Here in East Clare we have an abundance of wonderful circular or loop walks of varying length and these are way marked and well signposted. They are generally part of our main walking route, The East Clare Way.
They are located in and around the towns and villages that the East Clare Way passes through and the landscape, terrain and underfoot conditions are very similar to what you would encounter on the Way.
They are generally shorter walks than the East Clare Way (with a couple of exceptions) ranging from 1 to 4 hours and start and finish in the same place.
They are suited to the casual walker but are also regularly enjoyed by walkers of all ages and standards.
These loop walks are very suitable for families and school groups and also suit “if you just want to go for a stroll”
If you’re here for a week or even a couple of days, you can work in a Loop Walk or two amongst your main walking on the Way.

We generally have a leisurely loop walk lined up for you on the day you arrive – just to get you in the mood!

There are also many other loop walks, which are not necessarily Way Marked or anything like it, in all areas and especially within close proximity to us here in Clareville House ..........therefore, if you decide on any day to do a walk close to your base, with no extra travelling involved, that can be fitted in to your schedule without any bother and you can start and finish at Clareville House.
Our top Loop Walks are located at Ballycroum, Ballycuggeran, Cahermurphy and O’Briens Bridge.

Killaloe

Lough Graney District

We are the main Tour Operator in this area and we sometimes bring our guests to an attractive Loop Walk outside of our own area, just for a change, especially those who are with us for a week or more and very often we would go to the Clare Glens,  which is a wooded area along the banks of the Clare River, which separates counties Limerick and Tipperary.

There are 2 Loop Walks here and we usually advise that both would be walked,  which would be a 6 km walk lasting about 2/3 Hours, at a nice gentle pace.

Ballycroum Loop Walk

This loop walk, which is 9km long, is located in the townland of Ballycroum in the parish of Feakle and is part of the Network of National Looped Walks and is marked using the standard purple National Looped Walk directional arrows.The walk passes by a Holy Well in the middle of a bog as well as several wedge tombs.

Trail Summary Loop:  Ballycroum Loop Trailhead: Ballycroum Forest, Feakle, Co Clare Services: Feakle Village (5km) Distance: 9km Time: 2.5hrs - 3hrs Difficulty: Moderate Terrain: Mix of forestry, commonage and old laneways To Suit:  Medium level of fitness Minimum Gear: Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs, rucksack, fluid, snacks and mobile phone.   Back to top of the page

Cahermurphy Loop Walk

This Loop Walk  is  9km long and is located in the townland of Cahermurphy in the parish of Flagmount
It 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.
The loop starts and finishes in Flagmount and takes you past the White Sands Beach, with spectacular views of the countryside along the way.

Trail Summary Loop: Cahermurphy Loop Walk Trailhead: Cahermurphy Forest Car Park Services: Village of Flagmount (3km) Distance: 9km Time: 2.5 hrs -3hrs Difficulty: Moderate Terrain: Mix of minor roads, sandy paths, lake side walks, river bank paths, forestry roads and tracks. To Suit: Medium levels of fitness. Minimum Gear: Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs, rucksack, fluid, snacks and mobile phone.   Back to top of the page

Ballycuggaran Loop Walk

The start of this loop walk is located in the townland of Ballycuggaran, the homeland of the O'Cuggarans, an important family at the court of Brian Boru. The walking route is overlooking Lough Derg, the Annacarriga Valley and the hills that stretch from Caherhurley to Ogonnelloe.
The loop walk is part of the network of Shannon Region Loop Walks and is marked using the standard red Shannon Region Trails directional arrows.This 9km long loop walk starts and finishes at Two Mile Gate and is marked in both directions.

Trail Summary Loop:  Ballycuggaran Loop Walk Trailhead:  The loop starts/finishes at Rinnaman Point (Two-mile Gate) Services: Killaloe, Co. Clare (3km) Distance: 9km Time: 2.5 hrs - 3.5 hrs Difficulty: Moderate Terrain: Mix of minor roadways, laneways, forestry roads and tracks To Suit: Medium level of fitness Minimum Gear: Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs, rucksack, fluid, snacks and mobile phone.   Back to the top of the page

O’Briensbridge Loop Walks

The picturesque village of O'Briensbridge, Co Clare nestles on the banks of the River Shannon and borders three counties namely Clare, Limerick and Tipperary. The twin village is linked to its sister village, Montpelier in Co. Limerick on the other side of the River Shannon, by a 15th Century stone bridge. These loops are part of the network of National Looped Walks and are marked in both directions using the standard National Looped Walk directional arrows. The red and blue loops also include part of the Lough Derg Way marked with yellow arrows and the familiar trekking man logo.

Trail Summary Loop: O’Briensbridge  Loop Walks Trailhead: Riverside Park, O’Briensbridge, Co. Clare Services: O’Briensbridge, Co. Clare Distance/Time/Difficulty: Parteen Weir Loop (Green loop), 5km/1.5hrs Old Barge Loop (Red Loop), 12km/3.5hrs Errina Canal Loop (Blue Loop), 7km/2hrs Combination Loop, 16km/4hrs Difficulty: Moderate Terrain: Flat, firm terrain with mix of riverside paths and canal banks. To Suit: Medium level of fitness Minimum Gear: Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs, rucksack, fluid, snacks and mobile phone   Back to the top of the page.

Clare Glens Loop Walks

The Clare Glens is a wooded area along the banks of the Clare River, which separates counties Limerick and Tipperary.

 The scenery is breathtaking, with wild dense forest combined with the calm rushing of the crystal clear waters.

The Glens consist of a picturesque red sandstone gorge through which the Clare River flows and displays numerous waterfalls.

These loop walks are part of the network of National Looped Walks and are marked using the standard National Looped Walk directional arrows.

Trail Summary Trail: Clare Glens Loop Walks Trailhead: Clare Glens, Murroe, Co Limerick Services: Murroe (5km), Co. Limerick Dist/Time: Nature Loop (Green Loop) 2km / 30mins - 1hr Glen Loop (Purple Loop) 4km / 1-1hr 30 mins Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Woodland Paths To Suit: Medium level of fitness Min. Gear: Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs, rucksack, fluid, snacks, mobile phone   Back to the top of the page

www.clarewalkingtours.ie