The trail, typically completed in five days,[1] comprises sections of tarmac road, boreen, droving road, path and forestry track.[1] It is designated as a National Waymarked Trail by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council and is managed by the Burren Way Committee.[3]
Route
The trail begins at the beach at Lahinch and follows minor roads to reach the Cliffs of Moher before continuing on roads to the village of Doolin.[4][5] The route continues on roads to Lisdoonvarna.[6] North of Lisdoonvarna, the Way joins a boreen between the townlands of Ballinalacken and Formoyle, crossing the plateau above the Caher Valley below Slieve Elva mountain.[7] This section passes a number of places of historical interest, including Ballinalacken Castle, several ruined stone forts and Newtown Castle.[7] The trail rejoins the road to reach Ballyvaughan.[8] From Ballyvaughan, the route mostly follows roads to Corofin via Carran and Killinaboy.[9]
The Burren Way originally followed a trail above the Cliffs of Moher from Hag's Head.[10] Many walkers now start from Ballyvaughan to walk the boreen the Way follows in its northern sections and eschew the southern sections altogether.[11] A review of the National Waymarked Trails in 2010 found low usage of the Burren Way by multiday walkers but high usage by day walkers on certain sections.[3] The report found that route has good potential to be developed as a National Long Distance Trail, a new standard of trail in Ireland intended to meet international standards for outstanding trails, but significant work to achieve this is required.[12] The report recommended that the proportion of road used by the trail be reduced as a matter of priority.[3]
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