The Peakeen Ridge Linear Walk on West Cork’s Sheep’s Head Way offers fantastic views over Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay from the ridge of the Sheep’s Head peninsula
As this is a linear walk, you can walk it in either direction!
Goat’s Path to Black Gate Route
From the car park and trailhead at The Goat’s Path, follow the red walk arrows (Way marker no. 60) in a southwesterly direction passing behind the Pietà statue as you set out.
You will ascend gradually along the ridge passing a megalithic tomb en route. Further on you will descend the hill and, almost straight away, you will ascend another hill. Continue straight on for Peakeen.
When you reach the top, take in the views and begin your descent. At way marker no. 17 marked Peakeen/Caher, continue straight on taking The Black Gate, Peakeen and Cahergal Loops and Peakeen Ridge linear walk option.
At way marker no. 15 take The Black Gate option again. Continue on along the track and you will go through 4 styles en route, the last style being way marker no. 5. Continue down the track and at way marker no. 3 (Peakeen, Cahergal and Caher) turn right onto the public road and back to the car park and Black Gate trailhead on the Sheep’s Head Way at the Alice West Centre.
Goat’s Path to Black Gate Route
From the car park and trailhead at the Black Gate / The Alice West Centre follow the cream walk arrows in a northeasterly direction along the public road for a short distance. At way marker no. 3 (Peakeen, Cahergal and Caher) turn left off the public road. Continue up the track and onto the hill going through 4 no. stiles en-route until you reach way marker no. 17 marked Peakeen/Caher.
Continue straight on uphill for Peakeen. Further on you will descend down the hill and almost straight away you will ascend up another hill. Continue on along the ridge passing a megalithic tomb enroute. You will descend gradually, eventually you will arrive at way marker no. 60 (Peakeen) and pass behind the Pieta statue near the car park and trailhead at the top of the Goat’s Path.
| Download GPX File for GPS | Download Peakeen Ridge Linear Walk GPX file |
| Download File for 3D View on Google Earth: | Download Peakeen Ridge Linear Walk KMZ file |
| Start: (Reversible Route) | Goat's Path Car Park |
| Finish: | Black Gate trailhead at the Alice West Centre, Kilcrohane. |
| Grade: | Hard |
| Distance: | 5.5 km (approx) |
| Estimated Time: | 2 hrs (based on average walking speed of 3 km per hour) |
| Arrows: | Cream and Red |
| Metres Climbed/ Ascent: | 188 metres |
| Maximum Height: | 338 metres |
| Dogs Allowed? | No |
| Minimum Gear: | Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone. |
