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Sheep’s Head Way

January 2, 2014 by Dunmanus

The Sheep’s Head Way walking route has a worldwide reputation as Ireland’s best-loved coastal walking trail

The West Cork walking trail traces the coastline of the Sheep’s Head peninsula – its beauty enhanced by the magnificent views it offers across Bantry and Dunmanus bays.

Whether you walk the whole 88km hiking route along the West Cork stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way, or choose one of the 20 loop walks on offer, you’ll be captivated by the unspoilt beauty of the Sheep’s Head Way.

The walking trails begin in the historic West Cork market town of Bantry. The main route passes through breathtaking, unspoilt scenery including high ridges up to 365 metres, coastal paths, small roads and boreens. It also takes in the lovely coastal villages of Durrus, Ahakista, and Kilcrohane.

As you walk the route, enjoy views across the West Cork islands, and our neighbouring Mizen and Beara peninsulas.

These fabulous West Cork walking routes are clearly marked and are accessible to anyone with basic levels of experience and fitness.

Way-marked loop walks along the Sheep’s Head Way provide shorter walking trails suitable for easier one-day excursions. Additional routes extend the Sheep’s Head Way eastwards to Drimoleague and Kealkill and onto the Mizen at Mount Corrin, south-west of Durrus.

Filed Under: Activities, Sheep's Head Way, Walking

Wild Atlantic Way

What’s On

August 2025
Masters of Tradition 2024
Aug 20 - 24 2025

Masters of Tradition: A Traditional Music Festival

Bantry
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Visit Historic Places

Bantry House B&B

The Sheep’s Head is a peninsula rich in history and you’ll find traces of its past all along the Sheep’s Head Way walking route.

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Pure cork

Featured Activity

Durrus Cheese

Durrus Cheese

Durrus Cheese has been made in the upland valley of Coomkeen since the late seventies. It all started as an experiment in cheese-making for the family in the farmhouse kitchen. This proved to be a lifestyle choice and soon Jeffa Gill was producing the now well-known cheese which is sold all across Ireland and into […]

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Featured Accommodation

Sheep's Head Holiday Homes

Sheep’s Head Holiday Homes

The Sheep’s Head Holiday Homes are set in Durrus, at the junction of the Sheep’s Head peninsula and the Mizen peninsula: ideally situated for a family holiday in West Cork The charming development has a pleasant little stream running at its edge and is less than 100m from the village’s shops, pubs and cafés. You’re […]

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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.
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