recommended route
The Burren Loop Walk
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Walking through the BurrenPhoto: Josiah Skeats, Macs Adventure
A loop walk through a variety of landscapes, including the unique and picturesque region of the Burren. Expect great views into the mountains and out to sea.
The word ‘Burren’ comes from the Irish word, Boíreann, which means ‘a rocky place’ and it's not hard to guess why it was so named. To compare the Burren to the moon is too easy, and yet that is the image this barren lunar landscape constantly conjures up. In 1651 an army officer, Ludlow, said ‘there is not enough water to drown a man, wood enough to hang one, nor earth enough to bury one’. There is but a thin layer of topsoil that clings to the cracks of the limestone pavement, and here you will find heather and bracken and an entire rainbow’s spectrum of wildflowers that make spring and summer a beautiful time to be exploring.
The first section of the walk is along famine relief roads – roads built to create work during the Great Famine so people would have enough money to fend off starvation – and offers great views across the limestone pavement and out to sea, reaching the Aran Islands and across Galway Bay. The path then turns right climbing steeply up and across the shoulder of Cappanawalla Mountain before dropping into the Caher Valley to walk back beside the Caher river.
Author’s recommendation
With great views on a nice day, and lots of rocks to sit on, today is a great day to bring a picnic!
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
There is a long section where you must walk on a road with no pavement. Walk on the right-hand side facing the oncoming traffic unless there is a right-hand bend, where you should cross to the outside edge to allow drivers the maximum chance to see you.
The path is very rocky today and can be slippery, and even more so when wet; take caution.
There is a metal bridge that can be slippery; make use of the handrail provided.
Tips and hints
Points of Interest
Caher Bridge Garden
Discover this delightful and innovative garden surrounding a restored stone riverside cottage.
More information available here: https://www.discoverireland.ie/Arts-Culture-Heritage/caher-bridge-garden/76427
Doolin Cave
Nearby you can explore Doolin Cave which has the largest stalactite in Europe, ‘hanging from the ceiling like a chandelier… formed from a single drop of water over thousands of years.’
More information available here: https://doolincave.ie/
Food and Drink
There are no opportunities to buy food or drink during this walk, so bring everything you need.
There is a pub and a café in Fanore, near where you start this walk.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
0.00km - Start at the junction to the gravel road, with holiday cottages on your right. Follow the gravel road, ignoring a right turn after 50 metres. There isn’t much parking available at the start point, however there are several lay-bys for parking nearby.
0.41km – As the gravel roads bends right around someone’s house and farm buildings TURN LEFT to cross a stone stile (steps over a fence or wall) and continue along the grassy path with hedges and brambles on either side. There is a sign directing hikers this way for the Black Head Loop and Fanore to Ballyvaughan.
0.67km – CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON over a stone stile to the left of the gate. Continue along the track for 1.23 kilometres, crossing a further stile on the way.
1.90km – BEAR RIGHT as the path forks to continue between two dry walls and steadily uphill, ignoring the left hand track that crosses through a gap in the dry wall and heads downhill.
2.60km – CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON crossing a stile over the right side of the gate. After a rocky climb ignore the narrow track that climbs steeply to the right and continue following the signposts for Black Head Loop.
4.00km – The path forks briefly but the two sides come together again; it is probably better to BEAR LEFT as it is less boggy.
4.60km – A wall appears in front of you blocking the path. CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON over it. There is no real stile but it is low enough that you can step over. After 200 metres there is another small wall you must CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON over.
5.10km – Once you are through a gap in the dry wall, immediately BEAR RIGHT to head uphill on a narrow rocky track. This turning is signposted. After 50 metres pass through another gap in the dry wall and then immediately TURN LEFT. This path is narrow and overgrown and continues beside the dry wall for 2.1 kilometres.
5.80km – CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON across the bridge over a stream. The metal bridge can be slippery so use the handrail provided.
7.20km – After passing a gap in the dry wall BEAR RIGHT to head uphill ignoring the gate on your left. This is the start of a steep climb.
7.90km – Cross through the gap in the wall and then TURN LEFT to walk beside the wall on a grassy path as directed by a sign. Ignore the main gravel road ahead. After 300 metres there will be a hump of land on your right and a dry wall in front; cross the wall using a stone stile, and then BEAR RIGHT to head uphill to that hump.
8.30km – The path disappears. The signposts are fairly regular so if the weather is clear you should be able to see from one to the other. If visibility is restricted remain on the flatter swathe of land keeping the dry wall on your left and the hump of land on your right, and check the map regularly to ensure you continue in the right direction.
8.70km –BEAR RIGHT to follow the gravel path as it heads away from the dry wall. Follow the regular signposts.
9.00km – Go over the stile and CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON the path. There is another stile after 900 metres, after which you CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON to head downhill.
10.70km - CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON as the path goes through 3 gates in quick succession, and then after a short uphill for 200 metres, TURN LEFT away from the gate and towards the house on the wide gravel road.
11.80km – As the road becomes paved TURN RIGHT onto a gravel road heading uphill following signs for Burren Way Walking Route and Black Head Loop.
12.80km – On your left you will pass the Fort of the High Door. It is probably the only fort that had a chapel and a shebeen (pub) inside together. CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON heading downhill.
13.60km – When you reach the paved road at the bottom of the valley. TURN RIGHT and continue along the road for 3.9 kilometres. Ignore the left turn after 50 metres even though the hiking signs are directing you to turn left here. This stretch is along a narrow section of road. Little traffic uses this road but stay alert nonetheless. Walk on the right-hand side facing the oncoming traffic unless there is a sharp right bend in which case you should cross to the outside edge.
17.50km - At the T-junction with the river on your right, TURN RIGHT to walk along the road.
17.90km – Finish at the gravel junction where you began.
Note
Coordinates
Equipment
Sturdy hiking boots, warm clothes, and a waterproof/wind-break layer are all required. The weather can change quickly so be sure to take all equipment even if the weather looks okay.
This walk is isolated with no opportunities to buy food or water so be sure to bring enough with you.
Questions and answers
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