After Downpatrick Head, our last stop of the day took us all the way out to Erris Head, in the far north-west of Co. Mayo. We came for the Erris Head Loop Walk, but it was already late afternoon, so we only walked part of it. In this post we cover the parking, what the walk involves, why dogs have to stay behind, and whether it is worth coming if you cannot do the full loop.
Erris Head Loop Walk at a glance
- LocationErris Head, north of Belmullet, Co. Mayo, on the Wild Atlantic Way
- ParkingAround 20 spaces, free, no height barrier
- Entry feeFree
- WalkingLoop of about 4 to 5 km; the trailhead sign says 1.5 to 2 hours
- DogsNot allowed on the walk
- FacilitiesTwo portable toilets when we visited
- SafetyCliffs are not fenced; path muddy and slippery in places
- Worth it?Yes, even just to the first viewpoint
Where Is Erris Head?
Erris Head is the headland at the northern end of the Erris region in Co. Mayo, north of the town of Belmullet. Its Irish name is Ceann Iorrais. It is about as far out as you can drive in this corner of Ireland: the road ends at the car park, and from there on it is grass, cliffs and the Atlantic.
Erris Head Parking and Van Access
Parking is easy here. The car park is free, has no height barrier, and offers room for around twenty vehicles. We had no trouble with the Ford Tourneo Custom.
There were two portable toilets when we visited. That is all there is in terms of facilities, so bring what you need. We did not stay overnight.
Leaving the Van While You Walk
The car park at Erris Head is quiet and remote, and on the full loop you will be away from your vehicle for up to two hours. When we leave the van for a longer walk like this, two things are part of our routine:
- Steering wheel lock: we fit this KRASER steering wheel lock before we set off. It is not a guarantee, but it is a clear, visible deterrent.
- Dashcam in parking mode: on remote car parks like this one, we switch our Wolfbox G900 Pro dashcam to parking mode with a switch we added ourselves, so it keeps recording around the van while we are away.
Take valuables with you or keep them out of sight, as you would at any trailhead.
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What Is the Erris Head Loop Walk Like?
The sign at the trailhead gives the Erris Head Loop Walk as 5 km and 1.5 to 2 hours. Sport Ireland lists it as an easy loop of 3.9 km with around 70 metres of ascent, on grassy paths, earth banks and open ground, waymarked with purple arrows on a yellow background. Either way, plan around two hours for the full round.
According to the same guide, the full loop leads to a railed viewing platform at the northern tip, with views of Illandavuck Island and sea arches, and passes a Second World War lookout post on the way back. We cannot tell you about those from our own experience, because we did not get that far.
We Only Walked to the First Viewpoint
We did not walk all of it. It was already late afternoon, so we only went as far as the first viewpoint. And even that was worth it. From the cliffs, the view over the Atlantic is beautiful.
So if you arrive late in the day, or do not have two hours to spare, do not skip Erris Head for that reason. The short version still gives you the cliffs and the ocean.
Are Dogs Allowed at Erris Head?
One thing to know before you come: dogs are not allowed on this walk. Sport Ireland’s trail page says the same. If you travel with a dog, plan this stop accordingly.
Muddy Paths and Unfenced Cliffs
The path itself was muddy and slippery in places, so wear proper shoes. The official trail description also warns of soft, wet ground and recommends waterproof boots with good grip.
And take care near the edge. As at Downpatrick Head, the cliffs are not secured by a fence or anything similar.
Is Erris Head Worth Visiting?
Yes. It is a lovely place, and definitely worth a visit. It is a long way out, and you should only come if you are happy to walk on wet grass, but the parking is easy and the view starts early on the path.
Best Time to Visit
We arrived in the late afternoon, which was too late for the whole loop. If you want to walk the full round, allow the two hours the official guide suggests and come earlier in the day than we did.
Our Honest Takeaway
It is a lovely place, and definitely worth a visit. We would have liked to walk the whole loop, and next time we would arrive earlier. Wear proper shoes, leave the dog out of this one, and keep back from the cliff edge: there is no fence.
Our Erris Head Loop Walk stop on video
Erris Head Loop Walk: 🎥 Walk out to the first viewpoint on the cliffs with us – watch from 08:54.
Or watch the full video of our fourth day in Ireland, from the Sligo coast to Erris Head.
Erris Head Loop Walk FAQ
How long is the Erris Head Loop Walk?
The sign at the trailhead says 5 km and 1.5 to 2 hours. Sport Ireland lists the loop as 3.9 km with around 70 metres of ascent. Plan around two hours for the full round.
Is there parking at Erris Head?
Yes. The car park at the start of the walk is free, has no height barrier and has room for around twenty vehicles.
Are dogs allowed on the Erris Head Loop Walk?
No. Dogs are not allowed on this walk.
Are there toilets at Erris Head?
There were two portable toilets at the car park when we visited. There are no other facilities.
Is the Erris Head Loop Walk difficult?
It is officially graded easy. In our experience the path was muddy and slippery in places, so proper shoes matter more than fitness.
Is Erris Head safe for children?
The cliffs are not secured by a fence or anything similar, and the path can be slippery. Keep children close and well back from the edge.
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← Previous stop: Downpatrick Head, cliffs and the Dún Briste sea stack
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⛴️ Planning your own trip over? Here’s how our 24-hour ferry from Dunkirk to Rosslare went.
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Planning your own Mayo road trip? Check our Downpatrick Head post, our Roslee Castle post, our Aasleagh Falls stop and our Ireland facts before you go.