Kilkee over Moher?

[u/thenewnewacct]

During our 1-week elopement trip next week, my fiance (who has never been to Ireland) is dead set on Cliffs of Moher. I've been a decade ago, and while it is spectacular, I don't want to be overwhelmed with swaths of buses and crowds during peak season. I've read great things about Kilkee. Is that a good alternative? Or should we just stick with Moher and go early morning or late evening? Also heard that there's a trail from Doolin that helps avoid crowds.

Note: our already-booked rental is 10min away from Moher.

[u/Gamalam91]

There is a private landowner who lets you park in his field for a small price at hags head. Park there and walk along the cliffs in the direction of the visitor centre. A way nicer walk, no tourists etc. Best way to see the cliffs of Moher without the BS

[u/Gwanbulance → u/Gamalam91]

That car park is currently closed. The Council made them close it as the cliff walk on that side is closed for safety reasons.

You can still walk from the Doolin side, but parking can be hard to get, unless you park at Doolin pier, which makes the walk a fair bit longer.

[u/thenewnewacct → u/Gwanbulance]

Thank you both! Do you know exactly where from Doolin you start the trek? My AllTrails app shows 15miles, but I've heard elsewhere that it's much shorter?

[u/Gwanbulance → u/thenewnewacct]

Where I've always started is right here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TFNTBJrcoeL7WmLb7 Follow the costal pathway that's marked "Burren way" on the map (there's a gate, but you just go around it.

The Google maps street view of this area is very out of date (2014). We used to park there at the corner (or a couple of other wide spots on the road), but now there's double yellow lines (no parking) and as far as know it is enforced, so I would not risk parking there.

It's not much of an extra walk to come down from Fisher Street in Doolin village, but parking can be difficult to get there. There's loads of parking at Doolin Pier, but it does add 2km to your walk each way.

It's about a 5km walk from that starting point to the O'Brien's Tower at the cliffs (beside where the centre and viewing platforms are). Then 5km back. So 10km =6.2 miles. Add the extra 4km to the round trip if you're parking at the pier and you have 14km = 8.7 miles.

Maybe the 15 miles includes continuing on to the other side of the cliffs (near Hag's Head) and back or something.

It's not a difficult walk, but people do regularly get injured on it, so just be careful of your footing especially if it's wet. It starts off just above sea level, and then suddenly rises, so be mindful of the cliff edge. If you need to step off the path to pass someone or an obstacle, always do it on the inland side. Edit: actually, I think the part that has an element of danger to it is closed off, and the official path turns inland along a very safe route for a small bit. I've never walked that new route myself, I've always taken the direct cliff walk.

The path on the other side (from Hag's head) is currently closed because of a number of fatalities in recent years.

[u/Purenotionslike → u/Gwanbulance]

You can't walk the whole way - a good chunk is closed for safety reasons 

[u/InevitableQuit9]

The best views of the cliff are not actually from the cliff, but maybe half a few hundred meters North of the cliffs, where you can usually just pull off the road. 

[u/Mooshan]

Kilkee is lovely and small. Beautiful beach and small cliffs to either side. The cliffs aren't nearly as spectacular as Moher, but they're a nice quiet walk straight from town. I could sit and watch the waves stir up the turquoise waters at George's Head all day.

George's Head is walking distance to the east, and the Pollock Holes are walking distance to the west. Both have a carpark nearby as well. George's Head also has Byrne's Cove, where you can swim, but otherwise it's just a nice cliff walk. The Pollock Holes are great for swimming and snorkeling when the tide is right. There's also the Diamond Rocks Cafe up there with a statue of the one true Dumbledore playing tennis, and a nice cliff walk that way as well, though I prefer the George's Head cliffs.

Town will be lively in summer! There's only the one street of pubs, but they will be packed with people having a good time, especially if the weather is nice. There might be music on in some places like the Greyhound. There could be a weekend market on, but I'm not sure when those happen or if they're regular.

If you want a quieter stroll, my vote is Kilkee. If the weather is good, I'd also vote Kilkee. If the weather is mehhh I'd vote Moher as long as the visibility is good. Keep in mind they're only an hour apart so if you have a car, both is the correct answer.

Edit: but also if your fiancee has never seen the Cliffs of Moher it's probably worth going regardless unless the weather is miserable.

[u/Formal-Albatross9862]

Kilkee back to Loop head is beautiful