East Clare Way

Walking
County Clare
3.5/5
3 reviews
Grade Moderate
Length 168.8 km
Time 8 days
Format Loop
Ascent 3060 m
Dogs Allowed No
Waymarking Yellow arrow on black background
Start Point
Car park ‘Between the Waters’ in Killaloe
Finish Point
Car park ‘Between the Waters’ in Killaloe
Nearest Town to Start Killaloe
Grid Ref. R 70393 73003
Lat. and Long. 52.80739, -8.43979
Lough Graney - East Clare Way

County Clare in Ireland is renowned for its great music, set dancing, and its unique limestone landscape. East Clare, however, presents another face of the county, a little known, hidden land, a district that has a character all of its own.

A land of mountains and lakes, it covers roughly 400 sq miles, with the town of Ennis to the west, Limerick to the south, the Slieve Aughty Mountains to the north, and the broad reaches of Lough Derg forming its eastern boundary. The East Clare Way is a 180km circular walking route that wends its way through the wildest part of the region while touching on its many villages. Terrain consists of mainly quiet tarmac roads, forestry tracks, bog roads, open ground and field paths. Some sections off-road can be wet and muddy, and some road sections carry fast traffic. The aggregate ascent over the whole route is about 3000m, and although there are a few short, steep sections, there are no significant climbs. This is a route that will appeal to walkers who like a bit of wilderness and are interested in monuments of the past, as the rare hen harrier, the merlin and herds of Sika deer may be spotted along the way, which is scattered with dolmens, holy wells and ancient churches, one of which, at Tuamgraney, was frequented by the 11th century High King of Ireland, Brian Ború.

Overnight accommodation options in the area are good.

Trail Management

Clare Walks, Main Street, Tulla, Co. Clare, V95 C4E0.
Email: info@clarewalks.ie
Web: www.clarewalks.ie

Facilities

Car parking
At Start/Finish - on street in Killaloe or in small car park beside bridge

95 kms or 53% of the Way follows local roads. Trail Surface issues
***Dogs not permitted on the East Clare Way***

Map Guides

Map Guides

The East Clare Way Walkers Map Guide and An illustrated guide to the Long Distance Walking Route - published by East Clare Way Ltd

OSI Maps

OSI Maps

Discovery Series Sheets 52, 53, 58 and 59* (*ca 1 km in Whitegate)
Public Transportation

Public Transportation

Bus services to and from Killaloe & Ballina available.
Bus Eireann
Local Link - https://www.locallinklc.ie/2020/01/24/route-c2-scariff-killaloe-scariff/

3 trail reviews
3.5/5
Write your own review of this trail
4/5
08/13/2023

Vinny Mc Inerney from Clare

Done from the 12 O clock hill onto the trail to two mile gate through Broadford section a few times , mostly good but the first 1km is slop, so bad the mountain bikes seem to have thrown down some pallets , rest of the section is stone trailer and good one of 2 crosses not marked but it's a lovely scenic route, must start doing some other sections
3/5
12/23/2014

David from Clare

A trail that could be fantastic.. It is a shame, however, that over the last number of years the more attractive, original and interesting off-road sections have been closed and rerouted onto tarmac roads.
05/19/2011

Mike Connelly from Tipperary

Walked the Tulla to Feakle section in May 2011. Nice walk but last 6 km or so to Feakle were on tarmaced roads.

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