my heart – will need to go back again with Ireland WHB to retrieve it!

What makes us differEnt?

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. “We received taxi rides to favourable trailheads, so we avoided flat boring stretches near towns, without sacrificing more remote and interesting parts.” – David USA

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. “The materials provided before and during the trip were extremely helpful. The phone app was excellent.” – Carole, USA

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. “The B&Bs were charming, very comfortable with personable hosts.” – Jack, USA

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. We do not give you generic guidebooks for your hikes. “Everything went off without a hitch. Directions and maps were great and easy to follow.” – Kelly, USA

On Tour Support – Not only do we offer you a 24/7 emergency contact support, we will also contact you regularly during your tour to see how things are going and if you have any questions for us. “I cannot praise Ireland Walk Hike Bike enough. They are just outstanding at what they do.” – Russ, UK