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      The Burren National Park Travel Guide

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      By Dawn Rainbolt, PR Manager
      Published: Oct 07, 2020 More by Dawn

      Welcome to the Burren

      The Burren National Park is one of Ireland’s wildest and most iconic spots. If it wasn’t for the spring wildflowers or the blue skies overhead, you might just think that you were looking at the Moon, or at least some exotic faraway place. And yet, the Burren National Park is only just a short distance from the iconic Wild Atlantic Way and the Cliffs of Moher.

      Whether you love wildflowers, unusual geology, ancient sites, taking photos, hiking, or simply discovering something a bit different, a visit to the Burren region or Ireland is sure to fascinate and inspire.

      Quick Access

      Where is the Burren National Park?

      The Burren National Park is located in the centre of County Clare, on the western part of Ireland; it is fairly rural, approachable by a number of small, winding roads.

      The national park is located an hour south of Galway City, an hour north of Limerick and Shannon Airport, and just under 3 hours from Dublin. Although there are some rural bus services that visit the region, you are better off renting a car or booking a guide/driver; this will offer you far more flexibility, make your trip more relaxing and if guided, provide an extra level of service. 

      Because of the wealth of things to do in the region, we recommend staying overnight in the Burren or elsewhere in County Clare.

      Interested in Clare? Read our regional Travel Guide here.

      Read More

      A Bit of History

      Like most of Ireland’s national parks, the Burren is a relative national park newbie. It was established in 1991, making it Ireland’s 5th national park (though Wicklow, the 6th, was established the same year).

      As Ireland’s smallest national park, the Burren covers 15km² or 5.7 mi². However, the Burren uplands geological region is much larger than that, spanning between 350km² – 560 km². Although the official designation of the Burren National Park may be small, this much larger territory is listed as the “Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark.” 

      As you’ll see below, the Burren has been home to humans for thousands of years, and contains a number of Neolithic and other prehistoric-era monuments.

      Geology & The Burren

      The lunar-like limestone landscape dominates the landscape, often lined with stone fences.

      The term “Burren”, Boireann in Irish, means “great rock”. Although some of the park includes lakes and bogs, the Burren is generally characterised by the exposed limestone landscape that is often described as lunar-esque and otherworldly. Initially formed during the Lower carboniferous period, the Burren was once a sea bed roughly 350 million years ago made of compressed sediments. Hiking in the region, you can easily spot fossils embedded in the rock – such as fossil corals, ammonites and sea urchins and more. 

      However, the Burren as we see it today is largely a result of the last glacial period, during which it was covered in ice. The melting of this ice had a dramatic effect on the landscape – moving and depositing sediments and large boulders (Glacial Erratics) as well as chipping away and eroding at the limestone beds. The Burren is today recognised as one of the best Glacio-karst landscapes in the world.

      Interested in geology? Read more about Ireland’s strange geology here. To learn more about the Burren’s geology of the Burren, check out their website here.

      Wildflowers & The Burren

      The Burren is Ireland’s most phenomenal wild garden. Every spring and early summer wildflowers sprout from every available crack in the rocky plateau. 

      Plants from the sub-arctic regions all the way to the Mediterranean grow side-by-side in the Burren; flora found in open grassy plains blossom alongside those typically found in rich woodland areas.

      Because of this, the Burren National Park is also regarded as one of the most significant regions for biodiversity and flora ecosystems in Europe.

      The best time to appreciate this phenomenon is during spring, from April through to June.

      Learn more about spring in Ireland here.

      According to experts, over 75% of plant species in Ireland can be found here in the Burren, including 23 of Ireland’s 27 orchids. 

      For a full list of flora found in the Burren, view the Burren National Park’s webpage. 

      And it doesn’t stop there – all of these flowers support a thriving ecosystem that includes 30+ types of butterflies as well as pine martens, foxes, rabbits, bats, and many types of birds. Learn more about birdwatching in Ireland birdwatching.

      Caves & The Burren

      Underground caverns at Ailwee Caves in the Burren

      Underground caverns at Ailwee Caves in the Burren.

      Another interesting thing about the Burren is what goes on beneath the surface of its unique limestone pavements. Because of its tendency to dissolve in acidic water, the limestone has given way to an astounding and labyrinthine network of caves.

      Formed over a million years ago, before the last great advance of ice, these caves were formed when rainwater seeped through ‘grikes’ – vertical fissures in the soft stone.

      At present, about 50 km of caves in the greater Burren region have been mapped, with more to be unearthed. The most famous and accessible cave in the region is Aillwee Cave, in which prehistoric Irish brown bear skeletons have been found, and is easily visited by those wanting a subterranean experience. 

      Hiking in the Burren National Park

      Carran Loop

      This loop is recommended for anyone seeking a long but lowland walk – it is about 9km in length. With a mixture of trails and countryside roads, the backdrop makes for a pretty picture. This loop also passes by one of the coolest spots in the region, The Burren Perfumery, which uses local ingredients to make organic scents and cosmetics. 

      Mullaghmore Hill

      Mullaghmore is the name of the Burren’s most iconic peak. We recommend the Blue Route, which is about 8km/3hrs hours. Although this climb is modest, the rough terrain and wild scenery keep it exciting. However, if you want more of a challenge, try the linear Red Route, which is slightly shorter but more difficult. At certain times of the year, there is a shuttle which will take you back to the car park. Explore the magic of the Burren on our West Coast hiking and island hopping trip here.

      Slieve Carran

      Slieve Carran is another of the nearby hills with a couple of short looped walks around the summit of this craggy peak, where you might spot falcons and hen harriers if you’re lucky. There is a small heritage and a holy well tucked under the cliff. The trail to the summit offers dramatic views, cliff top walks, and huge cairns – and of course, plenty of wildflowers. Both trails are under 3km and shouldn’t take more than a half hour. 

      Black Head

      A little further away is Black Head. Within the Burren region but outside the National Park, this beautiful headland not too far from Ballyvaughan looks out over Galway Bay, and even off to Galway city. Starting from the pretty lighthouse, you’ll follow a green road through a valley of boulders, through an Iron Age fort, up the limestone “steps,” past Neolithic tombs, and along cliff edges until you reach the top, overlooking the entire region of the Burren, Galway and out to Connemara. Hike Black Head when joining a hiking trip through Kerry & Clare – view trip here.

      Tips for Hiking in the Burren

      • Wear ankle-high hiking boots. The terrain isn’t wet so you could probably get by with trainers, but the uneven footing and the potential for putting your foot into a gryke or hole is always there. Therefore, boots with ankle support are your best bet. No need for gaiters though! Read more about hiking boots vs shoes here. 
      • As anywhere in Ireland – sunscreen is a must. We have some pretty dramatic skies here, but our latitude means that sunburns are a real concern. Even if you don’t think you need it, sunscreen is a good idea. 
      • You might think that shorts and short sleeves will be fine, but the rough nature of Ireland and Irish trails in general means that sometimes you’ll find yourself in high grass, scrub, heather, or forestry (though less often in the Burren). Also, our weather is very changeable and what started out as a hot day can quickly change pace. In any case, it’s always a good idea to have an extra layer to throw on.
      • Take a map or a guide. The Burren landscape’s beauty lies in its barrenness – but this can be its danger too, as sometimes it can be difficult to find the path. Be sure you know where you’re going.  

      Prehistory & The Burren

      Poulnabrone is one of Ireland’s most famous and impressive Neolithic portal tombs. Portal is one of four main types found in Ireland – chamber, passage, wedge and court tombs can be found dotted around the country. A portal tomb is generally defined as having at least two upright stones balancing a third monolith called a capstone, forming a table. 

      Excavations in the 1980s show evidence of 21 remains buried at Poulnabrone, and using radiocarbon dating, archaeologists have discovered that Poulnabrone was in use from 3180 to 3780 BC. Unlike Stonehenge and some of the other “mysterious” contemporary structures, the Poulnabrone Tomb was built using limestone blocks quarried from the limestone sheets of the Burren.

      Interested in knowing more about Neolithic Ireland? Learn more here. 


      What to Visit Nearby

      The Burren Perfumery

      This fascinating little café/perfumery uses locally sourced & foraged ingredients for its organic scents and cosmetics. They are passionate about the Burren and sharing its magic with visitors. Learn more. 

      The Burren Smokehouse

      Set up in 1989, the Burren Smokehouse is part of a recent trend of producing local, high quality cuisine and culinary experiences. Visit the Smokehouse to taste some of the organic smoked salmon trout, mackerel as well as cheeses, jams and more goodies.

      Kinvarra & Dunguaire Castle

      The bustling coastal town of Kinvarra is a lovely stop for an afternoon on the way to the Burren. They also have a beautiful castle rising out of a headland that resembles the famous Eilean Donan castle of Scotland. 

      Cliffs of Moher

      Everyone has heard of the Cliffs of Moher. Probably Ireland’s most iconic landscape, the Cliffs of Moher are 30 minutes from the Burren National Park. We recommend you skip the main car park and instead start in Liscannor, walking along the less-busy southern cliff walk. Read our guide here.

      Surfing at Lahinch

      Whether you love surfing or have simply always wanted to give it a go, you might head along the Wild Atlantic Way to the surf village of Lahinch for a lesson on catching waves. Learn more about surfing in Ireland here.

      Doolin

      Quaint and lovely, this wee town along the sea is probably best known for its music scene – Doolin and traditional Irish music have long been synonymous. Learn more about Irish trad music here.

      Burren Pop Culture

      Like many of Ireland’s wild places, the Burren has been known to inspire a story or two. As the story goes, JRR Tolkien had made several trips to the Burren when he was working on his famous trilogy – The Lord of the Rings. It’s not hard to imagine how this starkly desolate beautiful place may have inspired the worlds he created within Middle Earth. 

      As mentioned, the Burren is woven with caves and fissures. One such place is that of Pol na Gollum – the namesake of Tolkien’s most iconic creations, the character Gollum. Even more interestingly, the cave is known to make a strange gurgling noise suspiciously reminiscent of Gollum’s iconic cough. 

      Although there’s no proof confirming that the Burren was one of Tolkien’s Middle Earth inspirations, it certainly seems possible that the otherworldly landscape had a hand in shaping one of the most fantastical worlds ever created.

      If stories are your thing, you might like to read about other stories inspired, influenced and shaped by Ireland in our guide below.

      Read More

      Further Reading

      Co. Clare Travel Guide

      Cliffs of Moher Travel Guide

      Wildflowers: Bluebells in Ireland

      Why Visit Ireland in Spring?

      National Parks of Ireland

      Ireland’s Unusual Geology

      Ancient Ireland

      Visit the Burren

      Hiking

      Hiking – Kerry & Clare

      View Trip Details
      Hiking

      Hiking & Island Hopping – Ireland’s West Coast

      View Trip Details
      E-bike

      E-bike – Ireland’s West Coast

      View Trip Details

      Meet the Author: Dawn Rainbolt

      American by birth but European in spirit, Dawn has called the US, Costa Rica, Spain, England, Poland, France and now Ireland home over the years. While she has travelled to more than 30 countries, she has fallen in love with the rich Irish culture and sweeping landscapes of Ireland. Armed with a Masters Degree in Tourism Marketing and a love of writing and photography, she is Wilderness Ireland's Marketing Executive since 2017.

      View profile More by Dawn

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