The cliffs span over 8 miles starting in Doolin to the North and ending at Hags Head to the South.
We will discuss the two way of seeing the Cliffs. One way is via the massively busy visitors center or our preferred way through the Cliffs Of Moher Coastal Walk.
Before we jump into the specifics let’s cover some essentials that you should know to help plan your visit.
Cliffs Of Moher Weather
To get a feel for the weather you can visit the live weather cam and wind gauge located at the visitors center.
I also recommend having a look at the Irish National Weather Service which will help you to plan for a good weather day for your visit.
People will also tell you to avoid mornings due to fog but I wouldn’t rule out the mornings. They are a great time to visit and you’ll beat the crowds by going early.
While too much fog isn’t a good thing, a little fog can really add to the experience making for an even more dramatic scene. If it is foggy it will likely burn off as the day goes on. Most importantly, just don’t be in a hurry.
Getting Here
But if this is your only option it’s still definitely worth the experience.
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Cliffs Of Moher From Dublin
Cliffs of moher from galway
Cliffs Of Moher From Doolin
This charming coastal town while small still packs a punch. It’s full of energy, live music, and a fun pub scene.
Be sure to check out the Doonagore Castle just outside of Doolin.
One piece of advice, book your accommodations early in Doolin. This place fills up fast. We tried booking 3 months out and there was nothing!
The Coastal Walk from Doolin to the visitors center is about 5 miles (2-2.5 hours).
If you continue to Hags Head from the visitors center that’s another 6 miles.
There is a hop-on hop-off shuttle service that makes hiking the full or just part of the trail a breeze.
Cliffs Of Moher Map
You can download this high-resolution printable map along with other travel resources
Visiting The Cliffs Of Moher
The trail runs for miles along the edge of the cliffs with endless spots to relax and take in the views.
The busiest times for Moher are between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. which corresponds to when the tour buses are here.
The visitors Center
If you’ve opted for a tour bus package the visitors center is where you’ll start. Don’t be discouraged by the crowds as they quickly thin out once you start hiking from the visitors center.
Visitors Center Hours Of Operation
January 09:00 – 17:00.
February 09:00 – 17:00.
March 08:00 – 19:00.
April 08:00 – 19.00.
May to August 08:00 – 21:00.
September 08:00 – 19:00.
October 08:00 – 19:00.
November 09:00 – 17:00.
December 09:00 – 17:00.
Entrance Fee
There really isn’t an entrance fee per se but rather a parking fee. You’ll pay $8 for parking or you can purchase online in advance for a discounted rate of $4.
To climb Obrian’s Tower you’ll have to pay an additional $2.
If you hike in from Doolin or another town along the coastal walk trail you won’t have to pay any entrance fees.
Cliffs Of Moher Coastal Walk
If you’re starting here you can hang either a right towards Doolin or the more popular way towards Hags Head. I would recommend taking a left towards Hags Head if you’re starting from the visitors center.
Once you get to the boundary of the visitors center property you’ll come to a gate like thing that warns of certain death if you venture past here. Ignore and walk through the gate but don’t be stupid because from here on out there is no fencing protecting you from the crumbling and delicate edge of the cliffs.
Plenty of people have fallen to their death here trying to get that perfect Instagram shot!
Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk Details
Be sure to download the printable map which has all the trail info below plus some additional hiking options.
The trail itself is loose gravel but pretty moderate in grade. There is little to no shade so plan accordingly.
- Liscannor – Doolin 12.5 miles, 4-5 hours
- Moher Sports Field – Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center 4 miles, 2 hours
- Cliffs of Moher Visitors Center – Doolin 5 miles, 2.5 hours
- Cliffs of Moher Visitors Center – Hags Head 6 miles, 3 hours
Cliffs of Moher Final Thoughts
- Stay near the cliffs at Doolin or one of the other nearby towns.
- The busiest times especially near the visitors center are 11-4 so plan accordingly.
- Check the weather before you go!
- If you’re here for Photography, the West facing cliffs are best in the evenings.
- Bring extra layers because the ocean breeze can get chilly.