Julie Ireland 42 Comments

The Cliffs of Moher…this is wild, rugged, beautiful Irish coastline. For many visitors to Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher are one of the most anticipated destinations. We felt the same way, and we couldn’t wait to see the views, hike along the cliff tops, and enjoy one of Ireland’s most famous landmarks.

So, you can imagine our disappointment when we learned that rain was in the forecast. Not just showers, but a lot of steady, unrelenting rain.

We walked the Cliffs of Moher, breaking up our visit over two days, to see as much as we could while staying as dry as possible. We learned a lot in the process, and in this post, we will share with you how to get the most out of your visit to the Cliffs of Moher. 

The Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are located on the west coast of Ireland, in the County Clare. Towering over the Atlantic Ocean, these cliffs reach a maximum height of 214 meters.

The Cliffs of Moher stretch 14 km from north to south, starting at Doolin in the north and ending at Hags Head in the south. There is a well-marked hiking trail along the entire stretch of coastline.

The Visitor Center, located at the midpoint, is also at the highest point of the Cliffs. Over one million people every year visit the Cliffs of Moher, making this one of Ireland’s most popular attractions.

Not only are the Cliffs famous for their beauty but they have also been featured in several very popular movies, including The Princess Bride and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Ireland in August

How To Visit the Cliffs of Moher

The Visitor Center

This is the easiest and fastest way to see some of the best views. The Visitor Center is located near the highest point of the Cliffs so you do not have to walk far for stunning views. From the Visitor Center, you can take as much time as you like to walk part (or all) of the trail to either Doolin or Hags Head. You can also climb O’Brien’s Tower while you are here.

Prices start at €7 per person online and €12 at the gate to enter the Visitor Center (book your tickets online in advance).

PRO TRAVEL TIP:  You do not have to visit the Visitor Center to see the Cliffs of Moher. If you walk the coastal trail from Doolin or Hags Head, you will still get the same stunning views as you do from the visitor center, without paying the fee. 

Walking the Cliffs of Moher

There are numerous ways to walk part or all of the trail along the Cliffs. Many people start in Doolin, walk the 8 km to the Visitor Center, and then take the shuttle back to Doolin. Another option is to start in Hags Head, walk the 6 km to the Visitor Center, and take the shuttle back to your car. Or, you could walk the entire 11 km along the cliffs, which is called the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk.

PRO TRAVEL TIP:  We recommend walking at least a small portion of the Cliffs. Most people congregate at the area around the Visitor Center. From the Visitor Center, walk north or south on the trail, leave most of these people behind, and get a feel for wild, rugged Ireland.

So, how do you choose which portion of the trail to walk? Keep reading!

On a Tour

There are a lot of tours you can join. This tour from Dublin gets near perfect reviews and also includes a visit to Galway. This highly rated tour from Galway also includes a visit to Burren. And this tour from Galway includes a cruise along the Cliffs of Moher, a walk on the cliffs, plus a visit to the Aran Islands.

Cliffs of Moher Map: Walking Route

How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (points of interest and the walking route). You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest.
 
If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.

Walking the Cliffs of Moher

We arrived in Doolin late in the afternoon on a rainy day in August. For one night we stayed in town, using this as our home base to walk the Cliffs of Moher. Rain was in the forecast for the next 24 hours. It was a huge disappointment. And we only had today and tomorrow, since our travel plans had us arriving in Limerick the following night.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you want to increase your odds of seeing the Cliffs of Moher on a sunny day, consider spending two nights in the area. If you get lucky and have two days of clear weather, visit the Cliffs of Moher on the first day and day trip out to the Aran Islands on the second day. 

After checking into our hotel, the rain stopped. It was 7:30 pm. Could we take this opportunity to go see the Cliffs of Moher, at least while it was not raining?

Tyler and Kara, exhausted from days of driving and sightseeing, decided to stay in the hostel. Tim and I figured we would just run out and take some pictures of the Cliffs, not planning to be gone for very long.

Cliffs of Moher from Doolin

Since it was late in the day and very wet, Tim and I had the trail all to ourselves. Even though it was not the most pleasant weather, it still turned out to be an awesome experience. The Cliffs of Moher are gorgeous, peaceful, and feel remote, even within walking distance of Doolin.

We felt like two kids again, on an adventure, off exploring. Around every bend was a new view. We kept going and going, even though big, thick, gray rain clouds were slowly moving in. It was going to be a very wet walk back to Doolin, but Tim and I wanted to enjoy this as long as possible.

We walked most of the way to the Visitor Center, but didn’t quite make it. Not only did it start raining but the sun was setting. Tim and I hurried back to Doolin, surprised by how much distance we had covered during our explorations. By the time we got back to Tyler and Kara, it was dark and we were soaked. But it was a magical experience.

Here is Our Journey from Doolin in Photos

Doolin

Doolin

 

Cliffs of Moher Danger

At the start of the trail

 

Doolin Cliff Walk

First view of the Cliffs of Moher

 

Ireland

 

Cliffs of Moher from Doolin

The trail from Doolin

 

Walking the Cliffs of Moher from Doolin

Looking back to Doolin

Looking back towards Doolin

 

Doolin Cliff Walk Ireland

Cliffs of Moher in the rain

Off in the distance, the cliffs are getting higher (and it’s now raining!)

 

Walking Doolin to Cliffs of Moher

From here, the trail climbs up the cliffs

Cliffs of Moher from Hags Head

Our original plan was to walk the entire trail in one day. Now that Tim and I walked the northern portion, we were halfway finished.

The next morning we awoke to fog and rain. Terrible, depressing weather in which to visit the Cliffs of Moher. Conditions were not expected to change much during the day. Yikes!

Well, things only got worse as we drove to the Visitor Center. It was 9 am. Visibility was literally less than 5 feet. Even though it was daytime, we needed headlights because it was so dark from the rainclouds and fog. The lady at the ticket booth advised us to come back tomorrow. Currently, there was nothing to see from the Visitor Center except a thick blanket of fog.

Hoping for the best, we drove south towards Liscannor. Maybe conditions would be a little better here.

Parking in Liscannor

As we arrived in Mullaghroe North, the weather conditions improved. It stopped raining and the fog lifted, at least here, since we were now at a lower elevation.

It can be a little tricky to find parking to access the southern portion of the Cliff walk. Most roads are unnamed here. From the Visitor Center, drive south on R478 to St Bridget’s Well, and then follow signs to the Cliffs of Moher parking. If you continue up the road, there is a family that runs a car park from their yard. For a few euros, park here for the closest access to the Cliff trail. But get here early, spots are limited.

Ireland Travel Guide

Walking from Hags Head to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center

With brighter weather conditions, our moods improved. Our first views of the coastline from here were amazing. Immediately, it was much more impressive than the walk from Doolin. The Cliffs at Hags Head are higher and much more dramatic than the northern portion of the Cliffs of Moher.

We shared this walk with just a few other people. This is one of the few advantages of a rainy day: hiking trails are almost completely deserted.

The walk from Hags Head towards the Visitor Center was fabulous!! We were so thankful for our good fortune that the weather was cooperating, at least for a little bit.

As we approached the Visitor Center, the trail became more crowded. Once the fog and rain moved in again, we turned around and walked back to our car.

So, we did not walk the mid-portion of the Cliffs trail or visit the Visitor Center, due to the weather conditions. Even so, it was an awesome experience.

Here is Our Journey from Hags Head in Photos

Cliffs of Moher parking

Make sure you park only in designated parking areas. The trail from Hags Head starts in a residential area.

 

Hags Head

Hags Head

 

Hags Head Ireland

Cliffs of Moher Walk

Our first (of many) stunning views

 

Burren Way

Cliffs of Moher Trail

Earth Trekkers Ireland

Cliffs of Moher family travel

Earth Trekkers Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk

Moher Walk

Cliffs of Moher Rain

This is what it looks like when the rain and fog move in

Helpful Tips for Visiting the Cliffs of Moher

This is how we recommend hiking the entire Cliff Trail: Stay in Doolin. In the morning, take the shuttle from Doolin to the Liscannor Walk Car Park. Walk the entire trail, from Hags Head to Doolin. Allow five hours for the entire walk. At the Visitor Center, you can stop for food or to use the bathrooms.

If you only have time to walk a portion of the trail, we recommend the southern portion. The scenery was more dramatic than on the walk from Doolin to the Visitor Center. Park in Liscannor, walk north towards the Visitor Center, and turn around when you are ready.

With limited time, start at the Visitor Center and walk a small portion of the trail.

Cliffs of Moher Shuttle Bus. There is a shuttle service connecting Doolin, Hags Head (Liscannor), and the Visitor Center. For those who want to walk point-to-point on the trail, definitely use this service. For information on the schedule and fees, visit the Cliffs of Moher website.

Cliffs of Moher with Kids

There is an element of danger when visiting the Cliffs of Moher. The trails follow the edge of the cliff. As long as you stay on the trail, there are no safety concerns. But in some sections, the trail is within a few feet of the edge of the cliff, making this a dangerous place for young kids that may wander off of the trail. For this reason, the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center recommends that only children over the age of 12 walk the Cliff Trail.

During our visit, Tyler was 13 and Kara was 11. They have lots of experience hiking and are well aware of the dangers of approaching the edge of the cliffs. For kids with hiking experience, 10 years old is a reasonable age to hike the Cliff Trail.

If you are visiting the Cliffs and have young children, start at the Visitors Center for the best views and consider walking a small portion of the trail.

Cliffs of Moher with Kids

Where to Stay

These properties are located in Doolin, within walking distance of the trail to the Cliffs of Moher. 

Moloney House Bed & Breakfast.Moloney House is located on a family farm. This 4-star property has rooms that can accommodate between two and four people. Prior guests rave about the breakfast and excellent location in the town of Doolin. 

Doolin Inn. This 3-star hotel has rooms that can accommodate up to four people. From here, it is a quick and easy walk to the Cliffs of Moher, as well as O’Connor’s pub, a pub that gets rave reviews in Doolin. 

Twin Peaks B&B. This bed and breakfast is located in the center of Doolin, so it is a slightly longer walk to get to the Cliffs of Moher Trail. However, it gets exceptional reviews, serves a delicious breakfast, and offers rooms that can accommodate up to four people. 

Best Tours of the Cliffs of Moher

Joining a tour of the Cliffs of Moher eliminates the hassle of arranging your transportation and allows you to add on experiences such as a cruise along the Cliffs of Moher or a visit to the nearby Aran Islands.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time do you need at the Cliffs of Moher?

If you simply plan on visiting the Visitor Center for views of the cliffs, a visit to the Cliffs of Moher takes about an hour. If you plan to walk part of the trail that runs along the Cliffs of Moher, your visit will last 2 to 4 hours, depending on how much of the trail you plan to walk. To walk one way along the entire Cliffs of Moher, from Doolin to Hags Head, it takes about 4.5 hours.

Is it possible to visit the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin?

Yes, you can day trip to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin. By car, it is just over a 3 hour drive one-way to get from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center. If you spend an hour or two at the cliffs, you can also add on Galway before returning to Dublin.

Do you have to pay to visit the Cliffs of Moher?

Walking along the Cliffs of Moher from Doolin to Hags Head is free. There is no fee to walk the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk. However, in Doolin and Liscannor (the two towns at either end of the trail) you may have to pay a small fee for parking. If you walk the entire Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk, the walk is free but you will have to pay for the shuttle service to get you back to your starting point. If you plan to visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center, there is an entrance fee for this. So, it’s possible to visit the Cliffs of Moher for free, if you skip the visitor center experience and stay at a hotel along the walking route, so you don’t have to pay for parking or the shuttle.

More Great Hikes Around the World

If You Like This Hike…

If you like the Cliffs of Moher, here are six similar hikes from around the world:

For more great hikes from around the world, check out our Hiking Guide.


If you have any questions about how to visit the Cliffs of Moher, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information about Ireland

SCENIC DRIVES IN IRELAND: The Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry are two of the most scenic drives in Ireland. The Wild Atlantic Way is 1,600 miles (2,600 km) long and runs along the western coastline of Ireland and filled with beautiful sights, such as Mullaghmore Head.

BEST OF IRELAND: For a list of top experiences in Ireland, read our post Best Things to Do in Ireland.

IRELAND ITINERARY: In 10 days, you can go on a road trip through Ireland and Northern Ireland, visiting the highlights. Get the full details in our 10 Day Ireland Itinerary.

MORE GREAT HIKES IN EUROPE: From thrilling trails in the Alps to easy walks along the coast, read our article 20 Best Hikes in Europe for some beautiful hiking trails to put on your travel wish list.

FIRST TIME IN EUROPE: If this is your first time in Europe, don’t miss our article 7 Things to Know when Planning Your First Trip to Europe.

Planning a trip to Ireland? Read all of our articles in our Ireland Travel Guide.

Cliffs of Moher Ireland

Walking the Cliffs of Moher Ireland

 

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Comments 42

  1. Avatar for Claudio Bornstein
    Claudio Bornstein

    Great site and great help Julie. Thanks to your hints I am planning to walk from Hags Head to the visitor’s center. Is it possible to bypass the visitors center if you plan walking a little bit further to the north? Is there a way around it, or do you necessarily have to pay to get through it?

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      You can go around it. I believe you just have to pay to enter the building, so if you stay on the trails, you should not have to pay a fee. Have a great walk! Cheers, Julie

  2. Avatar for Lloyd
    Lloyd

    Thanks for you article and pictures! How hard is the hike from Hag’s Head to the visitor’s center. I’ve heard it described as strenous and hard. When I see the pictures, it looks pretty flat. We’re in pretty good shape but certainly not avid hikers. Is this a reasonable hike for most folks or should we come down from the south?

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      We thought it was relatively easy as well, and our kids who were 10 and 12 at the time did it with ease. There are a few ups and downs but I don’t recall any big climbs or descents. The most challenging part can be walking near the drop offs, which would be tough for those with a fear of heights. Cheers, Julie

  3. Avatar for Jay
    Jay

    Hello,

    Greetings from Mumbai. Purely from a scenic perspective, is there any recommendation in terms of whether to walk from the Visitor Centre to the Hags Head or the Hags Head to the Visitor Center? Or both are identical? Thank you so much

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      Both are pretty much identical. But if you are doing the walk point to point, I think it would be better to go from Hags Head to the visitor center, because as you do the walk in this direction, the cliffs are steadily getting higher and more dramatic, and you are facing them, rather than walking away from them. Cheers, Julie

  4. Avatar for Patricia Leising
    Patricia Leising

    First off, THANK YOU for this website. It has been invaluable to my family for years. Wondering…I am traveling with my 85 year old mum in August. She wants to see the Cliffs. I have read and reread your posts about the different walks. I understand that the walk south of the visitor center is more spectacular = higher cliffs. She can walk, but capping it around a mile. Do you suggest taking the shuttle from Doolin to Hags Head, walk a short amount then shuttle Hags Head back to Doolin? How far is it from Hags Head to visitor center? Super grateful for your help!

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      Hello Patricia. If your mom is limited to walking a mile, I think the best option is to go to the Visitor Center and walk the trails here. From Hags Head to the Visitor Center, it is about an 8 km (5 miles) walk. If you drive to the Visitor Center and then walk the trail towards Hags Head for a half mile, you’ll still get some spectacular views. Have a great time in Ireland! Cheers, Julie

  5. Avatar for Daphne
    Daphne

    Thank you for the super detailed resource! Using your pictures and review, we skipped the north end of the trail and just went to the visitor’s center and hiked up the south end of the trail. Between the two, hiking up the south end of the trail is hands down the much better view. If I were to do it again, I’d even skip the visitor’s center.

    RE parking: we were able to find that family’s car lot and park there. But as we were hiking, we found a parking venue right off the walking trail. This was mid September 2022. I couldn’t find it on Google Maps, but there was a sign that read “Cliffs of Moher coastal walk car park” and my phone says the GPS location was 52 degrees 57 minutes 1.9 seconds N and 9 degrees 27 minutes and 32.8 seconds W. Maybe another reader will have some luck finding it, because it looked like the perfect place to park.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
  6. Avatar for Jim
    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      On a rainy day like we had it doesn’t. 🤣 Early in the morning, on a sunny day, the cliffs could be shadowed, since the cliffs face west. So midday to the afternoon would be better for lighting if the sun is shining. Cheers, Julie

  7. Avatar for Mark
    Mark

    Thanks as always for these great tips. We just did the almost 9mile hike from Hags to Doolin. We left our car in the liscannor parking lot and then took a taxi back from doolin. We used Danny O +353871761239, he came in a VW bus and grabbed my family of 5 and two others in our party. It was only 6eur/pp. The 350 bus is also an option, we just missed it and there was a two hour gap until the next one.

    One of the best things we did in our two week stay there.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
    2. Avatar for Bryan
      Bryan

      So, the northbound walk from Hags Head to Doolin IS open?
      The Cliffs of Moher website says the northbound walking route is closed..???
      We travel there in a few weeks, just gathering info.
      Thanks,
      Bryan

  8. Avatar for Leonardo
    Leonardo

    I Julie!
    I just finished reading and I really appreciated this blog about the Cliffs of Moher. I will be there with five friends the 8th of a may and, after reading your article, I think the best option for the trail, in our case, is taking the shuttle from Doolin (where we will be sleeping the night between 7-8 may) to the Visitor Centre early in the morning and walking from the Visitor Centre to the southern part (hoping the weather will be ok). Do you think is it physible? Because we have to take the route 350 Eireann bus at around 3pm to Ennis and we can’t miss it. Is it easy to find the start of the trail from the visitor centre towards the southern part?

    Thank you in advance

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      Hello Leonardo. Yes, the trails are all easy to find and to follow. It shouldn’t be a problem getting on the correct trail from the visitor center. If you want to hike the southern part, you will walk out to the cliffs, turn left, and make sure the water is off to your right.
       
      If you have to be back in Doolin by 3 and you want to walk the southern part of the cliffs, there is several ways to do it. You can take the shuttle to the visitor center, walk the southern part out and back, and from the visitor center, ride the shuttle to Doolin (about 12 km round trip if you walk the full distance but the highest cliffs are near the visitor center so you don’t have to walk far for some of the best views). If you don’t mind hiking a little farther, from Doolin take the shuttle to Hags Head and walk the entire cliffs of Moher (about 14 km total), ending in Doolin. Or, ride the shuttle to Hags Head, walk to the visitor center, and ride the shuttle to Doolin (6 km). Option #3 is the shortest, quickest option if you are concerned about time.
       
      We didn’t use the shuttle so I don’t know exactly how crowded it is and how often it runs, but if it were me, I’d give myself and extra hour for the shuttle ride back to Doolin, just in case there is a line. Your hotel staff in Doolin will probably be able to give you some advice as well, or just contact the shuttle company.
       
      Cheers, Julie

      1. Avatar for Leonardo
        Leonardo

        Thank you for your answer Julie! I think I didn’t tell you that we don’t have to come but to Doolin at the end of our day but we can take the bus to Ennis even from Liscannor (at the end of the southern trail if I’m not wrong). So I wanted to understand if is it physible to do all the trail from Doolin to Liscannor (being there no later than 3pm) or if is it better, in your opinion, to concetrate only on the southern part starting from the visitor centre and ending in Liscannor.

        Thank you again

        1. Avatar for Julie Post
          Author
          Julie

          If you can take the bus to Liscannor, then you can do either one: walk the entire length (that gives you 6 or 7 hours to walk 12 km, which is doable for most people) or just walk from the Visitor Center to Liscannor/Hags Head. It just depends if you want to walk the whole length of the Cliffs or keep it shorter and walk the southern cliffs. I’m just wondering what you will be doing with your luggage if you do this walk point-to-point and won’t be returning to Doolin. But if you have all that worked out, then that’s great. Cheers, Julie

          1. Avatar for Leonardo
            Leonardo

            We will only have a backpack so the luggage won’t be a problem 😉
            Thank you for everything Julie. You are amazing and really helpful.
            Only one last question…if we plan to do all the trail, would you suggest us even to enter the visitor centre or not? And is the O’brien tower free or included in the visitor centre? Thank you 😊

          2. Avatar for Julie Post
            Author
            Julie

            We never made it to the visitor center, although we could see it from our turn around point. We skipped the visitor center area because it was starting to get very foggy again. If you have good weather (hopefully you do!) I think O’Brien Tower would be worth it, because you’d be a little bit higher and the view might be better. I’m not sure about the cost but you can probably get that on the official website. I hope you have a great trip to Ireland! Cheers, Julie

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