The Barony of the Burren forms the northern part of County Clare,
overlooking Galway Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The word Burren comes
from Boireann, or stony district, and refers to the 130 square
kilometres of spectacular terraced carboniferous limestone hills and
valleys that characterise the area. The highest hill, Slieve Elva is a
mere 344 metres above sea level, but the south-western end of the Burren
bedrock drops into the sea at the Cliffs of Moher which rear more than
200 metres vertically out of the sea. Added to these surroundings are
hundreds of miles of rambling stone field walls and a unique density of
well-preserved monuments and buildings from the Neolithic to the early
Christian period, and a rich treasury of rare wild flowers.
The Burren
Way is a 123km walking route that takes in the best of what the Burren
area has to offer, from the coast at Doolin to majestic
wild-flower-decorated limestone terraces and from the remains left by
the Neolithic inhabitants of the Burren to the rich heritage of early
Christian churches and sites. The long views from the top of
Mullaghmore, one of the easternmost Burren hills, are particularly
spectacular in good weather.
Terrain consists mainly of quiet tarmac
roads, old green roads, ancient cattle droving roads, paths and forestry
tracks, but there are also some stretches on busy roads. There are a
few short steep climbs involved. Overnight accommodation options are
very good in the area, and there are public transport links to some of
the main centres on the route.
Walkers may want in particular to linger
in the village of Doolin, a mecca for traditional musicians from all
over the world.