Sheeps Head 5 Day Self Guided Hike

Sheeps Head 5 Day Self Guided Hike

West Cork is truly a world apart, seemingly remote from the constant hub of modern life yet discreetly offering quiet time to breathe in the freshest sea- salt air. In a landscape festooned with little ports, bays, inlets and harbours, the ocean is never more than a thought away!

Bantry is a busy, bustling market town at the head of the famous and beautiful Bantry Bay is the heart of West Cork. It has a population of approximately 5,000. The main industries are tourism and mari-culture (Bantry Bay mussels are exported worldwide and the annual Mussel Festival held each May attracts thousands of visitors). Historic Bantry House and gardens are open to the public and the annual music festivals held in Bantry House bring thousands to the town each year.

Day 1: Arrival in Bantry - Arrive in Bantry, a beautiful town nestled at the head of the famous and beautiful Bantry Bay.  Your first night is spent 5km from Bantry at the start of the Sheep’s Head Way, where you will collect your “Information Pack”. Overnight near Bantry.

Day 2: Bantry to Glenlough - Walk from the start of the Sheep’s Head Way to Glanlough. Overnight in the village of Kilcrohane which lies under the shadow of ‘Seefin’, the Peninsula’s highest point. Kilcrohane has an all year round population of approximately 300 persons but this number more than doubles during the busy summer season. 

Walk Details: Distance: 16kms. Duration: 4.5 hours. Max. Height: 230m. Rocky and grass mountain tracks with some road walking Can be wet underfoot – boots essential.

Day 3: Cahergal to Kilcrohane - You will be transferred to Cahergal from where you walk out along to the Lighthouse (look out for the Dolphin and Whale viewpoint), continuing back the Sheep’s Head route to Kilcrohane, the last coastal village on the Peninsula. This location is renowned for its beautiful coastline, idyllic views and world-famous hill walking routes. Overnight in Kilcrohane.

Walk Details: Distance: 24kms. Duration: 6/7 hours. Max. Height: 240m. Rocky and grass mountain tracks with boggy sections. Some road walking – boots essential.

Day 4: Ahakista to Durrus - Walk from nearby Ahakista to Durrus along the Sheep’s Head route. Overnight at Durrus, a very pleasant village located at the head of Dunmanus Bay. Ahakista is the site for a Memorial to those who lost their lives off this coast in the Air India air crash of 1985. 

Walk Details: Distance: 14kms. Duration: 4 hours. Max. Height: 120m. Rocky and grass mountain tracks with boggy sections. Some road walking – boots essential.

Day 5: Departure Day - After breakfast your host will arrange a taxi transfer back to Bantry, we also understand that there is a “local” bus service … details of which are available from your host.