Discover The Burren and Connemara: Two of Ireland’s Most Stunning Regions
Embark on an unforgettable journey through two of western Ireland’s most captivating landscapes: The Burren in County Clare and Connemara in County Galway. This combined tour takes you from the rugged beauty of the Burren’s limestone plateaus to the wild, mountainous charm of Connemara—an adventure that will immerse you in Ireland’s natural wonders and rich cultural heritage.
The Burren: A Geological Marvel in County Clare
The Burren is one of Ireland’s most unique landscapes, part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Spanning 360 square kilometers, this UNESCO-recognized region is a geological wonder known for its expansive limestone plateaus, deep grikes (fissures in the rock), and stunning Karst topography. The word “Burren” comes from the Irish word “boireann”, meaning “rocky place”, and it truly lives up to its name!
Why Visit The Burren?
- Breathtaking Landscapes: The Burren is an outdoor lover’s paradise, with vast limestone expanses, ancient burial sites, and breathtaking coastal views.
- Rich Flora and Fauna: Despite its rugged appearance, the Burren is home to a surprising variety of plant species. Rare wildflowers and plants from Arctic, Mediterranean, and Alpine climates grow side by side, making the region a botanist’s dream.
- The Burren Way: This marked walking trail stretches from Liscannor to Ballyvaughan, passing near the famous Cliffs of Moher. Along the way, you’ll encounter ancient stone structures, scenic viewpoints, and an ever-changing landscape shaped by time and nature.
Connemara: Ireland’s Wild Heart
Located in County Galway, Connemara is a wild, untamed region that boasts some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery. From the rugged peaks of the Twelve Bens mountain range to the tranquil lakes and winding coastal roads, Connemara offers a striking contrast to the Burren’s limestone landscape.
Why Visit Connemara?
- Stunning Mountain Views: The Twelve Bens and Maumturks mountain ranges offer incredible hiking opportunities with panoramic views of bogs, lakes, and Atlantic coastline.
- A Coastal Paradise: With Killary Harbour and the rugged shores of the Wild Atlantic Way, Connemara’s coastline is dramatic and remote. Its peaceful coves, sandy beaches, and traditional fishing villages make it a perfect place for exploration.
- Rich Irish Culture: Connemara is a living link to Ireland’s Gaelic past. The area is home to many Irish-speaking communities and vibrant cultural traditions. Don’t miss the historic Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine monastery set on a picturesque lake.
- Wildlife & Nature: The diverse landscapes of Connemara are home to a variety of wildlife, including seals, otters, and rare birds, making it a great destination for nature enthusiasts.
Why Combine The Burren and Connemara on One Tour?
Together, The Burren and Connemara offer an unparalleled combination of natural beauty and cultural heritage. The contrasting landscapes—the stark limestone plateaus of the Burren and the lush mountains and lakes of Connemara—provide a rich and varied experience of Ireland’s most breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re hiking the Burren Way, soaking in the dramatic vistas of Connemara, or discovering Ireland’s fascinating history and folklore, this tour is an unforgettable way to experience the magic of the west of Ireland.
Highlights of Your Tour:
- Walk through the surreal limestone landscapes of the Burren, past ancient dolmens and the Cliffs of Moher.
- Explore the unspoiled beauty of Connemara.
- Experience Ireland’s Gaelic heritage, with opportunities to meet locals and hear the Irish language spoken in its natural environment.
Prices / Dates
Price: €1,089 per person sharing
Single Supplement: +€565
Solo Traveller Supplement: +€110
Tour Dates: 1 May to 30 September
Tour Grade: Easy to Moderate
Accommodation: Guesthouse or B&B
Included / Excluded
- 8 nights bed & breakfast accommodation
- All accommodation is pre-booked in approved and carefully selected family-run guesthouses with all rooms en-suite.
- Breakfast supplied each day.
- Maps and route notes, both trails have been walked and checked by Christopher from Footfalls.
- 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 Leenane.
- 24-7 Emergency Telephone support
- Transfers from point of arrival to Liscannor or from Ballyvaughan to Oughterard and after the end of the tour in Leenaun.
- No luggage transfer from Ballyvaughan to Oughterard
- Packed Lunches
- 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.
Liscannor is a popular angling and tourist village situated on the west coast of County Clare and your starting point for your self guided walk 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 sea birds. The walking trail leads you to the famous Cliff’s of Moher which reach up from the Atlantic Ocean to a height of 214 m. Here you have the option to explore the fabulous new visitors' centre before continuing your journey to the village of Doolin, renowned world-wide as the traditional music capital of Ireland. You will stay overnight in Doolin.
Distance: 19 km / 11.8 miles, Ascent 820 m / 2460ft, Approximate walking time: 5 / 6 hours
Today’s walking route is a superb section of the 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 energetic, 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. You will stay overnight in Fanore.
Distance: 22.5 km / 14.5 miles, Ascent: 852 m / 2556 ft, Approximate walking time: 6 / 7 hours
Almost all of today’s walk takes you along 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 mans 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. You will stay overnight in Ballyvaughan.
Distance: 20.5 km / 12 miles, Ascent: 755 m / 2265 ft, Approximate walking time: 4 / 5 hours
Oughterard is a traditional village which is nestled beside the beautiful Lough Corrib, the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland, at the start of the Connemara Mountain Range and only 17 km from Galway City.
This walk takes you along the south-western shore of Lough Corrib, one of the great western lakes of Europe and known for its trout and salmon fishing and its myriad of islands. You will continue onto the townland of Curraun More, across the Owenree River and through the forest of Folore to join the Maam Road and your first glimpses of the breathtaking mountains of Connemara.
This is a perfect introduction to the Connemara countryside where you will see the landscape change from picturesque to truly wild. This area has largely been untouched by the modern world. You will stay overnight in Oughterard.
Complementry taxi transfer back to Oughterard.
Distance: 24 km / 15 miles, Ascent: 270 m / 810 ft, Approximate walking time: 5 / 6 hours
Complementry taxi transfer back to Maam to begin your walk.
On the first section of today’s walk, you will pass the site of the famous movie “The Quiet Man” starring John Wayne & Maureen O’ Hara, a John Ford’s classic movie filmed in 1952. You will witness the transformation of the landscape from yesterdays delightful scenery to the increasingly untamed as you walk amidst the splendour of the Mamturk Mountains (The Pass of the Pig).
The walking trail follows an old pilgrim route that rises gently between mountains at Maumean (the valley of the bird), passing St. Patrick’s Church and Holy Well as you travel. It is said that St. Patrick rested in this spot on his way to “Croagh Patrick”, a sacred mountain that you will be passing on your way to Westport.
Crossing the spine of the Mamturk Mountains you will be presented with some fantastic views in both directions, back into the Maam Valley and ahead to the “Twelve Bens” mountain range on the far side of the Inagh Valley with its stunning lake dotted with islands and a Crannog (an ancient man-made lake dwelling). You will stay overnight in Lough Inagh.
Distance: 25 km / 16 miles, Ascent: 570 m / 1710 ft, Approximate walking time: 5 / 6 hours
You depart Lough Inagh by walking directly from your accommodation via an old road that dates back hundreds or possibly thousands of years. The trail contours the base of the Mamturk Mountains passing some old ruined deserted settlements as you travel. This area is now completely uninhabited and has been since the time of the great famine of 1845.
This is one of the most remote parts of the trail where there is a sense of peace and a great distance from the bustle of modern life and its conflicts. As you descend into the village of Leenaun, some great views will open up to you of Ireland’s only fjord “Killary Fjord”. Glaciers moving off the mountains over ten thousand years ago carved this fjord from the underlying rock and were subsequently filled by the Atlantic Ocean.
Your day finishes in Leenaun, a village nestling on the shore of Killary Harbour and backed by the mountains. Leenaun was brought to fame because of the famous John B. Keane literary work “The Field”, first performed in 1965. It was adapted into a film in 1990 by Jim Sheridan. It tells the story of a family and a community torn apart by conflicts over the ownership and control of land, a theme very common in Irish history. You will stay overnight in Leenaun.
Distance: 16 km / 10 miles, Ascent: 245 m / 735 ft, Approximate walking time: 4 / 5 hours
Depart for home.
