The Burren is on part of the Wild Atlantic Way. The name comes from the Irish word ‘boireann’ meaning “rocky place”.
The Burren Way is a way-marked walking and hiking trail from Liscannor to Ballyvaughan. It passes by the famous Cliffs of Moher through a landscape dominated by Carboniferous limestone rock. This is a porous rock formed 330 million years ago from sediments of the sea and reshaped by glaciers from the last ice age. The action of water and ice over the years has resulted in the well-known bare fissured limestone pavements which represent the largest expanse of limestone paving in the world. As waterfalls on this rocky landscape, it does not drain easily but works its way down through the soluble rock to erode caves and form underground rivers and lakes.
Why not treat yourself to a well deserved short break walking tour in the Burren and experience the magic of this wonderful place for yourself.
Maybe you would like to try our Burren Bay 7-Day Tour Or 9-Days walking tour of the Burren and Western in Connemara
Prices / Dates
Price: €604 per person sharing
Single Supplement: +€311
Solo Traveller Supplement: +€50
Tour Dates: 1 May to 15 September
Tour Grade: Easy to Moderate
Accommodation: Guesthouse or B&B
Included / Excluded
- 4 nights bed & breakfast
- All accommodation is pre-booked in approved family-run guesthouses with all rooms en-suite.
- Breakfast supplied each day
- Details on restaurants and places of interest to visit along the way.
- Maps and route details
- GPX Tracks
- Luggage transfers daily while you walk with a small day pack.
- All information on trains or buses needed to get to your first accommodation in Liscannor and back at the end of the tour from Ballyvaghan.
- 24-7 Emergency Telephone support
- Transfers from point of arrival to Liscannor or from Ballyvaughan at the end of the tour.
- Packed Lunches
- Evening Meals
- Drinks and Snacks
- Personal Equipment
You have the option to arrive at Dublin, Shannon or Cork airport and travel by bus or train to Liscannor to begin your walking vacation along the Burren Way. We will supply you with the necessary timetables and information to get you safely to your first accommodation.
Overnight Liscannor
Liscannor is a popular angling and tourist village situated on the west coast of County Clare and your starting point for your walking holiday along the Burren Way. The area around Liscannor belonged in former times to the Chieftains of Corcomroe, the O’Connor’s.
From Liscannor the trail takes you along a country road that overlooks Liscannor Bay, through the farmland of Kilconnell to join a cliff path at Hags Head where the steep ground and breathtaking cliffs are home to numerous types of wildflowers and breeding seabirds. The walking trail leads you to the famous Cliff’s of Moher which reach up from the Atlantic Ocean to a height of 214m. Here you have the option to explore the fabulous new visitor's centre before continuing your journey to the village of Doolin, renowned worldwide as the traditional music capital of Ireland.
Distance: 19 km / 12 miles, Ascent: 820 m / 2460 ft, Approximate walking time: 5 / 6 hours
Overnight Doolin
Today’s route is a superb section of the walking trail that takes you through the hinterland of Ballynahown and onto the plateau of the Burren. You will traverse under Slieve Elva, the highest mountain in the area, and if you are feeling up to it, a short diversion will take you to the summit (344m).
Your descent takes you into the Caher Valley and down by the only over ground river in the Burren, the Caher River. Along the way, you will have fantastic views back to the Cliffs of Moher and across the Atlantic Ocean to the Aran Islands.
Distance: 22.5 km / 13.5 miles, Ascent: 852 m / 2556 ft, Approximate walking time: 6 / 7 hours
Overnight Fanore
Almost all of today’s walk takes you on old quiet country roads that loop around Black Head. You will enjoy some superb views over Galway Bay, the Aran Islands and across to the Connemara Mountains in County Galway.
Your day will finish in Ballyvaughan, a quiet fishing port on the southern shores of Galway Bay. The harbour village grew in response to the trade-in turf from Connemara, making it the capital of Clare in Victorian times. Ballyvaughan is rich in evidence of man's presence from prehistoric times through the famine era and is still a thriving village community today.
The walking route today takes you past Newtown Castle, which is a 16th century fortified tower house built for a branch of the O’Briens but passing into the possession of the powerful local O’Loghlen clan.
Distance: 20 km / 12 miles, Ascent: 755 m / 2265 ft, Approximate walking time: 4 / 5 hours
Overnight Ballyvaughan
After a hearty breakfast, you will depart for home.
