A 5 km waymarked loop round Erris Head, the rugged northern tip of the Mullet Peninsula, where old earth-bank paths lead to unfenced Atlantic cliffs, sea arches and a wartime lookout.
A waymarked loop of about 5 km, graded easy with only 70 m of ascent and taking most people 1.5 to 2 hours. It follows an old earth bank around the headland, crossing a few stiles and a wooden footbridge; bring boots as it turns boggy after rain.
At the northernmost tip a railed viewing point looks over Illandavuck Island, the Pigeon Rock sea stack and a run of sea arches cut into the cliffs. If time is short, the first stretch to this point gives the best single view on the loop.
On the return leg you pass the remains of a Second World War coast-watch lookout post, with the large letters ÉIRE 62 cut into the ground beside it - one of more than 80 markers laid so wartime pilots would know they were over neutral Ireland.
Erris Head is a Special Area of Conservation. Look for fulmars, chough and peregrines on the cliffs, gannets and guillemots offshore, Irish hares on the heath and, on calm days, seals, dolphins and porpoises below the cliffs.
Erris Head is the northern tip of the Mullet. Combine it with Doonamo Point's blowhole and promontory fort, the beaches at Elly Bay or a trip to the Inishkea Islands; Belmullet, about 9.5 km south, has the nearest shops and food.
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