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Highlights
Enjoy one of Ireland’s favourite hiking routes along the Sheep’s Head Way
Dine on the world-famous mussels of Bantry Bay after exhilarating hikes.
Call the charming village of Kilcrohane home, feeling welcomed by local hospitality.
Spot whales and dolphins from the Sheep’s Head lighthouse.
Gaze across bays and open oceans at every turn.
West Cork is the playground of Ireland, and the Sheep’s Head Way is the perfect place to enjoy the fun! This 7-day self-guided hiking tour shows off the beauty of Wild Atlantic Way on one of Ireland’s best walking routes.
The tour begins in the historic town of Bantry, perched at the head of Bantry Bay. The next three days offer hikes along the north coast of the Sheep’s Head peninsula, moving progressively westward with a base in Kilcrohane. After rounding the tip where the Sheep’s Head meets the North Atlantic Ocean, head back eastward to the lovely coastal village of Durrus. The loop closes with a return to Bantry, gorgeous views of the surrounding bays guiding your way. For a true exploration of some of Ireland’s best hiking, this is the one!
West Cork is the playground of Ireland, and the Sheep’s Head Way is the perfect place to enjoy the fun! This 7-day self-guided hiking tour shows off the beauty of Wild Atlantic Way on one of Ireland’s best walking routes.
The tour begins in the historic town of Bantry, perched at the head of Bantry Bay. The next three days offer hikes along the north coast of the Sheep’s Head peninsula, moving progressively westward with a base in Kilcrohane. After rounding the tip where the Sheep’s Head meets the North Atlantic Ocean, head back eastward to the lovely coastal village of Durrus. The loop closes with a return to Bantry, gorgeous views of the surrounding bays guiding your way. For a true exploration of some of Ireland’s best hiking, this is the one!
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Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Bantry
Arrive in the harbour town of Bantry, which lies at the head of a bay sharing its name. Check into your accommodations and pick up your detailed information pack, which includes route guides and contact information.
The first night is yours to explore the town and prepare for the adventure ahead. If you’re a seafood fan, don’t miss the famous Bantry Bay mussels, the town’s most notable export.
Overnight Location: B&B in Bantry
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Beginning the Way
Time to set off on the Sheep’s Head Way! Aim westward and walk along the northern flank of the peninsula, with Bantry Bay on your right. The beautiful vistas and fresh marine breeze make for a lovely stroll. Tracks are rocky and grassy, with some roadways mixed in.
Gradually ascend the terrain until you reach Glanlough. Here you’ll be picked up and driven to Kilcrohane, your home for the next three nights. This village is one of the westernmost on the entire peninsula and sits under the watchful gaze of Seefin, the tallest hill on Sheep’s Head.
Overnight Location: B&B in Kilcrohane
Distance: 3 hours, 14km, 440m of ascent, 386m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Hike along Bantry Bay
You’ll be driven back to Glanlough to begin today’s hike. Continue along the northern coast until you reach Cahergal. Vistas of Bantry Bay are a constant, with striking cliffs and coastal features to explore.
Upon reaching Cahergal, call for your taxi to take you back to Kilcrohane for the night. Today’s paths are rocky and grassy mountain tracks, with some bog sections often wet underfoot.
For the 5-day itinerary, you will skip this portion of the route and do Day 4 here instead. This moves everything up one day (Cahergal to Kilcrohane on Day 3, Ahakista to Durrus on Day 4).
Overnight Location: B&B in Kilcrohane
Distance: 4 hours, 17km, 736m of ascent, 681m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Lookouts & Lighthouses
Start with a transfer to Cahergal to pick up where you left off. The very tip of the peninsula is your aim today, as far west as you can go. Here you’ll find a lighthouse whose materials had to be flown in by helicopter, and you may even spot whales and dolphins out at sea!
Loop around and begin the hike back eastwards, directly into Kilcrohane for your final night in the village.
If you are doing the 5-day version of this route, you will be spending your final night in Durrus, with a transfer to Bantry on the following morning and departing the region via your own arrangements.
Overnight Location: B&B in Kilcrohane
Distance: 4-5 hours, 21km, 686m of ascent, 716m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Eastward to Durrus
The day starts with a quick ten-minute car transfer to nearby Ahakista. This coastal village is the site of a memorial for the Air India Flight 182 crash which took place off the coast in 1985.
Hike eastward along the coast to the village of Durrus, at the head of Dunmanus Bay. This is a lovely spot for walking about and sampling the local fare. Traditional arts and crafts are abundant, and don’t miss a sampling of delicious Durrus Cheese!
Overnight Location: B&B in Durrus
Distance: 3 hours, 15km, 51m of ascent, 0m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Back to Bantry
Your final day on the Sheep’s Head Way. Head inland as you make your way towards Bantry. The final descent past Bantry House, with its gorgeous, terraced gardens, makes for the perfect conclusion to your adventure.
Enjoy your final night in West Cork with a hearty Irish meal and a toast to the Sheep’s Head Way!
Overnight Location: B&B in Bantry
Distance: 4 hours, 19km, 512m of ascent, 519m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Departure from Bantry
Time to depart from West Cork. Check out of your Bantry accommodations and embark on your own travel arrangements from the region.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided hiking tour in Ireland is run as a custom tour for your group and the price per person depends on the room type chosen. Prices below are per person:- Price per person sharing a double room: EUR760
Accommodation on Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour
This tour is based in small B&Bs and/or guesthouses. Each property offers warm rooms with an ensuite washroom and daily hot Irish breakfast.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. If you can request a for single room with an extra charge.
What’s Included in the Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport to the start of each day’s hike and collection from its endpoint back to your accommodations is included. The days where collection is not included are Days 4, 5, and 6, where you will be ending the day’s hike in your designated overnight destination. Luggage transfers are also included between accommodations during the tour. Airport transfers are not included.
Also Included
- Detailed route book with full area maps
- 24-hour emergency/information support
- Full pre-departure information to maximize your experience
- In-house holiday specialist to assist with any additional services
- GPS-enabled app for navigation & points of interest
Not included
- Flights to and from Cork
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Travel insurance
- Airport transfers
- Entrance fees to any sites or parks
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single room supplements
- Extra services:
- Welcome briefing
- Welcome briefing and follow up calls during the tour
- How hard is the Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland?
- Are meals included on the Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Bantry to start this tour?
- Where does the Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Ireland?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Ireland?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. A moderate level of fitness is required for the distance and elevation changes on this route, and previous hiking experience is recommended. However, no technical expertise or gear is necessary. The route involves various surfaces: paved and unpaved roads, bogland, rocky paths, and open hillside. Good boots are essential.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
6 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Cork Airport (ORK). From Cork Airport, the town of Bantry is about 1 hour 15 minutes by car. You can also take a scheduled bus from Cork, taking roughly 2 ½ hours. Your holiday specialist can assist with logistics if required.
The tour begins and ends in the town of Bantry. You can take the bus to Cork to depart.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Customer Ratings
Ireland Walk Hike Bike was set up with one purpose in mind – to show you the real Ireland that we know and love. Having watched many visitors “flash” through Ireland – founder Linda Woods decided back in 1994 to find a better way to see the country. “My aim was to slow people down, so they really get their feet into the soul of the country, meet the locals & discover what makes Ireland & the Irish tick………” and 25 years later – this is exactly what Ireland Walk Hike Bike is still doing today…
Whatever holiday you want – walk, hike, bike, more active than that or less active than that – we will be delighted to chat with you, help plan your holiday with you to ensure you have a really memorable trip to Ireland.
