(04 Aug 2009)
This loop starts and finishes in Fanore, a small village situated on the west coast of north
County Clare. Fanore's Gaelic meaning "fainne oir" means ring of gold, with reference to its beautiful sandy beach. The
Caher Valley runs down to Fanore between Slieve Elva and Gleninagh. It has one of the few rivers in
the Burren, the Caher, which cuts its way down through the rock and glacial deposit to emerge on the strand at Fanore and enter the sea. This loop walk is part of the network of walks under the Shannon Region Trails Programme and is marked using the standard red Shannon Region Trails directional arrows.
(13 Feb 2009)
The unspoilt
village of Carron lies in the heart of the Burren at one of the highest points in the Burren Mountains and overlooks the largest turlough (disappearing lake) in Western Europe.
(01 Aug 2009)
The Burren is a limestone plateau occupying an area of over 100 square miles in North Clare. It is an area of
scenic attractions where stone-grey hills and the valleys beneath reveal many prehistoric remains. The unfolding layers of limestone form terraces on the slopes of the hills and the area has been described as a 'lunar' landscape. The first section of the loop follows part of the long-distance Burren Way, climbing up towards Aillwee Cave takes you along the side of Aillwee Mountain and back down to the seaside village Ballyvaughan. This loop is part of the network of national Looped Walks and is marked using the standard purple Looped Walk directional arrows.
(01 Aug 2009)
The
Black Head Loop commences in Fanore, climbs up through Ballelly, along part of the Burren Way to the Caher Valley, crosses part of the Gleinagh Mountain and eventually decends down the R477. The loop affords some wonderful views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. This loop is part of a network of National Looped Walks and is marked using the standard purple National Lopped Walk directional arrows.