A walk to the Cliffs of Moher. Only 2% of visitors see the cliffs this way.
The Cliffs of Moher is one of the most visited attractions in Ireland. It's busy, very busy. 1.5 million people come to look at them & you end up with more people than cliffs in your photos.
So I went a different way. I walked from Doolin to the Cliffs in a small group tour with a local guide. The highlight of the walk was the access we got to a local farmer's field for the most amazing views of the Cliffs that 98% of visitors don't see.
The Cliffs Three Ways
There are three way to see the cliffs, by boat, at the visitor centre and this walk. I did all three ways in two days. I wanted to see which was the best way myself and to advise my Ireland trip planning clients.
Start In Doolin
We met in Doolin the morning of the walk, it was a gorgeous sunny day. I stocked up on water and a sneaky brownie from the cafe where we met.
Cearbhúil was our incredibly friendly guide. Cearbhúil is one of those Irish names that sounds nothing like it spells! Car-ool. There was 12 of us on the walk, 8 Americans, 3 Canadians & me.
Cearbhúil, who lives nearby, told us about life in the village, which I found really interesting. She seemed to know everyone, so getting all the local back stories really brought it to life. Something you don't get in the regular Cliffs visitor centre.
Cliffs
What's special about this walk is that you start at sea level and watch as the cliffs get gradually taller. You could see how they formed, the layers of rock, like rings in a tree, that revealed their growth. Our guide explained their formation to us.
There were no barriers at the edge, unlike at the visitor's centre, you could go as close to the edge as you dared. I remember coming here as a kid and this is what the cliffs used to be like before they became world famous.
No Crowded Cliffs
In a tourist destination that has become too crowded, we saw no people, just a few cows and horses who looked at us with bemusement as we invaded their tranquil sea front fields.
The horses had just arrived the week before according to Cearbhúil and we were momentarily distracted from the cliffs as we watched the foals playing.
Gentle Pace
The pace of the walk was extremely relaxed, the tour was 2h30 but we took lots of breaks. Everyone was on vacation and no one was in a hurry. You shouldn't have any worries about completing the walk. In fact, for me, it was a little slow, but I'm an experienced hiker. Everyone chatted along the walk, it was a nice way to meet new people and I heard people exchanging tips about where they had been already.
The Farmer's Field
The absolute highlight of the tour was the exclusive access to a local farmer's field. Wow, it was just spectacular. You will be taking photos here that no one else is taking. I've been to the cliffs a dozen times and never saw them like this before.
None of the other ways I saw the cliffs had the views that we got from this field.
If we had only gone to the field and done nothing else, it would have been worth the money.
View from the private farmer's field
Bus Home
A bus brought us back to Doolin, where a representative from the company had ice cream and water for us. But the views from the field was reward enough for us.
Book Your Cliffs of Moher Walk
This was the best of the three way to see the Cliffs. It felt like a real experience, where you go to know the cliffs, the locals and the area, rather than just a photo opportunity.
Other Ways To See The Cliffs Of Moher
Where To Stay Nearby
FAQ
How long is the walk?
It was 5 miles and just under three hours, but it didn't feel like that.
What to wear?
In Ireland, layers is always the answer. For footwear, in the summer, regular shoes will be good. You're walking on cliffs paths that are established. They're not concrete, but it's not muddy fields either. In wetter times, waterproof shoes would be best.
Are there bathrooms on the walk?
There is at the meeting point, but no bathrooms along the walk. There are rocks along the way which afford some privacy if you really gotta go.
Isn't the cliff path closed?
No, just a portion near the visitor centre is closed. It means you cannot walk from Doolin up to the visitor centre, but you can walk a lot of the way.
Can I go to the farmer's field on my own?
No! It's private. The only way to access it is on this tour.
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