CLARE: Walking through wonders of Burren

BALLYVAGHAN, THE BURREN, CO CLARE

THIS loop walk, largely on green or un-trafficked by-roads, takes us through a unique landscape, the limestone pavements and stone walls of The Burren. We enjoy close views of limestone cliffs and small, rocky fields supporting unique flora, orchids, stunted blackthorn, whitethorn and holly.

Leaving the car park, we walk a 200m on the N67 in the Galway direction and take the second turn right, L5036, signposted Lough Rask. As we walk between houses, there is a small cemetery on the left. Cowslips grow amongst the old headstones in springtime. Soon the stone-scape of the Burren comes into view, and we see how bright green fields lap the very margins of the bare limestone on the hillsides.