If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, it’s likely you’ve scheduled a day or more to see the stunning Cliffs of Moher. If you haven’t, make sure to get them on your list ASAP as they are completely worth the hype.
A mistake that people often make is that they book a coach trip which drops them off at the Cliffs of Moher visitor center for a few hours. If you’re in a time crunch, this option works, but if you truly want to experience the area I highly recommend booking a walk with a local. Not only will this bring some revenue into the local economy, but these are the people who know the history of the area best! They’ll be able to answer all of your questions and take you to the most scenic spots while still keeping safety in mind.
Read on for my five top reasons to hire a guide and go on a walk over the Cliffs of Moher.
1. You get more VIEWS!
The Cliffs of Moher are stunning from every angle, but there’s only so far you can walk from the visitor’s center when you’re on a schedule. When walking from the local town of Doolin to the visitor center, you have the opportunity to see a variety of local landscapes, including a tower and wild horses! There are a few local buses which depart from the visitor center and go back to various locations, which don’t need to be pre-booked.
2. Less people = better experience & pictures
As I’ve said previously, there’s no shame in the visitor center game, but it is a different experience in terms of crowds. Taking a few hours to hike along the cliffs allows for ample time to take in the scenes and snap some pictures without worrying if there is anyone in the background. It’s a great way to meet other tourists as well, and provides and opportunity to exchange ideas based on travel experiences.
3. Often hikes are led by a local who has access to private land
From what I remember, a group of local farmers agreed to allow certain guides on the outskirts of their land along the cliffs. You have to book a guide who is from around the area in order to be allowed on these trails, so it’s sort of like paying for a museum ticket to get exclusive access to certain exhibits. This means the trail is upkept, safe, and unique!
4. Exposed to wildlife which isn’t around the visitor center
While Ireland is known for having no snakes around, there are plenty of other creatures! We were able to get a glimpse of some wild horses and puffins on our walk, which I can’t imagine you would be able to see with the crowds at the visitor center. It helped that the guide knew exactly where to look on the rocks for these cute and rare little birds.
5. Get that workout in!
I’m not really the type to fit a fitness schedule into my travels, but there is something exhilarating about spending some time getting your heart rate up on some of the most beautiful hills on earth (am I exaggerating? I don’t think so.) After a couple of days downing pints of Guinness and potatoes in a variety of forms, it was nice to stretch my legs and wake up a bit!
That being said, let me link to some of the highly recommended tours along the Cliffs of Moher:
- From Cork, Ireland: 1 Day Cliffs of Moher & Atlantic Edge Walk
- Meet in Doolin, Ireland: Small-Group Cliffs Of Moher Guided Walking Tour from Doolin
- Meet in Doolin, Ireland: Small-Group Cliffs Of Moher Guided Walking Tour from Doolin (Expedia)
- Meet in Doolin, Ireland: Doolin Cliff Walk
Hope this blog post has inspired you to consider a day out hiking the Cliffs of Moher! It was one of the best days of our week in Ireland, and I would highly recommend to families, couples, or solo travelers alike.
Go n-éirí leat! Good luck!
x Melissa
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