Along Ireland’s rugged and majestic western seaboard, the Wild Atlantic Way — the longest coastal driving route in all of Europe (2,500 km/1,500 mi) — snakes its way around, through and over jagged-rock defenses that constantly do battle against the elements, passing by some of the Emerald Isle’s most iconic locales, like our hop-off point for the day: the jaw-dropping Cliffs of Moher.
The country’s most-visited natural attraction — one million-plus guests per year and counting — the Cliffs of Moher, named after the eponymous fort that once stood at the apex of the rugged terrain, is a towering 8 km (4.8 mi) stretch, as the puffin flies, of steep, striated limestone buttes overlooking the ever-churning, deep-blue Atlantic in idyllic County Clare.
Follow the pathway from the car park down to a wide pasture, dotted with cows just chewing their cud, then hang a right around the wooden Cliffs of Moher Experience totem until you reach your first destination: the award-winning, fully-accessible visitor center embedded into the hillside. Here, you’ll purchase your pass, take in the self-guided exhibition and screen the unbelievable Ledge 4D Experience, a short, interactive cliff-face adventure inside the center’s small theatre.
Back outside, head straight for O’Brien’s Tower, a former 19th century, round stone observation post, where you’ve got the perfect vantage point to capture both Hags Head to the south and Knockardakin, the cliff’s highest point (214m/702 ft), to the north, with your lens, and loads more killer views in between.
A UNESCO Global Geopark, the Cliffs of Moher offers 800 meters of safe walkways and viewing platforms. Beyond this, there’s the Cliffs of Moher Trail, a challenging grade 5 rustic network of narrow paths, that extends from Doolin to Liscannor. If you’re a thrill seeker, you’re advised to stay on the designated trail and do not venture beyond walls or barriers. Depending on prevailing winds, sometimes quite fierce, along with rapidly changing weather conditions, the route can really be hazardous to your life expectancy.
Pardon the cliché, but standing atop the Cliffs of Moher and looking out to sea just takes your breath away (read, hyperventilate). The rattling sound you may hear is just your knees knocking as you peer down at the vertical rising.
For detailed tourist information, visit the Cliffs of Moher Experience website. Safe travels!
©️ThePalladianTraveler
Very beautiful.
Thanks!
Great article! Love the video. Unfortunately, since the advent of mass tourism, these spectacular cliffs have become quite dangerous due to visitors trying to take selfies, who venture too close to the edge, often improperly shod. Given the likelihood of sudden gusts of wind, combined with lack of judgement and plain foolishness, there have been quite a number of tragedies there over the past few years.
Right you are, unfortunately.