The Glanlough Loop Walk
The Glanlough Loop walk on the Sheep’s Head Way follows minor roadways, lanes and mountain paths as it leads you up along the ridge that forms the spine of the Sheep’s Head peninsula. It then moves down, past the lovely Glanlough Lake on a route that showcases stunning mountain, coastal and sea views across Bantry Bay, Dunmanus Bay, and the neighbouring Mizen and Beara peninsulas.
From the car park at Ahakista take a right onto the public road and continue on until you arrive at a T-junction (Ahakista Bridge). Take a right here and then the first left as per the finger post sign for Glanlough. At the next finger post sign keep right for Glanlough and the Mass Path.
Follow the purple arrows along the road for a while until you go off-road and over a stile. At The Mass Path Junction sign/way marker no. 151, take the Sheep’s Head Way East Glanlough/Bantry option and continue along the ridge.
At way marker 111 you will begin to descend in a north-easterly direction until you reach way marker no. 91 at the road.
Keep right and continue along the road. At way marker no. 90 keep left, and at way marker no. 89 turn right, continue on up the road following the purple arrows passing the car park at Glanlough. At the finger post sign for “Durrus” turn left and stay along the road until you reach way marker no. 512.
At this point you turn right off road and onto a track and continue along in a southwesterly direction. At way marker no. 498, you will veer right and continue on until you join the road again at way marker no. 490. Follow the purple arrows again along the road and at way marker no. 487 turn right up another road. Continue along the road and at way marker no. 483 turn left off the road in a westerly direction.
When you reach way marker no. 462, turn left onto the road which leads you back to the T-junction, take a right here and this will lead you back to Ahakista bridge, and at the bridge take a left for the car park at Arundels by the Pier.
Note: Be aware of weather conditions and cut away peat bogs along the loop walk. Be aware of any livestock on the land, especially any bulls. Please do not exit marked trails. Walk only on marked routes. No dogs are allowed on The Sheep’s Head Way.
| Download GPX File for GPS: | Download Glanlough Loop Walk GPX file |
| Download 3D Route Map for Google Earth: | Download Glanlough Loop Walk KMZ file |
| Start/Finish: | Ahakista Trailhead: Arundels by the Pier car park. |
| Grade: | Hard |
| Distance: | 14.9 km (approx) |
| Estimated time: | 5 hours (based on speed of 3km per hour) |
| Metres Climbed/ Ascent: | 510 metres |
| Maximum Height: | 270 metres |
| Dogs Allowed? | No |
| Minimum Gear: | Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone. |
