How do you go to a popular tourist site, but not feel like a tourist? It’s really a challenge at times, especially since I really dislike crowds and ‘over-populated’ tourist sites. This makes being a travel blogger a bit difficult at times. When my Wild Atlantic Way road trip itinerary took me to the uber-touristy Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, I wondered if I would really like it, or if all of the people would annoy me. They say 1.5 million people visit the Cliffs of Moher each year. Ugh. So what exactly is the best way to see the Cliffs of Moher without those crowds?
Luckily Ireland Walk Hike Bike stepped in and saved me from a travel meltdown. Instead of just going to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center area to take the same photos everyone takes and fight the crowd, they suggested I hike along the Cliffs of Moher on the Burren Way trail and see much more than what people typically see, all while escaping the crowds!
I’m not suggesting you don’t go to the Cliffs of Moher, I simply think there are ways to better experience it where you’ll have fewer people to dodge and have a better overall experience.
Where are the Cliffs of Moher Located?
The Cliffs of Moher are on Ireland’s west coast right along the Wild Atlantic Way drive in County Clare. They span an area of approximately 9 miles with the Visitor Center located practically in the middle. They dip down into the Atlantic Ocean. The closest little towns are Doolin and Liscanor where you can find small B&B’s to stay at or grab some food and drink.
How Tall are the Cliffs?
At their southern end, they rise to a height of 390 ft above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag’s Head, and 5 miles to the north, they reach their maximum height of 702 ft just north of O’Brien’s Tower.
They are not the tallest cliffs in Ireland though. That recognition goes to Slieve League in County Donegal at 1,955 ft. high.
And the tallest cliffs in the world are Kalaupapa Cliffs in Molokai Hawaii at a height of 3,315 ft. I’ve had the joy of seeing them too!
What is in the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center?
I honestly have no idea because I never went in it! I was much more interested in spending my time outside taking photos and enjoying the real thing. The visitor center was built to enhance the Cliffs of Moher experience. The architecture is quite beautiful since it’s built into the landscape so that it doesn’t take away from the Cliff’s beauty.
According to my research, the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center has bathrooms, food, and exhibits. You can learn more about the geology and history of the area and it includes a special exhibit known as the Atlantic’s Edge.
Can you Visit the Cliffs of Moher for Free?
You can go see the cliffs for free if you walk there from Doolin (as explained below), however if you want to park your car in the lot (the only lot around there), then you have to pay 6 euros per person even if you are all in one car! This gets you entry into the visitor center (and a place to park your car).
This honestly is a little confusing – much like Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland – the visitor center and parking lot cost money, but you can go see the coastline for free.
If you book your tickets online (for parking), then you do save 2 euros per person – so it’s best to do it that way.
How to View the Cliffs of Moher
Carefully! Safety first – be aware that there is often strong wind at the cliffs and people are known to lose their footing and there have been multiple deaths there. So please, please don’t get too close to the edge! I am scared of heights, so I stayed well away from the edges, but I saw people dangling feet over, laying over, etc – all to get a good picture. It’s not worth it!
You can also take in the view from O’Brien’s Tower marks the highest point of the Cliffs of Moher. The tower was built on the cliffs in 1835 by the local landlord and MP Sir Cornellius O’Brien as an observation tower for the English tourists who frequented the cliffs at the time: the OG of tourism! Another version of the story tells of O’Brien building the tower in order to impress the women he was courting.
You can also see the cliffs from a new perspective – by boat. I didn’t have time to do this, but if I ever go again I will because I think it would be a great way to see the cliffs in a different light.
Here are a few Cliffs of Moher boat trips that have been recommended:
The Best way to See the Cliffs of Moher
There’s no better way to see the Cliffs of Moher and experience their power and presence than hiking on them! The Burren Way hiking trail runs all along the cliffs from Liscannor to Doolin; the visitor center is practically in the middle of the hike.
- Liscannor village to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre – 12 km (3 to 4 hours).
- Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre to Hags Head – 5 km (1.5 to 2 hours).
- Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre to Doolin - 8km (2.5 to 3 hours).
The total distance is 8 miles but due to time constraints So with a little coordination, you can find yourself on a solo hike in some of the most picturesque landscapes in Ireland!
Hike the Burren Way from Doolin to Cliffs of Moher
I did this hike in 2014, and it has become much more popular now. When I did it, I chose to drive out to the visitor center, park my rental car and walk the 4.5 miles back into town along Burren Way. Then my B&B owner agreed to drive me the short distance back out to my car in the visitor parking lot to pick it back up.
However, if you want to visit the Cliffs for free, then it’s a bit easier to do this if you walk from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher visitor center. Then maybe you can convince your nice Irish B&B host to pick you up…or hitch a ride back into town.
Best Time to do Cliffs of Moher Hike
I personally prefer sunset – the daytrippers have left by then. You could do the hike from Doolin to the visitor a couple of hours before sunset and schedule a taxi to pick you up. You’ll get some great sunset pictures and have the trail to yourself.
Driving the Wild Atlantic Way on a rainy day? Here are some of the best things to do
My Cliffs of Moher Hike Experience
The visitor center area was crowded, however, once I got out of that vicinity, everyone seemed to disappear and soon I found myself walking along some of the most spectacular cliff trails in my life – all alone. It was just me, some cows, the occasional rainstorms, and gusts of wind.
I kept thinking to myself – why aren’t more people on this trail? And then remembered that I actually loved this trail because there was no one on it. The trail led you right along the coastline through fields of livestock, and sea spray.
Even though I had to weather a number of storms during the walk, the best thing about a storm was it would blow through, the sun came out, and everything appeared so green and fresh it practically hurt my eyes. I’d never seen such a vibrant green like that before, it made me want to cry tears of happiness as I took it all in.
Before I knew it the sound of the crashing waves disappeared and the sounds of Irish music started wafting through the air. The trail took me right into the village of Doolin past the pubs – which is the perfect way to end this walk.
I was overjoyed with the Cliffs of Moher walk and found it was a great way to connect to the landscape. I walked this solo and felt safe the whole time, however you can do it with a guide or group normally for a fee.
How to Plan Your Cliffs of Moher Hike:
Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk – plan your visit
Difficulty – easy (most is downhill or flat)
Coastal Walk Map (on your left) – The trail is well marked – no map is really necessary – just keep the coast on your left if you are heading from the Visitor Center to Doolin. Or keep it on your right if you are going from Doolin to the Visitor Center!
For more hiking help around the area – Ireland Walk Hike Bike
Burren Way website – Remember the Cliffs of Moher walk is only a small section of this overall trail.
Don’t Leave Without This Essential Hiking Gear
I’ve hiked all around the world and have found some key gear that I take on every hike for every kind of weather. From backpacks to socks, check out my list of the best hiking gear out there!
Where to Stay in Doolin
I stayed at Suantrai House, a B&B in Doolin with a lovely host. You can read reviews about it here!
It was a great home base for me. However, there are a number of options in Doolin:
By Katie @ Second-Hand Hedgehog January 29, 2015 - 8:06 am
Fab tip! I don’t mind touristy sites now and again, because they’re usually touristy with good reason, but it’s also great to get away from it all and not feel like you’re competing for space with a million other people. This looks like such a beautiful walk – reminds me a little bit of a clifftop walk I did on the south of the Isle of Man. Gorgeous!
By De'Jav January 29, 2015 - 10:46 am
This looks like a magnificent place to be. Definitely feel ya on places that are touristy just being around crowds isn’t for me either. Great pics
By Amber January 29, 2015 - 9:51 pm
Great tips on how to avoid the crowds, one of the reasons I went to the Cliffs on our first visit to Ireland, and have never returned. Instead, we spend time in Kilkee, just a little father south, which has some similar cliffs, and a great cliff walk, with absolutely no tourists!
By Lillie February 3, 2015 - 12:08 am
Filing away this tip for our trip… in two weeks!!!
By Don February 5, 2015 - 10:54 am
Hey Sherry! I’m looking at parking at the visitor center around 7PM-ish and then hiking down to Nag’s Head and back to catch the sunset around 10PM (I’ll be there in June). Did you have a chance to hike south from the visitor’s center?
If so, I was wondering if you felt there was a “more dramatic” section of the trail.
By Lynn Greene March 18, 2016 - 6:12 am
Hi, Your info and tips are great but would like to say that your map says ‘Nag’s Head’. It is actually called ‘Hag’s Head’. I live in nearby Limerick and the Cliffs are a favorite place of mine.
By Sherry March 18, 2016 - 11:45 am
Argh! That was on the map that I used from the internet! I didn’t create it. Well – I will see if I can find a different one. Thanks for letting me know!
By Mary Henry October 23, 2016 - 3:01 pm
We are traveling to Galway, Ireland and flying into Shannon. Arrival time 8:30 a.m. There are 4 of us and we would like to schedule a tour through the Burren and Cliffs of Moher. Can you recommend a tour group or Taxi driver who could pick us up at the Shannon airport then drop us off at our hotel in Galway after our tour?
By Sherry October 23, 2016 - 3:12 pm
Hi Mary! Sounds like you have an exciting trip planned! The company I used (and LOVED) to help me set up the BnB’s, taxi, and gave me route maps was Ireland Walk Hike Bike – a local company that has been operating in the area for year. Here’s their website – http://www.irelandwalkhikebike.com/ – but I recommend calling them and talk to Maurice about maybe customizing something for your group – I think they can. I did a self guided option that they set up for me and there are long hikes you can do along the Cliffs of Moher too that they do. If you do contact them – tell them I sent you (just passing on good karma) and let me know how it goes!
By Suzanne King July 16, 2017 - 12:04 pm
We will be in Galway this Sept at the end of a biking trip in the area. we have 2 days in Galway then have to head to Dublin to catch our flight home. Can you tell me the name of the B&B you stayed in. I was planning to stay in Galway both nights but this sounds like much more fun, how far is this from Galway proper. Thanks for a great suggestion, it sounds like fun.
By Sherry July 18, 2017 - 8:55 am
You mean the B&B I stayed at in Doolin? Here’s the link – http://www.bedandbreakfast-directory.co.uk/info.asp?id=46861
I hope you do the hike – it’s great! And much better than simply staying in Galway! 🙂 I don’t recall exactly how far it was from Galway – maybe a few hours of driving. If you stay in Doolin it’s a great small village where you can listen to local music and meet locals.
By Jean Farrell August 31, 2017 - 11:25 am
That’s fantastic. I wish I’d known about that when I last visited the Cliffs of Moher, although it wasn’t obscenely crowded, just regular crowded, when we were there. Next time.
By Sherry September 1, 2017 - 5:04 pm
Yes – next time! It’s just a lovely hike!
By Mickey August 21, 2019 - 4:44 pm
Hi Sherry, This is exactly the walk I want to take but everyone keeps discouraging the walk from the visitor center to Doolin and suggest taking the opposite route from Doolin to the tower.
I have a difficulty with uphill climbs due to back issues but feel I could make the walk downhill to Doolin much easier. And I plan to take lots of photos so I don’t really want to go with a large group.Just my husband and me. I would really like to get some sunset pictures but don’t want to navigate the trail at dark.
Can you recommend a good time to start at the visitor center and still be at the end before dark. I will be going the last week of September. Also, is there a car park near the end or the trail at Doolin? If not, how far is it in to town once you leave the cliff path?
By Sherry August 22, 2019 - 9:43 am
I have no idea why anyone would discourage it. I did this about 4 years ago – but I can’t imagine it has changed. If I recall – there is a car park near the end of the trail – however I don’t remember for sure. I just walked into town – and I don’t recall it being far at all. It all depends on where you are staying I suppose. I was at the opposite end of town so I had a little further to walk. I honestly don’t know why you could just take a taxi to the visitor center and walk back like I did. It wasn’t a hard hike at all – the hardest part for me was the changing weather and getting rained on occasionally! I would look up the sunset times for the end of September. I took a lot of pictures along the way and took my time – but I think it took me about 2 hours. I hope you do it!
By Mickey August 22, 2019 - 12:04 pm
Thank you for clarifying that because that is what I hope to do. We plan to leave the car at the end of the trail and take a bus or something up to the visitor center and walk back. I had searched everywhere on this topic because everyone only talks about the trip from Doolin up the 5 mile hike. So glad I ran across your blog. I just couldn’t imagine why people were saying, no you can’t walk down from the tower, but offered no explanation as to why? So thank you again.
By Savio Wong March 2, 2020 - 5:38 am
Thank you for the very informative article. I was there a few years and I wish I knew because I could have walked from Doolin to the Cliffs. Maybe next time.
BTW, I think a few words are left out in this sentence:
The total distance is 8 miles but due to time constraints So with a little coordination, you can find …
Thanks