Flaggy Shore Walk
This circular loop walk visits the stunning Flaggy Shore in County Clare. The geologically fascinating area is well known for its stunning coastal views, fossils and limestone pavements.
You can start the walk at the car park at New Quay Beach and then follow the country lanes west towards Lough Murree. The coastal path provides some wonderful views of Aughinish Island, Galway Bay, the surrounding mountains and the wider Atlantic Ocean.
The trail continues west to Finvarra Point where there is a Martello Tower and more excellent views to enjoy.
The walk then loops round on alternative country lanes to return to the car park.
You can continue your walking in the area by heading south west to try the Ballyvaughan Wood Loop Walk. On the circular walk you can visit the wonderful Aillwee Cave system with its underground river and waterfall.
Flaggy Shore Open Street Map 
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Flaggy Shore Open Street Map 
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Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head south west along the coast and you can pick up the popular Doolin to Cliffs of Moher Walk. The wonderful cliff top hike runs from the little village of Doolin to the Moher Tower at the southern end. There's fabulous sea views and lots of seabirds to look out for on this major local walking highlight.
To the south east is the picturesque Lough Bunny, a Special Area of Conservation with stunning views of Mullaghmore Mountain. Near here you can enjoy more waterside walking on the Gort River Walk. The pleasant circular loop walk runs for about 3km along easy footpaths and country lanes around the historic town.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
New Quay. The Flaggy Shore is one of the northernmost areas in County Clare, with only Aughinish Island, across the narrow inlet, lying further north. The low sea cliffs on Aughinish Island have developed over thousands of years due to coastal erosion. They consis of thick sediment layers deposited during the last ice age, over 12,000 years ago.
Along the Flaggy Shore. The area is a fine location to uncover clues about the origins of ancient ice sheets and the direction in which glaciers travelled. These clues can be discovered by examining the rocks along the shore and identifying those that stand out. Most of the cobbles and boulders along the shore are grey limestone rocks, but some are glacial erratics made of other rock types, such as granite or sandstone.
Mount Vernon, on the 'Flaggy Shore', Burren. A fine Georgian villa with significant historical and literary associations. Now a 'Hidden Ireland' property.
Knockvorneen from the Flaggy Shore
During the last ice age, over 12,000 years ago, immense ice sheets advanced over the Burren and much of Ireland. These ice sheets functioned like colossal bulldozers, eroding the land's surface and transporting vast quantities of sand, gravel, and boulders over extensive distances. As the ice sheets melted, they deposited all the sediments and rocks they carried onto the land surface. These deposited rocks are known as glacial erratics. Large limestone erratic boulders are visible throughout the Burren. Additionally, we can find various rocks in the Burren that do not originate from this limestone landscape.
Finavarra Martello Tower
Lough Murree
Shore side track