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Loop Head Walk

0.93 miles (1.5 km)

Open Streetmap This short circular walk explores this coastal headland at the mouth of the River Shannon, in County Clare. In 2013, Loop Head was named the 'Best Place to Holiday in Ireland' and was shortlisted in the Best Destination category at the World Responsible Tourism awards. The scenery is very beautiful but it is also a quiet place with less tourists than some of the other nearby coastal highlights of this part of Ireland.
This short walk takes you around the lighthouse at the end of the peninsula. You can park next to the lighthouse and then pick up footpaths taking you to Cuchullin's Leap where you can see the giant sea stack. There's fabulous sea views and lot of coastal birds to look out for on the headland. The area is free to explore but for a fee you can also climb to a great viewing platform in the lighthouse.
To continue your coastal walking in County Clare head to the wonderful Cliffs of Moher. The walk is one of the most popular in Ireland with spectacular cliff top views and puffins and razorbills to look out for on the cliffs.
You can virtually explore the area using the google street view link below!

Loop Head Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the north east you can pick up the popular Kilkee Cliff Walk. The coastal path provides views of the Aran Islands to the North, Kerry to the South and back to Loop Head to the south west.
Head south into County Kerry and there's more splendid cliff top walking on the Ballybunion Cliff Walk. There's great beaches and lots of wildlife including sea birds on the cliffs and dolphins in the waters below.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Loop Head lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 1088805

Loop Head lighthouse 1

Loop Head, County Clare, Ireland

Loop Head lighthouse 2

Coast at Loop Head - geograph.org.uk - 1088827

Coast at Loop Head

Coastline at Loop Head - geograph.org.uk - 1088823

Coastline at Loop Head

Lighthouse wall at Loop Head - geograph.org.uk - 1088815

Lighthouse wall at Loop Head

Loop Head lighthouse boundary wall - geograph.org.uk - 1088819

Loop Head lighthouse boundary wall

Aillnagreagh, Loop Head - geograph.org.uk - 1088809

Aillnagreagh 1

Aillnagreagh, Loop Head - geograph.org.uk - 1088812

Aillnagreagh 2

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Loop Head.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)