Coomkeen Loop Walk | Sheep’s Head Way
From the ridge of the Sheep’s Head peninsula, the Coomkeen Loop Walk offers wonderful views
Look out over Whiddy Island, Bantry Bay, and the Beara peninsula. And take in views along the peninsula before heading down to walk quiet country lanes in the fertile valley where Durrus Cheese is made.
Coomkeen Loop Walk Route
To begin the Coomkeen Loop Walk, drive from Durrus village taking the main road for Kilcrohane and after St. James’s Church of Ireland take the first right, continue on until you reach a crossroads and take the option for Coomkeen (straight on). This road will take you all the way to the car park at Boolteenagh.
From the car park at Boolteenagh, way marker no. 31 set out off road in a southwesterly direction along the ridge before you reach way marker no. 49 you will see “Lough Na Fuilla” (Lake of the Blood) straight ahead of you. Turn left here after crossing over a timber stile, way marker 20 CM.
Follow a track (The old lake road) in a southerly direction which will eventually lead onto a tarred road. Go straight on here at way marker no. 16 CM, past the junction for Fahane and Gerahies until you reach a finger post sign for “Coomkeen”. Take a left here and continue along the road again until you reach two more sets of finger post signs, take the “Coomkeen Loop option at each. Continue back to the car park at Boolteenagh along the road, passing the turn off for “Durrus Cheese” enroute.
Note : Be aware of weather conditions and cut away peat bogs along the loop walk. Please do not exit marked trails only on marked routes. No dogs are allowed on The Sheep’s Head Way.
The Coomkeen Loop Walk is one of 20 colour-coded Sheep’s Head Way loop walks.
| Download GPX File: | Coomkeen Loop GPX File |
| View the route in 3D on Google Earth: | Download Coomkeen Loop Walk KMZ file |
| Start/Finish: | Durrus Trailhead and drive to the Boolteenagh car park. |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Arrow Colour: | Follow the orange arrows & yellow 'walking man' markers |
| Distance: | 6.8 km (approx) |
| Estimated time: | 2 hours 30 mins (based on average walking speed of 3 km per hour) |
| Metres Climbed/ Ascent: | 433 metres |
| Maximum Height: | 222 metres |
| Dogs Allowed? | No |
| Minimum Gear: | Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone. |
Funeral Path Loop Walk
From the map board, walk in a southwesterly direction, passing the Bay View Bar on your left. You’ll find the Sheep’s Head Way ‘yellow man’ and funeral path finger post sign on the wall beyond O’Mahony’s shop which will point left (to the Paddock).
Continue on the roadway until you turn right up a stone step over and off the road passing way marker no. 402 along the way. Continue along through farm land until you will cross the public road and over a stone bridge at way marker no. 398 and on through farm land again.
At way marker 394, you will step over a stone stile and onto the road again. Continue along until way marker no. 392 and go off road. Follow the main Sheep’s Head Man West ‘yellow man’ poles passing by a stony strand known locally as “Trá Beag” (the small beach) until you reach a farm gate and cattle grid at way marker no. 382.
At this point you will see the main public road in front of you. Here, turn right and return to Kilcrohane village via the public roadway.
| Download GPX File: | Download Funeral Path Loop Walk GPX file |
| View the route in 3D on Google Earth: | Download Funeral Path Loop Walk KMZ file |
| Start/Finish: | Kilcrohane trailhead. |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Distance: | 6.1 km (approx) |
| Estimated time: | 1 hr 15 mins (based on average walking speed of 3 km per hour) |
| Metres Climbed/ Ascent: | 51 metres |
| Maximum Height: | 40 metres |
| Dogs Allowed? | No |
| Minimum Gear: | Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone. |
