Hiking the Mullaghmore Loop Walk
Read our guide on Mullaghmore Loop Walk in Ireland. Includes trail description, and tips on where the hike starts, how to get there, what to pack, where to stay, or when to go.
In our opinion, Mullaghmore Loop Walk is the best hike in the Burren National Park.
Not surprisingly, we also believe that hiking is the best way to explore this unique karst landscape, the natural highlight of this region.
If you're looking for a way to stay active on your trip to County Clare, this may be the perfect activity for you.
This hike features incredible scenery, limestone hills looking like giant cinnamon rolls, beautiful wildflowers, and stunning views along the way.
Despite the rocky terrain, it's not as challenging as often described, at least if you're moderately fit and don't mind focusing on your footing.
Do you want to hike Mullaghmore Loop Walk? Use our guide that includes all the essential information you need to help plan your trip!
Mullaghmore Loop Walk
Even though this is a fairly straightforward trip, there are some essential things you should know about Mullaghmore Loop Walk before you go.
Trail Description
Marked as a Blue Route, Mullaghmore Loop Walk is a 7.5-kilometer looped trail with an elevation gain of 140 meters.
Even though it's usually described as a circular route, technically, it's a lollipop trail, as a large part of this hike shares the same path.
The trail is well-marked, and in good weather conditions, getting lost here is almost impossible, though you still need to focus on the markers along the way.
Difficulty
In general, we would say Mullaghmore Loop Walk is easy to moderate trail.
However, half of the trail leads along rocky and uneven surfaces, so you will need quality footwear to prevent unnecessary ankle sprains.
By the way, officially, it's rated as very difficult, but we don't see it there. Sure, you need to look where you're going, but that's about it.
Don't forget that it's often windy here, and strong gusts will definitely make the walk harder.
We could easily imagine that the difficulty increases on a rainy day, as the rocks will become slippery.
Foggy weather conditions will also make spotting the blue markers on the stones along the trail harder.
Duration
It took us way less than two hours to complete Mullaghmore Loop Walk, with plenty of photo stops and breaks along the way.
Admittedly, we walked pretty fast to get some exercise after road-tripping Ireland (and sitting in the car) for a few days in a row.
Therefore, we believe that most hikers will need between two to three hours in order to enjoy this trail in a bit more relaxed manner.
Trailhead
Together with multiple other hikes in the Burren National Park, Mullaghmore Loop Walk starts at a P1 parking area on the Green Road crossroad.
Mind you. There is also a P2 parking area on the other side of the national park connected via the Red Route, and it could also be used as a starting point for this hike.
Thanks to its location in the heart of the national park, the P1 area seems to be more convenient for most day visitors.
Mullaghmore Loop Hike
As mentioned above, this is a Blue Route, so the only thing you need to do is to follow the blue markers.
From the parking, the path leads along the narrow road for 1.1 kilometers, so watch out for the traffic in case you're hiking with your kids.
The first kilometer is not very exciting, and the small stone entrance with multiple markers is relatively easy to miss if you don't pay attention to the signage.
Here we turned left and started hiking toward the Lough Gealain.
The trail doesn't lead along the shore of the lake, though we saw a couple of hikers making a detour there.
Don't worry. The views of the lake get better once you gain some elevation.
Speaking of which, shortly after you leave the lake area behind, a gradual climb takes you slowly toward the highest point of the hike.
We continued for another 1.3 kilometers until we reached a fork, where the actual circular route started.
Here we turned right and continued in the anticlockwise direction.
From here, you will need to tackle the remaining path leading to the top of Mullaghmore Hill.
The final part is more like a scramble than a climb, but this section is very short.
Finally, we reached the highest point of the trail. It's marked by a big pile of rocks, which is still pretty tiny when compared to the one you can see on Queen Maeve Trail in Knocknarea.
Here we enjoyed the views and soaked up the serene atmosphere while walking among one of the most stunning sceneries in the world.
It would be a perfect spot for a quick lunch if it weren't for the cold wind on the top of the plateau.
At the farthest end of the trail, you will be rewarded with other-worldly views of the local cinnamon rolls made of limestone instead of dough, at least on a clear day.
From here, the trail looped back, so we descended a bit and continued along the ridge back to the only fork along the trail.
This part was also very scenic, especially the valley on our right-hand side covered with a massive sea of stones.
Back on the T-junction, we turned right and retraced our steps back to the main road, where we turned right once more and continued to the parking area where we left our car.
If you're looking for inspiration on where to go next, check out our posts on Fanore Beach, Doolin Cave, and Cliffs of Moher.
Opening Hours
There are no opening times to Mullaghmore Loop Walk. We recommend starting early or late to avoid crowds in the peak season. Just make sure you know the sunset hours.
We did the Mullaghmore Loop Walk at the beginning of May just after lunch, and while the parking lot was relatively full, we barely saw anyone along the trail.
Entrance Fee
There is no entry fee to Mullaghmore Loop Walk, as all national parks in Ireland are free to visit.
If you're visiting Ireland on a budget, make sure to include places such as this hike to keep your budget at bay.
When to Go
Mullaghmore Loop Walk is open all year round.
Many visitors consider summer the best time to visit this area due to the warm temperatures and long days with plenty of sunshine.
Just don't forget that popular tourist places get busy during this period, and accommodation prices are at their highest.
If you want to avoid the crowds, consider visiting Ireland in spring or autumn.
Not surprisingly, Burren is still very beautiful during these periods.
Winter is not the most popular time to explore Ireland for several reasons, but it gives you a good opportunity to escape the crowds.
You will need an extra layer or two during this period, though.
Either way, make sure to read our guide on the best time to visit Ireland to learn more about this topic.
What to Pack
As mentioned above, this is a very different terrain from other hikes we did in Ireland.
The trail is rocky, so we recommend wearing proper footwear to protect your ankles.
From our own experience, opting for hiking boots with ankle support instead of our lightweight runners was a good decision.
Other than that, you will need your trusty hiking pants, a quality rain jacket, and a comfortable daypack.
The entire trail is exposed, so make sure to have a quality rain gear with you. We also never leave without our trusty rain pants.
While we didn't use them, it may help to bring trekking poles to help you maintain balance along the more challenging parts.
How to Get There
There are several ways to get to Mullaghmore Loop Walk. However, the best way to reach the trailhead is by car. Here you will find tips on renting a car in Ireland and driving in Ireland.
Alternatively, you could also cycle there or join a private trip with a local guide.
Car
Getting to Mullaghmore Loop trailhead by car is not difficult, but the narrow local roads require your full attention.
The destination where you will find the parking is on road L1112, and the exact parking area is known as Gortlecka Crossroads.
There are several villages around this area, Killinaboy, situated in the southwest, is the nearest one.
If arriving from the north, this area is accessed from Kinvara or Ballyvaughan.
You can get there in less than three hours from Dublin.
Limerick is about an hour's drive south of here. Similarly, it takes about an hour to get by car from Galway to Gortlecka Crossroads.
Cliffs of Moher can be reached in less than 40 minutes from here.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Parking
There is free parking with limited spaces right at the Mullaghmore Loop Walk trailhead.
In case it's full, visitors usually leave their vehicles on the side of the road around this area.
If you're using Google Maps, search for Gortlecka Crossroads to find the parking area or use these coordinates 52.996938, -9.037171 instead.
Where to Stay
When it comes to accommodation before or after hiking the Mullaghmore Loop Walk, you should decide whether you want to stay in the city or rather in the countryside first.
In the first scenario, Galway and Limerick are the best options for most travelers.
Alternatively, the countryside is full of small bed and breakfasts, ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of large cities.
As the main highlight of this region is the Cliffs of Moher, many visitors decide to stay near this iconic landmark.
Galway | Harbour Hotel - Situated in the heart of Galway right on the waterfront, this hotel boasts modern rooms with AC, a hard-to-beat location, a contemporary restaurant, and on-site parking.
Limerick | George Limerick Hotel - This modern hotel with cozy rooms, a stunning restaurant, and adjacent parking is located in the city center of Limerick, which means that everything you will ever need is just around the corner.
Kinvara | Kinvara Guesthouse - Set in a quiet location in the fishing village of Kinvara, this guesthouse is only a short drive from Burren National Park. It has spacious rooms with comfortable beds, an excellent Irish breakfast, and free private on-site parking.
Staying Safe
Even though Mullaghmore Loop Walk seems like a relatively easy hike, never underestimate Irish weather.
Always make sure to bring proper wind and rainproof gear, regardless of whether you plan on hiking in the Burren, Connemara National Park, or the Wicklow Mountains.
Even though this is a relatively remote area, never leave your valuables inside your car.
For more information on this topic, read our post on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Mullaghmore Loop Walk Worth Visiting?
Thanks to the incredible landscape of the Burren National Park, Mullaghmore Loop Walk is easily one of our favorite hikes in Ireland.
There is so much to see along the way, and the surrounding scenery will leave you speechless.
The best part is that if you find this hike too difficult or simply don't have enough time for it, several hikes with varying lengths and difficulty start from this point so that all visitors can pick a trail according to their preferences.
Simply put, this is a great addition to every Ireland road trip itinerary.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
