Scenic walks on Inishbofin

Inishbofin has three official Looped Walks, all with stunning views of the Islands beautiful scenery

Each of the scenic walks on Inishbofin offer a very different kind of landscape and nature, and they are ideal for approximately 2 hour walking trips. If you like trekking, you can combine the trails and walk around the whole island. You can also just stay on the main roads, especially if you don’t have suitable footwear for the old bog roads.

Each of the walks offer something to see along the way, so if you’re not in a hurry you buy some snacks from our local shop or make a pit stop in the restaurants and spend half the day exploring the island. Each of the scenic walks pass by our Community Centre and Bofin Grocery where you can get a print map of the island. You can also find printed maps in the Inishbofin Ferry ticket office in Cleggan, and most of the establishments on the island.

You can find a map of the island and the Looped Walks also at the shelter on the New Pier. How to find the Trailhead for all of the walking trails: coming off the ferry at the New Pier, turn left towards West and you’ll find the trailhead at the next junction at the bottom of the steep hill going up towards the Community Centre.

Inishbofin Westquarter Looped Walk

The Westquarter loop takes in some of the most stunning Atlantic Coast scenery in Connemara offering views of the Island’s blow holes and sea arch, sea stags where the Island seal colony can be seen, the Dún More Cliffs and Iron Age promontory fort ruins, picturesque Trá Gheal beach and famine road. The track winds over grass paths, turf banks and shingle beach pebbles. This scenic walk also offers the best views of the nearby Inishark Island. Dogs are welcome on the looped walks but must be kept on a lead at all times.

Along this walking trail you’ll also pass by Inishbofin National School, the North Beach and Bay Cottage B&B in the North side of the island, and the Post Office, Inishwallah Restaurant and Doonmore Hotel & Restaurant on the South side of the island.

Ascent: 80m
Length: 8.1km
Estimated Time: 2hrs – 2.5hrs
Grade: Moderate
Minimum Gear: Trekking shoes, raingear and fluid
Waymarking: Purple arrow on white background
Dogs allowed: Under effective control
Trailhead: Coming off the ferry at the New Pier, turn left towards West and you’ll find the trailhead at the next junction at the bottom of the steep hill going up towards the Community Centre.
Start and Finish: The New Pier
View details on Sports Ireland website
View an article on this walk in The Irish Times

Inishbofin Cloonamore Looped Walk

The Cloonamore Loop which runs over green roads, bog roads and laneways runs along the beautiful East End Beach / Cloonamore Strand and St Colman’s 14th Century Chapel and Church Lough, a fertile valley which supports reed beds and other vegetation, which in turn provide cover, food and nest sites for a wide variety of birds. Dogs are welcome on the looped walks but must be kept on a lead at all times.

The South side of this looped walk takes you also past The Galley Restaurant, Inishbofin Hostel & Campsite, the Dolphin Hotel, Kings Bike Hire, The Beach Days Bar & B&B, the Modern Church, the Health Centre, and the Saltbox food truck by the pier.

Ascent: 80m
Length: 7.5km
Estimated time: 2hrs – 2.5hrs
Grade: Moderate
Minimum Gear: Hiking boots, raingear, snack and fluid
Waymarking: Red arrow on white background
Dogs allowed: Under effective control
Terrain: Minor roads, laneways, bog roads and green roads
Trailhead: Coming off the ferry at the New Pier, turn left towards West and you’ll find the trailhead at the next junction at the bottom of the steep hill going up towards the Community Centre.
Start and Finish: The New Pier
View details on Sports Ireland website
View an article of this walk in Connemara.ie

Inishbofin Middlequarter Looped Walk

This walk runs over Inishbofin’s second highest point, which on a clear day offers panoramic views of Achill Island’s mountains, Inishturk and Clare Island, the Twelve Bens, Maumturks and Croagh Patrick, the track takes in Inishbofin’s historic and varied Iron and Bronze Age landscapes with mill stones, partitions and evidence of round stone houses. Dogs are welcome on the looped walks but must be kept on a lead at all times.

The services along this route are focused in the harbour area: The Beach Days Bar & B&B, the Modern Church, the Health Centre, and the Saltbox food truck by the pier. As all of our walking trails, this one also passes by the Community Centre and Bofin Grocery just up the hill from the New Pier.

Ascent: 90m / 100m
Length: 4.9km
Estimated time: 1.5hrs – 2hrs
Grade: Moderate
Minimum Gear: Hiking boots, raingear, snack and fluid.
Waymarking: Blue arrow on white background
Dogs allowed: Under effective control
Terrain: Minor roads, laneways, bog roads and green roads.
Trailhead: Coming off the ferry at the New Pier, turn left towards West and you’ll find the trailhead at the next junction at the bottom of the steep hill going up towards the Community Centre.
Start and Finish: The New Pier
View details on Sports Ireland website
View an article on this walk in The Irish Times