Loop Walks on the Sheeps Head Peninsula
The Glenlough Loop
Start at Seamount bed and breakfast, walk 0.5km along a quiet road to the start of the hill walk. There is a gradual ascent over Glenlough Lake to the ridge, 250 metres above sea level.There are lots of wild flowers along the way, the views from here are breath-taking - to the North Bantry Bay and the Caha Mountains, to the South, Dunmanus Bay, the islands and Mizen Peninsula. on a clear day you can see the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse.
Continue along the ridge untill you come to the marker for the decent views. After a while you will come to an old disused track walk down here and on to the road and back to Seamount.
3 hours approx .
This trail is very well marked.
We will give you a map, treking poles and advice on the walk.
Walking Boots or Strong Shoes required.
There are other good walks on the peninsula - low land and ridge walks.
It is best to avoid the ridge walks during fog or very bad weather
Sheep’s Head Loops
At a Glance
Sheep’s Head Loops Courtesy of
http://www.walking.ireland.ie/RESULT/IndividualWalkingResultTCS.aspx?touristItemID=62329
| Ascent | SHORT LOOP: 50m LONG LOOP: 350m |
| Distance | SHORT LOOP: 4km LONG LOOP: 16km |
| Estimated Time | SHORT LOOP: 2hrs LONG LOOP: 5-6hrs |
| Grade | SHORT LOOP: easy LONG LOOP: moderate-difficult |
| Start and Finish | SHORT LOOP: Turning Point car park near the end of Sheep’s Head LONG LOOP: lay-by 4km west of Kilcrohane village |
| Terrain | SHORT LOOP: footpaths LONG LOOP: footpaths, tracks and paved lanes |
Measuring roughly 21km in length and just 4km across its widest point, this undulating ridge jutting out from the Atlantic from west County Cork is a beautiful place to explore. With wild scenery, picturesque loughs and fantastic coastal views, the Sheep’s Head Peninsula is one of Ireland’s treasures. Despite its unrivalled charm, this is in fact a little visited part of the country, which has managed to sidestep the hustle and bustle of modern life.
The entire peninsula circuit is an 88km walking trail that takes around four days to complete. There are shorter loops that focus on a particular section of the route, and the very tip of the headland is perhaps the best place to aim for. No roads stretch this far, so the only way to unearth its charms is to travel on foot.
Short Loop
Drive as far as you can on the peninsula until you reach the Turning Point Car Park – this is your start and finish point.
A well-signposted footpath then leads you past rocky outcrops and Lough Akeen to reach the lighthouse at the tip of the headland.
The path continues along the northern side of the peninsula, crossing some rough ground underfoot. Care is needed here as sheer cliffs and steep coastal crags dominate this section of the headland.
Soon after you have rounded the cliffs, the short loop diverts across the headland and returns to Turning Point Car Park.
Long Loop
The longer 16km loop walk starts and finishes around 4km west of Kilcrohane Village. This access point allows for a longer stretch along the north coast, passing dazzling inlets, coves, blow holes and sea arches along the way.
Next, you’ll gently climb to the top of 239m-high Ballyroon Mountain, passing a ruined 17th century signal tower as you go.
The summit provides spectacular views over both sides of the peninsula before you gently come down, completing the loop along 3km of narrow country lanes to return to the starting point.