Walking - Page 3 of 8 - Living the Sheep's Head Way

Glanlough Loop Walk | Sheep’s Head Way

February 3, 2014 by Dunmanus

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.

Sheep’s Head Way Section 2: Boolteenagh to Glanlough

January 18, 2014 by Dunmanus

Sheep’s Head Way section 2 offers you a beautiful ridge walk with views to both sides over Bantry Bay and the lush valley of Coomkeen.

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At the top of the ridge, a track turns off from the road. Along this section are several cairns constructed when the first Ordnance Survey maps were being drawn in the early nineteenth century.

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If you want to visit the prehistoric hut site, follow the fence to the right before crossing the stile. The site can also be seen below markers 40-41 as you walk.

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At marker 48, the path crosses a track that connects Clashadoo and Rooska. It then skirts around a sea of rushes before climbing again.

Between markers 60 and 61, you’ll pass an Ordnance Survey ‘trig point’ or ‘triangulation point’. This concrete pillar marks the hill’s high point at 224 metres.

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The path crosses road at marker 66.

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Sheep’s Head Way section 2 of the walk ends at the parking area in Glanlough. To start the next section, turn right, down the road, and take the next left.

Sheep’s Head Way Section 3: Glanlough to Seefin

January 18, 2014 by Dunmanus

The third stretch of the Sheep’s Head Way walk on the spectacular Sheep’s Head peninsula leads you from Glanlough to Seefin via Gortnakilly, or by the Seefin ridge route

Distance: 11km / 4hrs

Sheep’s Head Way section 3 is also part of the Glanlough Loop. It climbs slowly up to the ridge that runs down the length of the Sheep’s Head peninsula. It follows that ridge, with fine views over Dunmanus and Bantry bays, before descending to the low saddle where it crosses the Mass Path at Maulnaskehy.

Section 3 then climbs again, going slightly to the north to the aptly named ‘Windy Gap’. The ‘official’ Sheep’s Head Way main route descends by a track, extended and improved in 2011, to Gortnakilly. A road section leads west from there via the ‘Goat’s Path’ to the ridge below Seefin and Finn McCool’s Seat.

An alternative route is signposted at Windy Gap, following the main ridge to the summit of Seefin.

Windy Gap is a crossroads on the Sheep’s Head Way with several of the loop routes crossing near here.

The Sheep’s Head Way section 3 route is characterised by several ‘kinks’ where geological faults have shifted the peninsula south. At these points, it is important to follow the posts to avoid small cliffs.

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From the parking area turn right, downhill and then left at the first junction. Follow the road, taking the right fork.

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The path leaves the road up a track which soon becomes less distinct. At some places, the next post is difficult to spot so keep an eye on the path. After a short climb, look back to see Glanlough.

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Here, Dunmanus Bay comes into view, and you are on top of the world!
In clear weather, the Fastnet rock can be seen across the Mizen. Keep to the path and stay on rocky ground, as there are bog holes between posts 111 and 112.

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At marker 117, the path kinks to the left to avoid a cliff. There are several similar places on this route. Don’t be tempted to head straight for the post across the valley, unless you have wings!

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The Mass Path crosses this route at marker 151: it was traditionally used by people on the north side on their way to mass. Down to the left is Ahakista, and to the North Doonour. This path gives access to both sides of the peninsula if you decide to shorten your walk here.

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The route joins the ‘Goat’s Path’ road (marker 190). Turn left (west) and follow the road for 2.6km to the top. A detour is possible down to Gortnakilly pier (signposted) which is very beautiful.

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The route leads off down the ‘Horseshoe Road’ at marker 195, but do continue a short distance to the top of the Goat’s Path where there are good views and picnic tables if you need a rest. Kilcrohane is down the road to the south and the Peakeen Ridge walk leads off from behind the Marian statue.

Alternative routes
At 151 this route crosses the Mass Path giving access to both sides of the peninsula.

At 169, there is the option to walk to the end of this section along the ridge via Seefin (arguably the best option). There is a short link taking you to the Seefin Loop and after the summit of Seefin, there is a descent to Finn McCool’s Seat, or down the south side of Seefin, taking you to the Sheep’s HEad Way South, and a possible long loop back to Glanlough.

Sheep’s Head Way Section 4: Seefin to Cahergal

January 18, 2014 by Dunmanus

Sheep’s Head Way section 4 is a short walking route which brings you down ‘The Horseshoe Road’ from Seefin to the start of the lighthouse walk near the end of the Sheep’s Head peninsula

The Horseshoe Road leads you along a green track and a small road to the parking area at Cahergal. An alternative route, staying on the ridge, is also available.

Distance: 4.8km

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The track that forms Sheep’s Head Way section 4 leads off from the ‘Goat’s Path’ road on the peninsula’s northern flank. It’s easy to follow as it winds its way below the ridge, finally descending to the public road.

At marker 200 (IV 78928 38693), turn left onto the road and continue to the parking area at Cahergal.

The Cahergal Loop joins the route here.

To stay on the ridge from Seefin, (longer – but well worth it!), take the Peakeen Ridge route and then turn onto the Cahergal route to reach the parking area by another path.

Sheep’s Head Way Section 5: Cahergal to the Lighthouse

January 18, 2014 by Dunmanus

The stunning walk that forms Sheep’s Head Way section 5 leads from Cahergal via The Crimea and Copper Mines to The Cove and then to the Lighthouse at the end of the Sheep’s Head peninsula.

Distance: 8km

The Sheep’s Head Way section 5 route passes through interesting historical areas and beautiful coastal scenery with high cliffs.

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The area you pass through is known as ‘The Crimea’ (pronounced ‘cra-may’) for reasons explained here. There are several ruined dwellings and the old field enclosures can be seen below. The path winds around the buildings.

At Post 220 (IV 76405 37420) the path descends towards a pond which was part of the local copper mine workings. There are several open (fenced) shafts here. The path then crosses a narrow rock ledge – it looks worse than it is at first and there is a helpful hand rail – but don’t look down if you suffer from vertigo! Looking back, you can see some of the mine adits in the cliff face.

Just before Post 222 (IV 76207 37298) you’ll find a terrace of cottages that were occupied by the miners. The mine was worked between 1840-90. An image of the mine workings at Gortnavallig can be seen here.

The path climbs to the crest of the low ridge from where you look down to The Cove. The Cove is a small slip surrounded by low rocky cliffs. At the top if the slip is a memorial to the author JG Farrell who tragically drowned here in 1979.

From here, follow the track uphill.

At marker 235 (IV 76372 36557), turn right off the road. The path goes up between two field walls.

Turn right to follow the road at 238, and then fork right onto a farm track below the house.

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A beautiful cove with a waterfall can be seen at marker 258.

At 278m, ‘Daingean’, the Lighthouse loop joins from the south. Continue straight ahead.

The route heads uphill. To go to the lighthouse, continue to the right, past the storage container and go down the steps.

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The small lighthouse at the end of the peninsula was built in 1968 to help guide in the oil tankers that were to use the new oil terminal on Whiddy Island. It marks the southern tip of Bantry Bay.

Because of the remoteness of the peninsula, and the lack of a road to its tip, the building materials and equipment for the lighthouse were lifted from Kilcrohane, 9km away, by helicopter and about 250 lifts were needed.

When the construction of the lighthouse and the long flight of steps leading up to it was completed, the helicopter was again used to lift the lantern, optic, standby engine and control gear to the lighthouse which was put into operation for the first time on 14th October 1968.

From the end of the peninsula, you are afforded spectacular views across the Bay and the two neighbouring peninsulas: the Mizen and the Beara.

Sheep’s Head Way Section 6: Lighthouse to Letter West

January 18, 2014 by Dunmanus

The eastwards section of the Sheep’s Head Way walking route starts above the lighthouse near the little landing circle

The Sheep’s Head Way Section 6broute follows the well-worn path up to the Sheep’s Head Café (Bernie’s Cupán Tae) and Tooreen parking area.

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Far below the landing circle is the ‘ÉIRE’ sign placed here to remind pilots of Ireland’s neutrality in the second world war war. It’s difficult to see on the ground but can be made out on the Google satellite map by zooming in. Shortly after you have started the walk, it’s worth pausing to take a (careful!) look at the cliffs after the path crosses a bridge and some boggy ground.

After the Sheep’s Head Café, the path can be found just behind the toilet building. It climbs quickly and there are good views westwards over the field systems below the houses half way down the cliff. You pass a small lookout post called ‘The Camp’, another relic from the second world war, known as The Emergency’in Ireland.

Soon after is an Ordnance Survey trig point – a concrete triangulation point marking a hill’s highest spot – and you’ll be able to take in views over small loughs and, to the north side of the peninsula, Bantry Bay and the Beara peninsula.

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The 17th Century Signal Tower finally blew down in 1990. From there the old road, built to service the tower begins and descends to Fail Bheag where you cross the road by turning left and then right shortly after. You pass two more loughs before the path passes a house.

At marker 353 (IV 77597 35929), the path turns right and over a stone stile into a field. You then descend to the road and turn left towards Letter West near the village of Kilcrohane or continue on to the next section of the walking route.

Glanlough Loop Walk | Sheep’s Head Way

The Glanlough Loop Walk

Sheep’s Head Way Section 2: Boolteenagh to Glanlough

Sheep’s Head Way section 2 offers you a beautiful ridge walk with views to both sides over Bantry Bay and the lush valley of Coomkeen.

Sheep’s Head Way Section 3: Glanlough to Seefin

The third stretch of the Sheep’s Head Way walk on the spectacular Sheep’s Head peninsula leads you from Glanlough to Seefin via Gortnakilly, or by the Seefin ridge route

Sheep’s Head Way Section 4: Seefin to Cahergal

Sheep’s Head Way section 4 is a short walking route which brings you down ‘The Horseshoe Road’ from Seefin to the start of the lighthouse walk near the end of the Sheep’s Head peninsula

Sheep’s Head Way Section 5: Cahergal to the Lighthouse

The stunning walk that forms Sheep’s Head Way section 5 leads from Cahergal via The Crimea and Copper Mines to The Cove and then to the Lighthouse at the end of the Sheep’s Head peninsula.

Sheep’s Head Way Section 6: Lighthouse to Letter West

The eastwards section of the Sheep’s Head Way walking route starts above the lighthouse near the little landing circle

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