Hags Head Cliffs Of Moher Walk: Trail Guide + Map

The Hags Head Cliffs of Moher Walk is a moderate, 5.3km linear trail that takes between 1.5 and 2 hours depending on your pace.

In my opinion, it’s the best of the Cliffs of Moher walks, although the Doolin Cliff Walk tends to be a favourite amongst many.

There’s a car park at the start of the trail (if you’re walking from Liscannor follow this guide) and you’re treated to some magnificent views of the cliffs from beginning to end.

TRAIL NOW CLOSED (August 2024 update): This trail has been closed due to safety concerns. Work is due to commence this year to make the path safer, so please avoid until that time. There are plenty of other things to do in Doolin instead.

Some quick need-to-knows about the Hags Head Cliffs of Moher Walk

There are several need-to-knows about the Hags Head Walk, so take 20 seconds to scan the points below before scrolling to the map:

1. Parking

There’s a very handy car park right near the trailhead (here on Maps). It’s €5 to park and they use an honest box, so have some change ready!

2. Getting back to the start point

You have two options for getting back to the car park:

• Walk: Retrace your steps (this brings the total trail to 10.6km/3-4 hours
• Bus + walk: Get the 350 Bus Éireann route from the coach car park (you’ll need to walk an hour from Liscannor to the car park)
• My 2 cents: The walk back to Hags Head is more enjoyable than the bus + walk option

3. Length

The Hags Head Cliffs Of Moher Walk is a 5.3km linear trail that takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. If you walk to Moher and back, it’ll be 10.6km/3-4 hours.

4. Difficulty

This is a moderate walk that will be doable for most with decent fitness levels. The ground is very uneven at times and there are some inclines, but nothing overly taxing.

5. Safety warning

The path that runs to the north and south at Moher takes you near the unguarded cliff edge. Tragedies have happened in recent years, so please, please, please avoid going anywhere near the edge. ALWAYS stay on the trail and never venture off of it.

An overview of the Hags Head Walk with map

So, you need to park up (here on Maps) and then head out of the car park and take a left.

You’ll then follow a pretty good trail for 1km (around 15 minutes) to what is known as ‘Moher Tower’.

Moher Tower

The current Moher Tower is one of Ireland’s many Napoleonic-era watchtowers that can be found dotted along the coastline.

Although the tower that you see before you was built around 1808, there was a promontory fort here since around 1790.

To the left of the tower, you’ll get a good eyeful of some glorious Clare coastline.

Your first sight of the cliffs

One of the beauties of the Hags Head Walk is that you see Moher around 12 minutes (650m) after leaving Moher Tower.

The views stay with you for the majority of the walk to the visitor centre. You’ll pass a series of quarries on the way.

Please note that the path isn’t great in places here and people are often tempted to stray off of the main trail – please don’t do this as you’ll put yourself in danger.

The South Viewpoint

Around 40 minutes after leaving Hags Head, you’ll arrive at this viewpoint.

It provides you with the most impressive eyeful of the cliffs that you get on the trail.

The only trade-off is that this part of the walk is much busier, as the visitor centre, where most people enter from, is close by.

The ‘main section’ and getting back to the car park

You’ll soon see O’Brien’s Tower off in the distance, along with the visitor centre – expect it to be busy!

From here, head up to the tower and soak up the views of the cliffs from this angle.

And that is a wrap on the Hags Head Cliffs Of Moher Walk. When you’re ready, either retrace your steps or take the bus back to Liscannor.

Other things to do in Clare

There are endless things to do in Clare at any time of the year. Below, you’ll find a few of my favourites:

• Take the ferry from Doolin to the Aran Islands
• Visit Loop Head Lighthouse and the Kilbaha Cliffs
• Tackle the Kilkee Cliff Walk
• Take the Bunratty Castle Tour
• See Father Ted’s House
• Conquer one of the Burren walks