Enjoy fabulous views as you walk the Sheep’s Head Way from Durrus village at the head of Dunmanus Bay to Barnageehy via Glan Lough
Distance: 3hrs, 10km
From Durrus village the Sheep’s Head Way Section 10 route heads along a lane and then turns uphill across rough ground before descending a valley. After a short road section, you will ascend to a ridge above Glan Lough.Note that the ‘Glan Lough’ in this section is not the same as the ‘Glanlough’ on the Sheep’s Head Way North route!
The Glan Lough section of the route takes you up to a ridge with stunning views. The route uses small farm tracks and boreens and passes through lush sheep pastures before ascending to the ridge, with views in all directions, and then back down past Glan Lough before rejoining the public road to the Barnageehy parking area.
Durrus village
From Durrus village take the smaller road (right fork) by Wisemans’ hardware store, pass the village pump and cross the bridge over ‘Four Mile Water’ as it tumbles down towards the head of Dunmanus Bay. From the bridge, the old mill race can be seen. The river will be heard babbling along beside you as you follow the road and there are many wild flowers in the hedgerows here.
To the left, on top of the hill, is a ring fort.
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Turn right, uphill at the road junction.
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At the top of the hill, turn to the left and over a ladder stile into a field – the next post is diagonally across it. From there the Sheep’s Head Way Section 10 path soon joins a small track. Below post 579 (IV 97329 42650) is a ring fort. The path crosses rough and boggy ground as it climbs steeply uphill – take care! Soon the forestry plantation appears on your left. As the path descends from the ridge there is a steep, wet area where more care must be taken!
Follow the posts down the valley to a bridge, cross it and follow the path up to the road.
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Turn right onto the road and follow it for 600m (656 yards)
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Turn left off the road over a ladder stile. Follow the track uphill, then down into a valley.
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After crossing some fields, join a track, keeping the forestry land on your right.
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The route turns to the left, uphill towards the ridge. Don’t be confused by the ladder stile at the end of the track, leading into the forestry – this is the start of the route to Mount Corrin.
At the top of the ridge, there are stunning views over three bays – Bantry, Dunmanus and Roaringwater – with Mount Gabriel briefly visible at the top.
Follow the track along the side of the forest and then downhill as it winds its way towards the road.
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Turn right onto the road and follow it to the Barnageehy (‘Windy Gap’) parking area, off the N71.
Barnageehy
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Off the Main N71, Bantry to Ballydehob road.
To start the next section of the route, cross the road and take the small lane signed ‘Ballybane East’.
