Map

Black Head Loop

The Black Head Loop commences in Fanore, climbs up through Ballelly, along part of the Burren Way to the Caher Valley, crosses part of the Gleinagh Mountain and eventually decends down the R477.  The loop affords some wonderful views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands.  This loop is part of a network of National Looped Walks and is marked using the standard purple National Lopped Walk directional arrows.

Directions to Trailhead

Start from village of Fanore which is located on the R477, half way between Ballyvaghan village and Doolin village in County Clare .  Fanore is a one hour north of Ennis.  The trailhead is located at Fanore Beach car park.

A-B.  Exiting from the car park at Fanroe Beach , turn right on the surfaced road – following the purple arrow (and the red arrow for the shorter Caher Valley Loop).  Follow the road for 200, to reach the Primary School on your left – veer left here and join the sandy roadway which takes you off the main road.  After nearly 1km the sandy road joins a surfaced roadway – turn left.

B-C.  Now the loops begins to ascend through Ballelly and after 3km meets the Burren way (marked with yellow arrows and the familiar walking man logo).

C-D.  Turn sharp left at this junction, and join the green road which takes you along the shoulder if Slieve Elva (on your right).  Continue to follow the purple arrows (and yellow arrows on the

D-E. Here te shorter Caher Valley Loop (red arrows) turns left and makes its way back to the trailhead – your loop continues to follow the Burren Way as it crosses the Caher Valley road and turns right and then immediately left.  The loop crosses a ridge of Gleninagh Mountain and Cathair an Ard Rios, then joins a surfaced road where the

E-F. Follow the purple arrow.  After a short distance the loop follows a farm road to the right and climbs to meet a path which takes a right turn back in the direction of the R477 and the coast.

F-A.  Follow a pathway by a stone wall, then right and descend along a pathway to join the green road which takes you around Black Head and affords you some spectacular West of Ireland scenery.  The green road eventually exits onto the R477 at the village of Fanore .  Turn left and enjoy the last section of the loop back to the trailhead.

Downloads

Black Head Loop Download Map