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The Cliffs of Moher and the Atlantic from above, County Clare

Cliffs of Moher Walking Tour

Walk the cliff path from the visitor centre to Doolin, then keep going across the Burren to Galway Bay. Self-guided, 5 to 7 days, from €655.

Most people see the Cliffs of Moher from a viewing platform. You'll walk them. On our self-guided Burren Way holidays you follow the cliff path from the visitor centre north to Doolin: 200-metre drops on your left, seabirds on every ledge, the Aran Islands out on the horizon. Then you keep going, across the Burren to Galway Bay, with your luggage moved ahead of you each day.

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5, 6 or 7 days, from €655 per person

explore

Self-guided, start any day from 15 April to 15 October

hiking

Moderate grade, 11 to 19.3 km on each walking day

luggage

Included: en-suite B&Bs, breakfast, luggage transfers, transfer to the cliffs

Our Cliffs of Moher walking tours

All three of our Cliffs of Moher walking tours follow the same route: Liscannor, the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, Fanore and Ballyvaughan. Day 2 is the cliff walk on every version. What changes is how much time you give yourself.

If you'd like your own room while walking with others, the single room supplement is €220, €275 or €330 depending on the tour length. Our pick for most walkers is the 6-Day Burren Way, because the free day in Doolin is the one people tell us they're glad they had.

Self-guided or guided: which suits you?

Our Cliffs of Moher walking tours are self-guided. You walk on your own or with your group, at your own pace, using our route notes and a GPS route app on your phone. We book your accommodation, move your bags each day and are on the end of a 24/7 support line if you need us.

Self-guided suits you if you like to stop when you want to, linger over a view, or walk with just your partner or friends. Solo walkers are welcome and there's no minimum group size.

If you're coming as a group and would like a guide, we can add a Mountain Leader-qualified local guide for some or all of the days. See group walking holidays for how that works. If you only have a morning and want a short guided walk at the cliffs, local guides in Doolin run half-day walks. Our holidays are for people who want to walk the cliffs and then keep walking.

Not sure which style is right for you? Read guided vs self-guided walking holidays in Ireland.

How far is the walk, and how hard is it?

The Cliffs of Moher day is 11 km, about 4 hours of walking, with 451 m of ascent. After breakfast we drive you from Liscannor to the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre, and you walk the cliff path north to Doolin. About 8 km of that is right along the cliff top.

The full tour is graded Moderate. These are the walking days:

  • Cliffs of Moher to Doolin: 11 km, about 4 hours
  • Doolin to Fanore: 18.9 km, about 6 hours
  • Fanore to Ballyvaughan: 19.3 km, about 6 hours
  • Ballyvaughan loop and Aillwee Cave (7-day tour only): 8.6 km, about 2 hours

There's some climbing, so you should be comfortable walking several days in a row. A few months of regular walking, including some hills, is the best preparation. The cliff path is unfenced in places and the drops are sheer, so stay on the path and keep well back from the edge, especially in wind.

A note on the cliff path: one section of the official Cliffs of Moher coastal walk is currently closed. Your route notes take you around the closed section without affecting the walk, and if the closure lifts before your trip, you walk the full path. You can check the latest on the Cliffs of Moher official site.

Where you stay along the way

You stay in small, family-run B&Bs and guesthouses we've worked with for years. Every room is en-suite and breakfast is included every morning.

  • Liscannor: a small harbour village with the cliffs on its doorstep. Your first night.
  • Doolin: Ireland's traditional music village and the end of your cliff walk. One night on the 5-day tour, two nights on the 6- and 7-day tours.
  • Fanore: a quiet beach with the Burren hills behind it.
  • Ballyvaughan: on the shore of Galway Bay, where the walk finishes. Two nights on the 7-day tour.

Your main bag is moved door to door on every walking day, so you only carry a light daypack. The transfer from Liscannor to the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre on Day 2 is included.

"A deep dive into the West Atlantic of Ireland: stunning scenery, generous people, and diverse landscapes. Accommodation and food options were first class, and hosts all incredibly helpful."

Debs M., New Zealand · 6-Day Burren Way

Best time of year to walk the Cliffs of Moher

You can start any day between 15 April and 15 October.

  • April and May: in May, spring gentians turn the Burren blue. Days are long and accommodation is easier to book than in summer.
  • June and early July: orchids are out on the Burren and the light is good for photos.
  • July and August: the busiest months. Expect big crowds at the cliffs and book well ahead.
  • September: fewer crowds, often settled weather and low, clear light.

Whenever you go, pack waterproofs and a warm layer. The cliffs face straight into the Atlantic and the weather can change within an hour.

How to book

  1. Pick your tour: 5 days, 6 days or 7 days.
  2. Choose your start date: any day from 15 April to 15 October. Book at least three weeks ahead. Summer fills first.
  3. Book online: we confirm your accommodation and send your pre-departure pack three weeks before you travel.

If we can't find suitable accommodation for your dates, you get a full refund. Have a question first? Get in touch. We've walked this route many times and we're always happy to help you plan.

Cliffs of Moher walking tour questions

Can you walk the Cliffs of Moher without a guide? add_circle

Yes. The cliff path from the visitor centre to Doolin is waymarked, and on our tours you have route notes and a GPS route app. One section is currently closed, and your route notes take you around it.

How long does it take to walk from the Cliffs of Moher to Doolin? add_circle

On our tours the day is 11 km and takes about 4 hours, including about 8 km along the cliff top.

Do I need to arrange transport to the cliffs? add_circle

No. We collect you from your Liscannor accommodation after breakfast and drop you at the visitor centre. That transfer is included.

Is the walk suitable for solo walkers? add_circle

Yes. Solo walkers are welcome on every date. The solo price includes your own room and your luggage transfers.

What Our Walkers Say

★★★★★ 5.0 out of 5

Based on 12 verified reviews

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★★★★★

"We had a fabulous time walking the Barrow River Way with Walking Holiday Ireland. Beautiful scenery, wonderful B&B hosts and the detailed maps and other information provided by Cliff was most helpful. Shame we did not have the time to do a second one elsewhere in Ireland."

Steve ABE
★★★★★

"My son and I really enjoyed our Barrow Way walk. We were blessed with very good weather, and the journey gave us plenty of memorable moments together. The Woodford Dolmen Hotel was a fantastic place to begin the trip. We especially want to mention Ter Kelly - what a gem! We reall..."

★★★★★

"I was able to enjoy a wonderful walk on and around the Dingle Peninsula, thanks in no small part to the great care of Walking Holiday Ireland. The overnight stays were very good and the route information was more than adequate, including a detailed route map in a waterproof sleev..."

Paul De Marez
Belgium
★★★★★

"The Burren Way was unique and well organised from start to finish."

★★★★★

"A beautiful journey along the Beara Way with seamless luggage transfers."

★★★★★

"Excellent organisation on the Wicklow Way. Great B&Bs and clear daily routes."

Sophie Laurent
France
Wicklow Way Full 7 Days →
★★★★★

"We had a marvellous week on the 7-day Burren walk, with spectacular views and varied landscapes. Our accommodation ranged from comfortable and friendly with a good breakfast to outstanding with the best breakfast imaginable (thanks to Nicola at the Wild Atlantic Lodge in Liscanno..."

Siobhan Staunton
Ireland
★★★★★

"Cliff planned our Dingle Way trip perfectly. The app made walking easy and stress free."

★★★★★

"Connemara was stunning. Cliff handled every detail so we could enjoy the walk."

Emily Carter
USA
★★★★★

"Clear routes, welcoming hosts, and excellent planning on the Kerry Way."

Michael O'Connor
Ireland
The Kerry Way Hiking Tour 8 Days →
★★★★★

"Walking Holiday Ireland is a great outfit to work with — planning was excellent, the walking routes and distances were perfect, and every accommodation exceeded expectations. Kyle Farmhouse and the Carlow County Museum were highlights (we're not particularly museum people bu..."

Harv Babendure
USA
★★★★★

"Walking Holiday Ireland is a great outfit to work with. Their planning for our Wicklow Way and Barrow Way trip was excellent — the walking routes and distances were perfect given our limited time, and all our accommodations exceeded our expectations. Highlights were our stay at ..."

Harv Babendure
USA
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Photo credits: Cliffs of Moher with sea thrift: Karie Kuiper, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons