by booking accommodations through the site we use and love! But, there I was, traversing across the rocky terrain of a region known as the Burren. You dont have to be an avid walker to enjoy all that the Burren has to offer. There is no charge to park in the lay-by or to enter the Burren National Park. This looped walk can get pretty tough at times, but for the most part its an enjoyable stroll that takes in the amazing scenery of the Burren. For trail advice, you can contact us at theBurren National Park Information Point from April to September. You can view our entire collection of photography where you can purchase prints, housewares, and gifts made from our photos. Several walking trails of the Burren all begin in the same spot. Learn how your comment data is processed. This site includes a stone oratory, cave and holy well associated with St. Colman MacDuagh, who reputedly set up a hermitage here in the 7th century. But the incredible views and fields of wildflowers along the way are well worth the effort. Despite the lack of soil, the Burren has a vast and diverse ecosystem. Yes Please! I jammed my hip a bit, but it was definitely better than cracking my head open! The scenery around the river is absolutely beautiful, and amazingly tranquil. I thoroughly enjoyed walking in the Burren and cant wait to hit the trails again in the future. As you head inland, youll discover the amazing farmlands and forests, before meandering into the heart of the Burren. When the turlough is full, it offers an amazing contrast from the green fields surrounding it, while the rocky hills provide an awesome backdrop. Good trails throughout the walk; suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. PIN this image to Pinterest for future reference. Astop at the Burren Centre before your walk can provide you the background and information you need to fully appreciate this unique landscape. This is one of the tougher Burren walking trails, but a rewarding one, and its really well-signed. The first section of this guide tackles our favourite Burren walks, such as the Black Head Loop and the brilliant Ballyvaughan Wood Loop. Guided Walks: The National Parks and Wildlife Service offers free guided walks in Burren National Park (not in off-season). Leaving the farms behind, the scenery becomes wilder as you ascend the hill, with huge rocky sections to navigate. With proximity to both mountains and ocean, the weather is extremely changeable. YouTube Along the way you can expect fantastic views across Galway Bay and the Aran Islands, but also get up close and personal with the famous Burren limestone slabs. I loooooove the Burren! If I slipped and fell it would be easy to break a hip, leg, or even get a concussion. Patches of grass, wildflowers, and short bushes are growing between the rocks, creating pockets of colour in an otherwise drab day. A Guide To The 5-Day Burren Way Walk (Includes Map), Visiting Br na Binne: An Ancient Site Home To Newgrange, Knowth + Dowth. This method is the key to conserving the unique flora found in the region. The various Burren walks are some of my favourite, 16 Quirky Places To Go Glamping With A Hot Tub In Ireland, 17 Quirky Places To Go Glamping In Donegal In 2022 (Treehouses, Cabins + Lakeside Shacks), Aran Islands Glamping: Seaside Accommodation With Views That Pack A Punch, Where it starts: Cassidys Pub, Carron village, Where it finishes: Cassidys Pub, Carron village. From here, the trail loops back to Ballyvaughan, taking in fields strewn with the limestone slabs that the Burren is famous for. Since I only had a short amount of time, I chose the Burren National Park Nature Trail, marked by the white blazes. Before we look at the various Burren walking trails, there are a few, quick, need-to-knows to be aware of. Photo by Gabriela Insuratelu (Shutterstock). Latitude: 53.0762306 / Longitude: -8.9989296. It had rained earlier in the morning, so the sunlight reflected off the leaves and moss, coated in leftover rainwater and dew. From the crossroads, drive straight for 9.7km. This walk is serviced by our free National Park bus service during the summer months*. Eons of Irish History and Lore in the Burren. While I didnt have the time to hike the mountain (it generally takes about 3 hours to hike there and back), I am certain that the view from up there would be nothing short of spectacular. Post contains affiliate links. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Following various rural roads, the walk takes you through the mountainous farmlands that the Burren is renowned for. The walks vary from a short thirty minute loop walk to a three hour walk over limestone hills. Thats over 600 different plants and flowers growing in a space that appears unable to support much life at all. The White Arrow Route, otherwise known as the Nature Trail, is one of the shortest and easiest hikes at the Burren National Park. Hiking in the Burren, I was reminded of how forces of nature can change landscapes drastically, but if they are protected from human interference, these special places will still exude a powerful sense of what they once were. As youve probably gathered at this stage, there are plenty of Burren walking routes that you can head off on. I felt like I was on a scavenger hunt looking for those small blue trail markers! This is Slievecarran. The EU designated it as aSpecial Area of Conservation (and its on the tentative UNESCO list). Click here to see an affordable and durable pair of hiking shoes by Merrell that also happen to be vegan-friendly (and heres a mens version for the guys out there!). The trails traverse a limestone landscape which can be uneven and steep in places, so care must be taken. Ancient ring forts, exciting caves, and castles galore await you, along with a warm welcome in the various towns and villages youll stop at along the way. More than once, I descended down some stairs into a lush forest. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Then on foot, turn right, along the Crag road, Burren National Park lands are on your left. They will typically include steep slopes which can be very variable and rough underfoot. Other towns that would be convenient for exploring the Burren are Corofin, Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna, Ballyvaughan, and Ennistymon. Burren National Park Information Point: The parks information centre is in the village of Corofin, at the Clare Heritage Centre. Though the official website grades the Nature Trail as moderate, Id go as far to say that its an easy walk. The directions may sound vague, but it was very simple to find the entrance to the Burren National Park. Please park in the lay-by not on the crag road to avoid damage to the vegetation. The following Burren walking trails take in Atlantic coastlines, moody mountains, ancient forests, bogs, and huge swathes of grassland. The turlough on this walk is in fact the largest in Europe. From here you begin to climb up the valley, on a stunning green lane arguably the highlight of the walk. One of the most interesting sights was theMullaghmore Mountain in the distance. Even so, I had a few big slips but was able to save myself from falling. The Burren covers a vast area of ever-changing scenery. To start the hike there was a somewhat defined path to follow, but it wasnt a typical dirt hiking trail. [mapsmarker marker=784 width=800 widthUnit=px height=400 panel=false]. Beautiful views of Eagles Rock cliff. Location: Burren National Park is located in the south-eastern area of the Burren, in north County Clare. This is not what I expected to see in Ireland. Heaps of loose boulders are scattered across stepping-stones of smooth pavement, eroded and polished from years of glaciation. Walking Trails in Burren National Park: There are 3 way-marked routes that go to the summit of Mullaghmore hill (all rated very difficult), and two shorter, easier routes that stay near the parking lot. Next you come across Gleninagh mountain. Youll encounter flat masses of gray, limestone rock. In fact, theres a whole treasure trove of things to see and do, and you dont need to do one of the Burren walking trails above to experience the area at its best. In fact, the Burren Coast is part of the Wild Atlantic Way, with its characteristic limestone rocks and wildflowers stretching between Doolin and Ballyvaughan. I was so glad I decided to press on because the scenery kept getting better the further I walked. INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS. It costs nothing extra and helps support this website. Slievecarran is 8.7km from here. Delight in holy well and a tea room. This loop is a mix of Burren hill and coast, following green laneways, tracks, and mountain paths and taking in Fanore Beach, the Caher Valley and part of Gleninagh Mountain with some wonderful views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. That way, I wouldnt add any additional steps or time making my way back to the car. Some rough terrain with loose rock; suitable footwear is required. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Carron Turlough Loop (1.5 hours), the Ballyvaughan Wood Loop (2 hours) and the Dromore Wood Loop (2 hours) are some of the shorter Burren walks that are well worth doing."}}]}. The Burren most certainly is not the rolling green fields Id come to associate with Ireland. Mullaghmore Loop (Blue Route): This is the route I did. There are so many things to do in the Burren! The trail crosses Slieve Rua and descends onto an old famine road at Coolorta. At the bottom of the hill, I looked up at where I just came from. Dress in layers and bring rain gear because the weather can change fast. The Mullaghmore Loop trail was rated very difficult, the constant rain and wind an added challenge. Each trail is signposted with colour-coded markers. Everything shimmered and glowed. Drive through Kilinaboy and as far as Leamaneh Castle. It was quite steep and I had to really concentrate, carefully choosing where to step. I also had a whistle-compass combination attached to my backpack and made note of the emergency phone number, just in case. The dramatic Cliffs of Moher are technically part of the Burren, a famous sight that you shouldnt miss on a trip to Ireland. The top of the hill features the famous Burren limestone paving, worn down and rugged over the centuries. Admission is free. Its the opposite of what I usually look for in a hiking destination. Starting along the coast path, you can enjoy gazing out over Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. You will see a parking area on the right. Media Kit Youll find 70% of Irelands native plant species in the Burren. For me, one of the best ways to really experience the Burren is to explore it on foot and, in the guide below, youll find my favourite Burren walks. The walks vary from a short thirty minute loop walk to a three hour walk over limestone hills. Walking on, ocean views open up before you, showcasing the Aran Islands and the glimmering Galway Bay. We exist to make planning your Irish Road Trip easy.

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