How To Do The Cliffs Of Moher Coastal Walk
The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk is one of the most beautiful walks in Ireland.
Located directly on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher are a stunning example of the natural beauty of the Emerald Isle.
In this guide, we are going to outline exactly how you can do the Cliffs of Moher coastal walk when you visit Ireland.
We explain how to get to the Cliffs of Moher, how to successfully complete the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk and give you handy tips for visiting the famous cliffs.
So, let’s dive into: How to do the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk
Disclaimer - this blog post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission, if you make a purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).
Cliffs of Moher Overview
Found at the Southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, the Cliffs of Moher are one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Ireland.
Spanning approximately 9 miles (14km), the Cliffs reach as high as 120m above sea level at the Southern End and an impressive 214 metres high just North of O’Brien’s Tower.
The sheer size and expanse of the Cliffs of Moher make them one of the best places to visit along the Wild Atlantic Way. The cliffs are one of the most fun activities in Ireland, attracting around 1.5 millions visitors annually.
From the Cliffs, it is possible to look out across the Aran Islands in Galway Bay.
The Cliffs of Moher have featured in a number of films and TV series across the years, most famously perhaps in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Cliffs of Moher
Where to stay near the Cliffs of Moher?
Glasha Meadows B&B
If you’re looking for the best place to stay near the Cliffs of Moher, look no further than Glasha Meadows. Glasha Meadows is a family run B&B (Bed and Breakfast) in the cute little town of Doolin, only a 10-minute drive from the Cliffs of Moher.
The newly refurbished rooms at Glasha Meadows give the B&B a lovely homely feel. The B&B is only a 2-minute drive from the wonderful Doolin Cave which itself is a fascinating place to explore along the Wild Atlantic Way.
How to get to the Cliffs of Moher?
The Cliffs of Moher are found 2 hours South-west of Galway and 1.5 hours North-west of Limerick. The roads leading to the Cliffs of Moher form part of the famous Wild Atlantic Way, so be sure to take plenty of stops along the way.
Visiting the Cliffs of Moher by Car
The best way to visit the Cliffs of Moher is to hire a car and explore the Wild Atlantic Way the way it was intended, on the road. The Wild Atlantic Way is renowned as being one of the most beautiful roads in the world and the Cliffs of Moher are undoubtedly one of the main highlights.
If you’re travelling from the Galway direction, you need to follow the N6 road to Kilcolgan, before taking the N67 and R478 to the Cliffs. The journey is likely to take just under 2 hours from Galway.
If you’re looking for the best car rental prices in Ireland, you need to search on RentalCars.com - they are renowned for having the cheapest car rental rates and it is significantly easier to hire a car online and pick it up once you arrive in Ireland, rather than trying to arrange a car rental at the airport.
Visiting the Cliffs of Moher by Bus
Public transport around Ireland is generally a bit hit-or-miss but having said that, it is possible to get a public bus to see the Cliffs of Moher.
The Bus Eireann Route 350 runs a daily service from Galway directly to the Cliffs of Moher - you can see the timetable here. An adult single fare to the Cliffs of Moher starts from around €17.
One of the highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way
Visiting the Cliffs of Moher through an Organised Tour
There are a number of different organised tour options to consider for visiting the Cliffs of Moher. Underneath we have highlighted a few of the options through GetYouGuide, our favourite way to find tours when travelling.
Cliffs of Moher Day-tours from Galway:
From Galway: Full-Day Cliffs of Moher and Sightseeing Tour (8 hours)
From Galway: Full-Day Cliffs of Moher & Burren Tour (8.5 hours)
From Galway: Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher Tour with Cruise (10 hours)
Cliffs of Moher Day-tours from Dublin:
From Dublin: Cliffs of Moher, Kilmacduagh Abbey & Galway Day Tour (12 hours)
From Dublin: Cliffs of Moher and Galway Full-Day Trip (12-13 hours)
Cliffs of Moher Day-tours from Cork:
From Cork: Cliffs of Moher (and more) Full-Day Tour (10 hours)
Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk
The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk stretches for approximately 11 miles (18km) from the Moher Tower at Hag’s Head in the South, all the way to Doolin in the North.
While the majority of visitors to the Cliffs of Moher do not complete the entire Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk, it is possible to do a good stretch of the hike.
Underneath we have outlined the two most popular ways to do the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk.
Cliffs of Moher - one of Ireland’s highlights
Option 1 - Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre Walk
The most expensive of the two options for completing the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk is to arrive at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre (found here) on Ballard Road. To park in the visitor centre it is €10 per person, but it gives you direct access to the Cliffs, as well as access to the visitor centre and the Atlantic Edge Exhibition.
From the Visitor Centre, it is a simple 5-minute walk to the edge of the Cliffs and then you can begin the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk in either direction.
If you head South along the cliffs from the Visitor Centre, it takes between 1 and 1.5 hours to reach the Moher Tower at Hag’s Head.
Option 2 - Cliffs of Moher Liscannor Walk
Alternatively, if you do not want to pay €10 per person for the convenience of arriving directly at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, it is possible to park in the little village of Liscannor and begin the coastal walk from there.
This option will only cost you €3 to park your vehicle. There is a small car park outside a local’s house with an honesty box alongside where you can pay your parking fees.
Honesty box at the Liscannor Car Park
From the car park, you take a left and head up the farming road towards Moher Tower at Hag’s Head. It only takes about 10 minutes to reach the tower and then you begin the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk from there.
From Moher Tower, it will take you between 1 and 1.5 hours to reach the official Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre.
The Liscannor Car Park can be found here.
Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk Car Park
How long do you need to visit the Cliffs of Moher?
The Cliffs of Moher can easily be visited in one day and if you are strapped for time, they can easily be explored in a morning or afternoon.
It is likely that your drive to the Cliffs themselves will take up the majority of the time it takes to visit the Cliffs of Moher. Once you arrive however, you can simply walk to the cliffs, take a few photos and leave less than 10 minutes later.
Obviously we wouldn’t recommend taking this approach unless you are really strapped for time - instead, it is best to factor in a few hours at the Cliffs. This will give you plenty of time to explore the coastal walk and get those all important instagram shots.
If you’re feeling brave and want to complete the entire 18km stretch of the coastal walk from Hag’s Head to Doolin (36km round-trip), then you will likely need the entire day. Unless of course you are able to organise for somebody to drop you off at one end and pick you up at the other.
Our van parked in Liscannor Car Park
Tips for Visiting the Cliffs of Moher
It can be very windy at the Cliffs of Moher due to their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean - be prepared by bringing an extra layer or two with you on the hike.
Stick to the designated paths - water and wind erosion has caused much of the cliff edge to become unstable and dangerous. While there are remnants of the old walking trails very close to the edge of the cliffs, we would recommend sticking to the designated paths to ensure you remain safe.
There are North and South Viewing Spots along the Cliffs of Moher coastal walk so be sure to try to visit both to get the best views of the cliffs.
The Visitor Centre is home to the 2 cafes so if you are in need of a refreshment after visiting the cliffs, you know exactly where you need to be heading.
July and August attract the biggest crowds to the Cliffs of Moher so if you want to avoid lots of people, it is best to try and plan to visit during the off-peak season, or alternatively try to arrive as early on in the day as possible
There we have it folks, a conclusive round-up of how to do the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk. We hope this article has prepared you for your visit to the famous cliffs.
