Trail · County Clare

Ballyvaughan - Black Head Loop

24.1 km7 hrChallengingLoop480 m climbNo dogs

Route shape, north at the top · starts and finishes at the dot · Sport Ireland

This loop is a mix of Burren hill and coast, following green laneways, tracks, and mountain paths and taking in Fanore Beach, the Caher Valley and part of Gleninagh Mountain with some wonderful views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. It is also rich in the Burren wildflowers.

Maps and more

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Outdoors in County Clare this week

Best day outdoors: Sun, 1 Nov — dry by day, light winds, up to 11°C

Thu, 29 Oct14° / 12°Sun with grey cloudGreat day outdoors
Fri, 30 Oct15° / 11°Grey cloudGreat day outdoors
Sat, 31 Oct13° / 8°Grey cloudGreat day outdoors
Sun, 1 Nov11° / 6°Scattered cloudsGreat day outdoors

Forecast: Met Éireann · outdoor rating by Winsome Planet

Make a day of it

The nearest trails, beaches, woods and heritage within 25 km.

Trails & walks

Trail · 100 m awayFanore Ballyvaughan Trek20.8 km5 hrChallengingLinearThis is a fabulous mostly off-road walk traversing the old famine green road high around Black Head, climbing to the top of the pass between Cappanawalla and Gleninagh Mountain, including some minor road and finishing…

Trail · 300 m awayCaher Valley Loop14.1 km3 hr 30 minModerateLoopThis loop climbs gradually up the Caher Valley on minor road, before following an elevated green road, the highlight of the walk, and descending on quiet road. Fine views of the surrounding Burren landscape with those…

Trail · 8.7 km awayBallyvaughan - Wood Loop8.8 km2 hrModerateLoopThis loop on minor roadways, green lanes, woodland and cross country, explores the valley behind the seaside village of Ballyvaughan with splendid views of the surrounding Burren's folded limestone layers. It passes…

Beaches & bathing waters

Beach · 500 m awayFánóirFanoreWater quality: Excellent (2025)Blue FlagLifeguards in seasonToiletsFanore is a sandy beach underlain by gently sloping stepped limestone, which is exposed in parts at low tide. Fanore beach contains a dune area to the northeast which supports a variety of vegetation. Activities include…

Beach · 11 km awayCeathrú an EaspaigBishopsquarterWater quality: Excellent (2025)Lifeguards in seasonToiletsParkingBishopsquarter is located in the Ballyvaughan Bay. There are a variety of habitats including rocky shores, muddy shores, a lagoon, low islands, sand dunes and a turlough. These habitats support a variety of plant and…

Forests & woodlands

Forest · 8.3 km awayCoill na nGrágánGragan's Wood1 trailParking

Parks, gardens & islands

Nature spot · 1.7 km awayMurrooghtoohyBeachFanoreReach the pinnacle of Murrooghtoohy in County Clare and enjoy the amazing views of Galway Bay, the Aran Islands, Oranmore Bay and Galway City.

Nature spot · 2.1 km awayCaher Bridge GardenGardenFanoreSet in the beautiful Burren region of County Clare, Caher Bridge Garden is found near Fanore. It is based around a restored riverside cottage and blends sensitively with its surroundings.

Heritage sites

Heritage site · 15 km awayMainistir Chorca MruaCorcomroe AbbeyReligious houseAbbey WestCorcomroe Abbey is beautifully situated on the edge of the rocky hills of the Burren. It was founded for Cistercian monks around 1195 as a daughter house of the Abbey at Inisloughnaght, Co. Tipperary. The church was…

Heritage site · 19 km awayBurren and Cliffs of Moher GeoparkUNESCO Global GeoparkDoolinJust to the north of the Cliffs of Moher you will find the Burren, a strange and beautiful karst landscape with its own extraordinary geological, natural and cultural distinctiveness. Together these two complimentary…