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.
At a glance
Length
3 tours, 5, 6 or 7 days
Price
From €655 per person
Grade
Moderate, 11 to 19.3 km a day
Start dates
Any day, 15 April – 15 October
Style
Self-guided, B&B to B&B
Included: en-suite B&Bs · breakfast · luggage transfers · transfer to the cliffs
Our Cliffs of Moher walking tours
All three 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.
5-Day Burren Way
The cliffs, the Burren and Galway Bay with no days off.
Our pick for most walkers
6-Day Burren Way
Adds a free day in Doolin for the Aran Islands ferry, a bike ride or live music.
7-Day Burren Way
Adds the Doolin day plus a Ballyvaughan loop walk and Aillwee Cave.
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.
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. 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.
The walking days
- Cliffs of Moher to Doolin11 km · about 4 hours
- Doolin to Fanore18.9 km · about 6 hours
- Fanore to Ballyvaughan19.3 km · about 6 hours
- Ballyvaughan loop and Aillwee Cave 7-day tour only8.6 km · about 2 hours
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.
The Doolin Cliff Walk: route, closures and parking
The Doolin Cliff Walk is the northern end of the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk. The full coastal walk is about 20 km, from Liscannor past Hag's Head and the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre to Doolin. The Doolin end starts in the village and heads south onto the cliffs, with the Atlantic and the Aran Islands on your right.
What's open right now. This is from the official Cliffs of Moher Experience notice of 1 August 2026:
- From Doolin you can walk as far as Surfers Path. There you turn back and return the same way. There's currently no walking access from Doolin to the visitor centre.
- The 6 km from Liscannor to the visitor centre is fully closed.
- At the visitor centre itself, about 3.5 km of safe paths are open, including about 1 km north past O'Brien's Tower.
Parts of the path have been closed since August 2024 for safety works, and no reopening date has been announced. Always check the official coastal walk page before you set out.
Parking. In Doolin, Clare County Council runs a pay-and-display car park at Doolin Pier. If you want to see the cliffs from the top as well, the visitor centre admission ticket includes parking. Don't walk on the road at Surfers Path: the official advice is that it's hazardous.
Staying safe. The cliff edge is unfenced in places and the drops are sheer. Keep to the path, never cross a wall or fence, and save the walk for another day if it's very windy.
Walking it with us. Every one of our Burren Way holidays stays in Doolin: one night on the 5-day tour, two on the 6- and 7-day tours. That means the cliff walk starts from your door.
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.
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
- 1Pick your tour: 5 days, 6 days or 7 days.
- 2Choose your start date: any day from 15 April to 15 October. Book at least three weeks ahead. Summer fills first.
- 3Book 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? expand_more
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? expand_more
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? expand_more
No. We collect you from your Liscannor accommodation after breakfast and drop you at the visitor centre. That transfer is included.
Is the Doolin Cliff Walk open? expand_more
Partly. As of 1 August 2026 you can walk from Doolin as far as Surfers Path and back. There's no access through to the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre. Check the official Cliffs of Moher site for the latest.
Where do you park for the Doolin Cliff Walk? expand_more
At the pay-and-display car park at Doolin Pier. On our holidays you don't need a car, because you're staying in Doolin.
Is the walk suitable for solo walkers? expand_more
Yes. Solo walkers are welcome on every date. The solo price includes your own room and your luggage transfers.
