A walker is spoilt for choice in County Clare. Clare is every walker’s haven, with walks to suit everyone, young and old.
Local beaches
The Bellbridge House Hotel being ideally situated, the guest has multiple choices of walking routes along sandy beaches. Our Reception Team will be on hand to offer the best beach in our locality for your enjoyment.
https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/republic-of-ireland/county-clare/top-10-beaches
Slieve Callan walk
Short hike to the top of West Clare's highest mountain. Excellent views all around on a clear day - from Mt. Brandon in the South to the Connemara Hills in the North, including the West Coast of Clare, the Aran Islands, the Silvermine Mountains in Limerick, East Clare and the Burren. Waterholes on a very few portions of the track possible, boots recommended - especially for the usually wet top of the hill. Newly installed closed gate on start of track, if you do not want to climb it take the return route both ways.
Cliffs of Moher Walk
Ideal for the seasoned walker. A stunning linear route, which takes 4.5 hours to complete.
With a remote, exposed cliff-top path, this strenuous walk requires a high level of fitness. Challenging walkers with narrow, steep ascents and descents, flagstone steps, farm tracks, local and regional road; it can be quite challenging due to the uneven surface of the cliff, but the walker is rewarded with astonishing views of the cliffs and spectacular scenery.
This trail starts/ends on road from the villages of Liscannor and Doolin, before moving onto protected paths at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. It then steps up a gear, as the trail becomes more isolated and demanding, with no barriers, handrails or seaward fencing.
Afterwards, rest and relax in one of Liscannor’s or Doolin’s welcoming pubs and cafés.
The Burren Walking Trails
There are seven way-marked walking trails in the Burren National Park and Slieve Carran Nature Reserve. The walks vary from a short thirty-minute loop walk to a three hour walk over limestone hills. Details of each of the walks are outlined below and a Walking Trails Map is available for download (JPEG 1.64MB) Each trail is signposted with colour-coded markers. The trails traverse a limestone landscape which can be uneven and steep in places, so care must be taken. Please be aware that none of these trails are wheelchair accessible. For trail advice, you can contact us at the Burren National Park Information Point from April to September.
Kilkee Cliff Walk
The Kilkee Cliff walk is a scenic 2 to 3 hour (8km) moderate loop walk along the Kilkee Cliffs starting the Diamond Rocks Café, Pollock Holes car park. This stunning walk starts from the unmissable natural swimming pools known as the Pollock Holes and passes great places of interest, a natural amphitheatre carved into the cliff face formed by the waves over thousands of years, a natural blow hole in the rock face known as the Puffing Hole and next arriving at Intrinsic Bay, named after a ship which sank along with all 14 people on board in 1836.
From here you start the return journey with a moderate to steep climb before joining the main road back to Kilkee. For a short, 4-kilometre walk, turn left here and head back towards Kilkee town. For this 8-kilometre loop walk, turn right along the coast until you come to a left turn. This road has beautiful views over the town coming down Moveen Hill taking you back to Kilkee.
Loop Head Walking Tours
Martin of Loophead Walking Tours offers guided walks on the West Clare Pensuila, to find out more visit his website: https://loopheadwalkingtours.ie
