Living the Sheep's Head Way

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Barnageehy Loop Walk | Sheep’s Head Way

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Barnageehy Loop Walk on the Sheep’s Head Way is a peaceful walk through gorgeous Irish countryside

You’ll enjoy the wonderful views over patchwork fields and moorlands as you walk you walk the quiet roads around Durrus and explore country tracks with views over Bantry and the West Cork hills.

Barnageehy Loop Walk Details

To begin the Barnageehy Loop Walk, drive from Durrus village to the Car Park at Barnageehy.

Take the old creamery road from Durrus, passing Wiseman’s Hardware Store, and continue on along this road until you reach the N71 and take a right here.

The N71 will take you all the way uphill until you reach the car park at Barnageehy. At the Sheep’s Head Way finger post sign, turn right into the car park. There is a sign for Glanlough there also.

To reach Barnageehy from Bantry, drive from Bantry taking the N71 passing The Westlodge Hotel and the turn off for The Sheep’s Head peninsula en route. Turn right at the junction for Skibbereen and Ballydehob and the N71 will take you all the way uphill until you reach the car park at Barnageehy. At the Sheep’s Head Way finger post sign turn in to your right to the car park, there is a sign for Glanlough there also.

From the car park at Barnageehy set out along the road in a westerly direction following the yellow walking man way markers. At way marker no. 634 turn left off road and continue on up a track in a southerly direction at first before heading in a southwesterly direction with forestry on your left as you ascend. When you reach way marker no. 619, turn right here to descend down to the public road going over a timber stile, way marker no. 603. Turn right here and follow the road back to the car park at Barnageehy passing by a timber stile, way marker no. 600 and a gate with an information sign on it enroute.

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 only on marked routes. No dogs are allowed on the Sheep’s Head Way.

The Barnageehy Loop Walk is one of 20 colour-coded Sheep’s Head Way loop walks.

Download GPX File for GPS:Barnageehy Loop Walk file
View in 3D on Google Earth:Download Barnageehy Loop Walk file
Start/Finish:Durrus Trailhead and drive to the Barnageehy car park.
Grade:Moderate
Arrow Colour:Follow the green arrows & yellow 'walking man' markers
Distance:7.7 km (approx)
Estimated time:2 hours 45 mins (based on average walking speed of 3 km per hour)
Metres Climbed/ Ascent:546 metres
Maximum Height:301 metres
Dogs Allowed?No
Minimum Gear:Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone.

Rooska Loop Walk | Sheep’s Head Way

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Starting in the heart of Bantry town, the Rooska Loop Walk takes you out into the West Cork countryside where spectacular views await

The route passes Bantry House, ringforts, ruined farms, and a holy well. The views out over Bantry Bay and Whiddy Island are lovely to behold. From the bustle of Bantry square to the green trails of the Sheep’s Head peninsula, this is an absorbing and satisfying West Cork walk.

Boolteenagh Sheeps Head - Rooska Loop Walk Bantry

Rooska Loop Walk Details

To complete the Rooska Loop Walk, set out from the Bantry West trailhead, set out along the N71 and, at way marker no. 1, turn left and continue along until stone way marker no. 678 (on back of stone) and turn right taking the north option.

When you reach the N71 again keep left and continue on again for a short distance until you go off road at way marker no. 4. When you arrive again onto the N71, take the option for ‘Dromclogh’ at the finger post sign (way marker no. 5) after crossing the road.

Continue on along the road again until way marker no. 6 and turn left off the road. You will stay off road until way marker no. 22. Follow the road along until way marker no. 25 and turn left. Continue on up the road, and at the T-junction, take a right as per the finger post sign for Boolteenagh, way marker no. 26.

Continue along until you reach the car park at Boolteenagh. At way marker no. 31 set out off road in a southwesterly direction along the ridge passing Lough Na Fuilla (Lake of the Blood) on your left before you reach way marker no. 49. Turn right here and follow a track (the old lake road) in a northwesterly direction which will eventually lead onto a tarred road at way marker no. 2.

Continue down along the road until it meets the main public road at way marker no. 1 (the finger post sign for Lough na Fuilla and Rooska West) and turn right. Keep along the main road until you reach way marker no. 25 to complete the loop.

From here on follow the way markers back to where you came from and you will eventually arrive at the Bantry West trailhead.
 
The Rooska Loop Walk is one of 20 colour-coded Sheep’s Head Way loop walks.

GPX File for GPS:Download GPX file for Rooska Loop Walk
View 3D in Google Earth:Download KMZ file for Rooska Loop Walk
Start/Finish:Bantry West Trailhead
Grade:Moderate
Distance:13.9 km (approx)
Estimated time:4 hours 45 mins (based on average walking speed of 3 km per hour)
Arrows:Purple
Metres Climbed/ Ascent:433 metres
Maximum Height:222 metres
Dogs Allowed?No
Minimum Gear:Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone.

Farranamanagh Loop Walk | Sheep’s Head Way

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The Farranamanagh loop walk is a coastal trail that leads you from Kilcrohane village out along the edge of the Sheep’s Head peninsula

From The Old Creamery in Kilcrohane, walk in a northeasterly direction back up the peninsula following the red arrows and main Sheep’s Head Way ‘yellow man’ markers.

At marker no. 404, turn right off the main public road entering farmland. Continue on downhill to Farranamanagh strand and lake, walking beyond these and on uphill on rough ground beyond the Bardic School.

Farranamanagh loop walkThe school was home to O Dalys – chief poets to the O Mahony clan – and it was here on the coast of the Sheep’s Head peninsula that they passed the Irish poetic tradition from generation to generation.

Continue on to meet the main public road, turn left and you will arrive at Dromnea car park, way marker no. 425.

Here you can return directly to Kilcrohane village via the public road or continue on the loop by climbing the old stone stile to the left of the gate across the road.

Continue on uphill until you reach way marker no. 92 on the old Kilcrohane/Ahakista road. Continue straight on again until you reach way marker no. 01, veer left here for Kilcrohane, and continue on again in a southwesterly direction.

At way marker no. 10 follow the road down until you meet the main road. Take a right turn here and the main road will lead you back to Kilcrohane village, where a bite to eat at The Old Creamery will be a welcome reward for your walk!

The Farranamanagh Loop Walk is one of 20 loop walks along the Sheep’s Head Way Walking route on Ireland’s southwest coastline.

 

Download GPX file for GPSGPX file for Farranamanagh loop walk
Download to View in 3D on Google Maps:KMZ file for Farranamanagh loop walk
Start/Finish:Kilcrohane trailhead.
Grade:Moderate
Distance:6.1 km (approx)
Estimated time:2 hrs 15 mins (based on average walking speed of 3 km per hour)
Arrows:Red
Metres Climbed/ Ascent:236 metres
Maximum Height:110 metres
Dogs Allowed?No
Minimum Gear:Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone.

Lighthouse Loop Walk | Sheep’s Head Way

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If you only take one loop walk along the Sheep’s Head Way, then take the lighthouse loop walk

It’s an exhilarating walk out to the very tip of the Sheep’s Head peninsula where you’ll get to take in stunning views over West Cork’s bays and peninsulas.

The Sheep’s Head Way is an 88km walking trail along the coastline of Ireland’s Sheep’s Head peninsula – a European Destination of Excellence – and the lighthouse loop walk is one of the best ways to experience the trail for experienced hikers and day trippers alike.

Sheep's Head lighthouse

Lighthouse Loop Walk Details

To begin your walk, drive down the Sheep’s Head peninsula until you reach the Cupán Tae tea shop. The road on the peninsula ends here at the Tooreen trailhead where your West Cork walk begins.

From the car park at Tooreen follow the blue loop walk arrows. Set out in a southwesterly direction on the Dunmanus Bay side of the peninsula. Your route leads you past rocky outcrops and Lough Akeen and brings to the lighthouse at the tip of the headland.

After the helicopter pad, the Sheep’s Head lighthouse comes into view and if you wish you can climb the concrete steps that lead up to it!

If you carry on around the peninsula’s north side, views open out over Bantry Bay and there are some spectacular sea cliffs alongside the trail.

The loop – one of 20 loop walks on the Sheep’s Head Way – returns on the Bantry Bay side and at the Daingean (fort) sign near waymarker no. 272, veer right here off the main route which leads you back to the Bernie’s Sheep’s Head café and the car park at Tooreen.

Note: Be aware of weather conditions, unprotected dangerous cliffs 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.
 

No trip to this walk is complete without a pause at Bernie’s Cupán Tae!

Download GPX File for GPS:Lighthouse Loop Walk file for GPS
Download file for 3D view in Google Earth:KMZ file for Lighthouse Loop Walk
Start/End Point;Car park at the end of the road on the Sheep's Head peninsula.
Difficulty:Moderate
Length:4.2 kilometres
Time:1.5 hours (approx)
Arrows:Blue
Metres Climbed:304 max.
Height:185m
Terrain:Footpaths, tracks and paved lanes. Steps down to the lighthouse, and close to cliffs.
Facilities:The walk begins and ends at the Cupán Tae tea shop.
Car park and toilet facilities are available here.

Whiddy Island Loop Walk

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Whiddy Island Loop Walk
Whiddy Island Treasure Hunt

Take a walk on Whiddy Island – one of West Cork’s seven inhabited islands!

Whiddy Island is situated in Bantry Bay between the Beara and Sheep’s Head peninsulas, and it’s home to a walk that offers spectacular views across Bantry Bay and the neighbouring landscapes.

Whiddy Island Ferry

Whiddy Island Walk Details

From the Bantry West trailhead, set out along the N71 to the pier and take the Whiddy Island Ferry. The trip over Bantry Bay gives you a stunning view of Bantry House, and takes approximately 20 minutes, depending on weather conditions.

From the Whiddy Island Trailhead set out along the road. At the T-junction take a left at the finger post sign taking the Tranaha option. At the next way marker take a right over a timber stile and continue off-road uphill along a path. At the second timber stile, you will begin to descend the hill. You will encounter two more timber stiles before re-joining the road again at the fourth timber stile and continue on to your right.

From here on follow the road and way markers back to the trailhead, and maybe take a moment to stop at the Bank House pub before you make your way back to Bantry.
 

Please note the seasonal ferry times to Whiddy Island before setting out from the pier at Bantry.

Start/Finish:Whiddy Island Trailhead
Grade:Moderate
Distance:1.6 km (approx)
Estimated time:1 hour (based on average walking speed of 3 km per hour)
Metres Climbed/ Ascent:75 metres
Maximum Height:40 metres
Dogs Allowed?No
Minimum Gear:Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone.

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This project has been supported by Cork County Council & the LEADER programme under the Rural Development Programmes 2007-13 and 2017-2021.