recommended route
Alternative: Liscannor to Doolin
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Cliffs of MoherPhoto: Sally Thompson, Macs Adventure
A beautiful coastal path along the impressive cliffs of Moher with outstanding views.
Important: the coastal walk to Doolin is officially closed by Clare Local Development Company due to safety issues along the route from the Cliffs of Moher Visitor's centre to Doolin. Work is being done to make it safer and this is ongoing and taking longer to complete than originally thought.
The re-route takes you away from the cliff edge. You need to walk on the main road for approximately 3km. Since there are not as many visitors as usual because of Covid-19 travel restrictions the road should not be too busy and there are no blind curves. This is the only other option for walking to Doolin, avoiding the cliffs.
Walk out of Liscannor past fields and farms on tarmac roads with some little ascents. When you reach the Cliffs of Moher coastal path the route turns into a smaller trail. You have a lot of viewpoints along the way and will enjoy the awesome cliffs. Around the visitor centre the path might be a little bit busy because of the tourists that come just to see the cliffs. You will then need to find the main road which you will walk along for about 3km, then turning off onto a "green road". Follow the GPS tracks all the way into Doolin.
Author’s recommendation
Take your time and stay a while at the cliffs when you find a good place to stop. Around the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center it gets busier, so a good recommendation is to pause a few kilometers before or in front of the visitor center. If you don't feel comfortable walking on the path close to the edge there is another route behind a fence, that goes parallel to the original way. You will see it. Please take care of the fence as it may be electric.
Track types
Safety information
Be careful, pay close attention to your footing and do not go to close to the edge of the cliffs. If it's windy it would be better to stay on the optional path behind the fence. When you are walking on the tarmac roads, there are no pavements, so be careful with the traffic and walk on the opposite side of the road. Take particular care when walking along the main road.
Tips and hints
There is a Bus Stop for Eireann Bus in Liscannor, Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center and Doolin. If you don't feel comfortable to walk the whole route you can use the bus for skipping some parts. See the timetable for Bus No. 350. http://www.buseireann.ie/timetables/1477574876-350.pdf
In Liscannor there is a bakery and a gas station where you can buy some snacks and drinks for the walk. Please note that there is no supermarket
Point of Interest:
Title:
Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center
Summary:
During your walk you will pass the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center. Here you can find a toilet and opportunities to buy some snacks and drinks.
Description:
One of Ireland’s most famous sights, the Cliffs of Moher are entirely vertical and the cliff edge is abrupt. On a clear day the views are tremendous, with the Aran Islands etched on the waters of Galway Bay. From the cliff edge you can just hear the booming far below as the waves crash and gnaw at the soft shale and sandstone.
With a due-west exposure, sunset is the best time to visit - Lonely Planet
Weblink:
https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/plan-your-visit/things-to-do/visitor-centre/
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
0.00 km - With your back to the accommodation TURN RIGHT and follow the main street. Take care of the traffic (left-hand traffic). Continue STRAIGHT ON down the main street. There is a gas station to your left.
1.00 km - TURN LEFT into the L1068 road. There are signs for Liscannor mobile home park, Injury Clinic & Pilates and Pak’s Cottage.
1.10 km - TURN LEFT and follow the direction to Liscannor mobile home park (You will see waymarkers here). You are walking through a neigbourhood on a tarmac road.
1.50 km - Follow the street, that curves right and go STRAIGHT ON.
2.50 km - You reach the edge of a little cliff. The water is to your left-hand side. Keep STRAIGHT ON and follow the street. At 2.90km there is an infopoint and viewpoint to your left-hand side. You'll find some information about John Philipp Holland and Liscannor on it.
3.10 km - The road curves right, keep STRAIGHT ON on following it with the sea to your left-hand side.
4.30 km - You will reach a junction. TURN SHARP LEFT and you will see a waymarker for Burren Way to your left-hand side. Go STRAIGHT ON.
6.00 km - TURN RIGHT. Here there is a waymarker for Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk Car Park.
6.50 km - When you see the two metal gates infront of you TURN LEFT.
6.70 km - You can see the car park to your left-hand side. The street changes into a gravel path. Keep going STRAIGHT ON and follow the track.
7.30 km - You reach two metal gates. Take the left one and use the little stony steps on the left side for going through the gate. Go STRAIGHT ON and you will go through two more gates in the next 500m.
7.90 km - The path is getting tighter and changes to a little single trail. Go STRAIGHT ON on the track. There is a fence on your right-hand side and the sea to your left-hand side. You have reached the Cliffs of Moher Coastal path now. Look at the beautiful cliffs but be careful and don’t step to close to the edge.
11.10 km - You will reach a field with some rocks strewn about. Just go STRAIGHT ON and cross the field. The cliffs are still to your left-hand side and a fence to your right-hand side. (There are two routes that are parallel to each other: If you feel more comfortable to walk behind the fence you don't need to use the track that is directly at the cliff's edge.)
12.20 km - The Cliffs of Moher visitor Center is to your right-hand side. From here you will need to follow the provided GPS tracks and walk along rhe main road for 3km before walking along a smaller road into Doolin.
Note
Coordinates
Equipment
If the weather is nice don't forget your sun cream and sun hut. Even though this is Ireland you can still get burnt! Take your rainproof jacket and trousers/pants with you as the weather can change in a heart beat. As you are not walking on difficult terrain we would reccommend wearing some comfortable walking shoes, but walking boots are not necessary.
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