Cliffs of Moher

We happen to dislikes mobs of tourists, so we did it by boat from Doolin. If you go in the off-season, from above is probably okay (and the boats are probably not running). We drove up to the Moher car park in May a few years ago, and not finding a parking spot and seeing the gobs of buses turned us right around, retreating to a pub in Doolin.

I'm with jjgurley here. The top of the cliffs of Moher is a major tourist spot and is incredibly busy with all the world and their wife, kids and dog... It is a good few years since I visited and I hated it. You couldn't get away from the crowds. I doubt it will have got any less popular... The guide books then did say you could avoid the crowds by walking a shoirt distance. That wasn't true!

From the top you don't get the full impact of the size of the cliffs. You need to see them from below from the sea for that.

I have visited the top twice during the off season and there was no one else there. It was wonderful. The second time it was September, so that was a bit surprising.

Agreeing w/ the group about the crowds at CoM. I was there 3 years ago late April. It was comparable to being at the south rim of the Grand Canyon - lots of people. You travel on a narrow path with vertical chest high flagstone type rocks marking the seaside border. The narrow trail can become awkward when passing a stroller or small group. You would need to stand sideways to pass.

We are traveling to Ireland again this April. I recalled reading about guided hikes from Doolin so I looked in to that for this trip. There is a CoM trailhead outside of Doolin that goes towards the visitor center approx. 5 miles. Some of the guided trips will arrange for a shuttle back to Doolin. Also, I understand a section of that trial (the surfer’s trail?) is closed for maintenance. Our plan is to pack a lunch and do it as an out and back hike (weather permitting). Go in approx. 3 miles and turn back. We have also booked a CoM boat tour coming back from an Aran Island trip (Inis Mor). I’m hopeful for great views on this trip, hiking and by boat.

BTW, we visited with a friend of a friend this past week and he said “Skip the CoM, the best cliffs in Ireland are Slieve League Cliffs in the NW.” I looked them up and they do seem spectacular. They seem more difficult to get to, which explains the lack of people. You’d need a car to drive there.

I took this tour last May from Galway:

https://galwaytourcompany.com/tours/cliffs-of-moher-the-burren/

I found the experience at the top of the cliffs to be very enjoyable. It was not crowded at all when I was there.

Sean's friend is right, Sieve League cliffs are spectacular (although they don't drop straight down to the sea like Cliffs of Moher and you can't stand on their edge). At 2000ft above the sea, they are three times higher than Cliffs of Moher too.

The Kerry Cliffs are also better than Cliffs of Moher - they are taller and have fewer visitors .

Do you get seasick? I've never seen the Cliffs of Moher via the sea. However a friend has. It was very rough seas. A number of people got sick on the boat. He did not (he's a seasoned crab fisherman). It was not pleasant to be on a boat in rough seas with sick people.

I went there in August first thing in the morning before the visitor center opened. There were no people around. Try to visit it one or two hours before the visitor center opens.
The wind was brutal. I was able to go on a nice walk. When I got back the visitor center was just opening. I was able to get fresh coffee at the cafe and I went through and watched a movie that I would highly recommend watching if you can.

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful information. Much appreciated!

I also took a tour with Galway Tour company but the tour that we went on was called the Aran Islands and Cliff Cruise. We took the Doolin Ferry to Inisheer and on the way back the ferry took us close to the Cliffs. After we returned , we then spent time on the top of the Cliffs. Inisheer was an interesting island to visit . When you're there, you feel like you've traveled back in time. Having experienced both, it's definitely better to see the Cliffs from the sea.