Moher cliffs

Mon 31/8/26

Cliffs of Moher 

We will be going to the famous Cliffs of Moher today, but I didn't want to go to the touristy "Cliffs of Moher experience" where all the tour buses and crowds go. After some research, I decided to do the free 6.5km Cliffs of Moher walk from Doolin town to Surfers Path. We took the free Burren & Cliffs Explorer Shuttle Bus (which operates in Summer) from Lisdoonvarna bus stop opposite Spar supermarket. It was just a short walk from our apartment to the bus stop. The free shuttle bus brought us until Doolin town where we alighted and walked a bit to the Cliffs of Moher walking trail.

Although there is a sign there saying the cliff walk is closed, but do read carefully. It said the cliff walk is closed 5km ahead, so it means the 5km walk is indeed open. Just walk through the small gap at the barrier. We passed through some privately owned farms and there were friendly horses to take pictures with along the way. 

Cliffs of Moher walking trail

easy walking trail

Cliffs of Moher walking trail

friendly horses

The best view of the cliffs is nearer towards the "Cliffs of Moher experience". Be careful not to walk or stand to near the edge. At the Surfers Path, the route was totally blocked so there was no way to pass through. We thought of continuing the walk towards the "Cliffs of Moher experience", but there was a signage prohibiting pedestrians to walk on the road. We completed the Cliff walk with 5.9km distance and 176m elevation gain.

view nearer towards the "Cliffs of Moher experience"

Luckily not long after, the free Burren & Cliffs Explorer Shuttle Bus passed by our way, and 2 hikers in front of us flagged the bus, and it stopped for them, so we joined in to take the free shuttle and alighted at the "Cliffs of Moher experience" entrance. 

There was indeed so many people and tour buses here. We only spent 30 minutes here to take pictures then went back to the bus stop to take the free shuttle back to Lisdoonvarna. We then did some grocery shopping at the supermarket there and walked back to our apartment to have our packed lunch at the apartment gardens.

view from "Cliffs of Moher experience"

zoom in Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher walking trail

Burren

After resting and refreshing a bit, I decided to do the nature trail walk at Burren national park. We could take the free shuttle bus there, but we drove instead. We first went to take pictures at a few nearby castles - Newtown and Ballyporty castle.

Newtown castle

Ballyporty castle

The route to the Burren national park is surrounded by limestone hills. From a distance they looked purplish like lavender, however upon closer inspection, they are actually limestone. 

There is no proper car park, hikers parked their cars by the roadside, or took the free shuttle bus. We took the 1.9km Nature Trail (white route), packing with us scones and hot tea to have as a picnic. The trail passes through hazel woodland and open limestone pavement. There were views of Mullaghmore mountain and the Lough Gealain lake.  

Burren national park 

Burren national park

limestone hill in the distance

start with wood trail

lake in Burren national park

On the way back to the apartment, we passed by Poulnabrone dolmen tomb, three standing portal stones built by Neolithic farmers from 3800 and 3200 BC. Parking here is free. Next to it is the Caherconnell stone fort. We didn't enter the fort, just viewed from outside. Ticket is required to enter the stone fort.

We then called it a day and prepared dinner at our apartment.