Loop Head Trail

On a misty Sunday morning, I decided to head back to the most westerly point of Co. Clare - Loop Head.  This really is a mystical place with Irish legends about Cuchulainn connected to it.  It is about 20 mins west of the seaside town of Kilkee.  The starting point of my run was in the picturesque village of Kilbaha.  There is a lovely pub/restaurant called Keatings where you can park your car.  This pub has a great sign on it telling you that it is the last pub until you reach New York.

From Kilbaha to Loop Head Lighthouse is about 4.5km long and it is a on a quiet country road.  It is quite a hilly climb for about 2km but levels out then.  As you approach the lighthouse, there are spectacular views as you can see water on both sides.  Unfortunately,  today was not a day for that as it was foggy and misty on my way back but this was very refreshing.

Once you reach the lighthouse there is a lovely trail around the head that is about 1.5km long.  You can extend it further if you want to.  It has spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and on a clear day you can see across to Co. Kerry and up to the Aran Islands.  There is a spectacular sea stack that has many colonies of seagulls on it.  The spray of the waves hitting the rocks can be felt on a wild, fresh day.

While you here, you can visit the Loop Head Lighthouse which is open from March to November.  It is becoming a very popular tourist attraction along with the spectacular views that surround it.  Loop Head Tourism are doing an excellent job to promote it.  For more information, you can look up http://loopheadclare.com/activities/attractions/

 Running back to Kilbaha village is very much downhill for the last few kilometres so that will help you finish your run at your leisure.  Keating's Pub will be waiting to give you some nice food or a good pint of Guinneas to quench your thirst.

This run works out to be between 10.5 km and 11km.  It is quite a testing run but I would recommend to do this run at your leisure.  You will need time to take in the spectacular views around Loop Head.  I cannot recommend this Loop Head run highly enough as it has everything you want on a run.  I guarantee that you will feel amazing after it as you will be in awe of the beauty.  So get your running shoes and head for the Loop!!!!!