The 16-kilometre Sky Road follows a coastal circular route through Connemara, offering panoramic views of Clifden Bay and its islands. This gives Clifden a distinctive landscape highlight. At the same time, there is more to explore than the coastal route: town history, an annual cultural festival held in September and the Connemara Seaweed Baths each offer a focus of their own. When choosing a stay, consider whether you are most drawn to the views along the circular route, cultural experiences or a hot bath in Atlantic seawater.
Culture between the festival and town history
The Clifden Arts Festival is an 11-day celebration of creativity that brings the town to life each September, with the people of Clifden actively taking part. Its regular timing provides a seasonal reference point for planning a trip. The Clifden Historical Walking Tours offer a different cultural experience, exploring the history of the 200-year-old town. They are led by local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill, who is also the author of several books on the history of western County Galway. The festival and tours have different emphases: creativity and active participation by the local community in one, and Clifden’s past in the other.
A bathing experience with its own character
The Connemara Seaweed Baths in Clifden offer a hot bath in Atlantic seawater infused with hand-harvested seaweed. The baths offer one of Ireland’s oldest spa treatments and overlook Clifden Bay. The thermal area includes a sauna, a steam room and an outdoor hot tub overlooking Clifden Harbour. After bathing, visitors can also use an outdoor saltwater plunge pool; its availability may vary. Check before visiting. Towels and drinking water are provided.
Finding your way around Clifden
The Clifden Tourist Information Centre offers free, personal and independent advice, as well as information, maps and literature. The staff can help plan trips by car, bicycle or public transport. They also offer local tips and recommendations for places to eat, listen to music and buy special gifts.
More hiking options in the wider Galway destination
The wider Galway destination has more walking trails, with a range of distances and landscape features. At Coole Park, the Family Trail is an easy 1.75-kilometre walk. It passes the site of the former house and goes through the walled garden to the Autograph Tree. Also at Coole Park, the 4.5-kilometre Seven Woods Trail passes a viewpoint over Coole Lake and extensive wetlands. The trails therefore differ both in length and in their listed stops and landscape views. Another option in the wider Galway area is the 6.5-kilometre Diamond Hill Walk in Connemara National Park, which leads to the 445-metre summit of Diamond Hill.
Discover more destinations: Inisheer, Dunmore, Lettermore, Furbo, Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Carraroe, Roundstone
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