Walking Trails in the Burren

There’s a lovely selection of circular walking routes right across  the Burren and Ireland's Shannon Region for walkers of every ability.

These loop walks are shorter walks ranging from 1hr to 4hrs and they start and finish at the same trailhead.

The Shannon Region has a fantastic selection of loop walks which are suitable for both serious and leisurely walkers, details of which can be found below.

Ballyvaughan Wood Loop

The Burren is a limestone plateau occupying an area of over 100 square miles in North Clare. It is an area of scenic attractions where stone-grey hills and the valleys beneath reveal many prehistoric remains. The unfolding layers of limestone form terraces on the slopes of the hills and the area has been described as a 'lunar' landscape. The first section of the loop follows part of the long-distance Burren Way, climbing up towards Aillwee Cave takes you along the side of Aillwee Mountain and back down to the seaside village Ballyvaughan. This loop is part of the network of national Looped Walks and is marked using the standard purple Looped Walk directional arrows.

Black Head Loop

The Black Head Loop commences in Fanore, climbs up through Ballelly, along part of the Burren Way to the Caher Valley, crosses part of the Gleinagh Mountain and eventually decends down the R477. The loop affords some wonderful views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. This loop is part of a network of National Looped Walks and is marked using the standard purple National Lopped Walk directional arrows.

Caher Valley Loop

This loop starts and finishes in Fanore, a small village situated on the west coast of north County Clare. Fanore's Gaelic meaning "fainne oir" means ring of gold, with reference to its beautiful sandy beach. The Caher Valley runs down to Fanore between Slieve Elva and Gleninagh. It has one of the few rivers in the Burren, the Caher, which cuts its way down through the rock and glacial deposit to emerge on the strand at Fanore and enter the sea. This loop walk is part of the network of walks under the Shannon Region Trails Programme and is marked using the standard red Shannon

Carran Turlough Loop

This loop, all on tarred road, travels all around the Carran Turlough (seasonal lake), Europes largest Turlough. Buggy friendly.

Carran Loop Walk

The Burren is a limestone plateau occupying an area of over 100 square miles in north Clare. It is an area of cenic attractions where stone-grey hills and the valleys beneath reveal many prehistoric remains. The unfolding layers of limestone form terraces on the slopes of the hills - and the place has been described as a limestone desert! The unspoilt village of Carron lies in the heart of the Burren at one of the highest points in the Burren Mountains and overlooks the largest turlough (disappearing lake) in Western Europe. This loop walk is part of the network of National Looped Walks and is marked using the standard purple National Looped Walk directional arrows.

Fanore to Ballyvaughan Trek

This is a fabulous mostly off road walk between Fanore and Ballyvaughan, taking you above the R477 on the old famine road around Blackhead. The route takes you over Gleninagh mountain, into Feenagh Valley and up onto the shoulder of Capanwalla, where you can enjoy spectacular views over Galway Bay. The walk into Ballyvaughan is on quiet country roads, farmland, and through a magical Burren hazel woodland.

Burren Loop Walks

The Burren National Park is located in the southeastern corner of the Burren and is approximately 1500 hectares in size and is one of Ireland's most outstanding landscapes: a place of great beauty and fascination, steeped in history, teeming with wildlife and blessed with a rich culture and strong sense of community.