Limestone hills, green roads, and Atlantic edges across one of Ireland’s most distinctive landscapes
The Burren Way crosses County Clare through the Burren, a region defined by limestone pavement, dry valleys, and low rounded hills shaped by geology rather than woodland or pasture. Running from the Atlantic coast at Lahinch to Corofin inland, the route links shoreline, upland, and farmland into a continuous walking line through the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark.
Walking here is guided more by ground texture than by height. Surfaces change frequently between grassy tracks, quiet lanes, old “green roads,” and stretches of uneven limestone. Gradients are generally gentle, but the rocky terrain requires steady footing and attention. Views open widely across stone fields and low hills, with little tree cover and long sightlines in all directions.
Human settlement feels scattered and long established. Stone walls divide small fields, ring forts and tower houses appear on higher ground, and villages such as Doolin, Lisdoonvarna, and Kilfenora provide regular stopping points along the route. Services are spaced but reliable, giving the trail a measured, day-by-day rhythm.
A defining feature of the Burren Way is its movement between coast and interior. Early sections follow the Atlantic edge and pass near the Cliffs of Moher before turning inland through the limestone heart of the Burren. The shift from sea views to dry valleys and enclosed farmland marks a clear change in atmosphere and landscape character.
The appeal of the Burren Way lies in its distinctiveness. Few places in Ireland feel quite like the Burren, and the route offers a sustained journey through terrain shaped by rock, history, and long-standing rural life.
Trail Overview
Distance
Approximately 71 miles / 114 km
Typical time on foot
5–7 days
Start
Lahinch, County Clare
Finish
Corofin, County Clare
Terrain
Limestone tracks, green roads, farmland paths, minor roads, rocky sections, coastal paths, and small villages
