Loop: Ballyvaghan Wood Loop
Trailhead: Ballyvaghan, Co. Clare
Services: Ballyvaghan village
Dist/Time: 8kn / 2hrs-2hrs 30 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Surfaced roadway, green roads, tracks, cross country
To suit: Medium level of fitness
Min Gear: Trekking Shoes, waterproofs, fluid, snacks, mobile phone
The Burren is a limestone plateau occupying an area of over 100 square miles in North Clare. It is an area of scenic attractions where stone-grey hills and the valleys beneath reveal many prehistoric remains. The unfolding layers of limestone form terraces on the slopes of the hills and the area has been described as a 'lunar' landscape. The first section of the loop follows part of the long-distance Burren Way, climbing up towards Aillwee Cave takes you along the side of Aillwee Mountain and back down to the seaside village Ballyvaughan. This loop is part of the network of national Looped Walks and is marked using the standard purple Looped Walk directional arrows.
Start from the village of Ballyvaughan which is located on the R477 and is a one hour drive north of Ennis. The trailhead is located in the village, at the car park on the coast road to Fanore.
A - B. Start from the trailhead directly opposite the entrance to the road which takes you past the primary school, which is also part of the Burren Way. Follow the various purplearrows across a series of stone stiles and wooden sections to exit into a field which takes you on to a surfaced roadway where the loop turns left and leaves the Burren way, which turns right.
B - C. Follow the surfaced roadway for approximately 300m to reach the N67 - turn left, and almost immediately, turn right again onto a minor road. Follow this road to its conclusion at a metal gate into a field. Cross the stile and follow the purple arrows across the fields, and through a path cut through a wooden area, and sandy roadways to exit close to the entrance to Aillwee Cave where you turn left.
C - D. Now follow the roadway for approximately 2km to reach a T-junction where you turn left. Pass through a gateway and join a green road. Follow this green road for approximately 300m to exit at a double gate. Continue straight as the green roadway changes to a surfaced roadway and eventually reaches a T-junstion where you turn left to a minor surfaced road.
D - A. After approximately 400m on this surfaced road you join the N67 Galway road where you turn left for the last trek back through the village of Ballyvaghan to the trailhead.
Ballyvaughan Wood Loop Downloadable Map
Head Office, Shannon Town Centre,
Shannon, Co Clare: t: +353 (0)61 361555 f: +353 (0)61 361903