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Sheep's Head Way Walk

57.79 miles (93 km)

Open Streetmap This loop walk explores the Sheep's Head peninsula located between Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay in County Cork.
The headland is a popular place for walking and cycling with some stunning coastal scenery to enjoy. Historic features include the remains of an old copper mine, a blow hole, stone circles, standing stones, a Napoleonic signal tower and old churches.  There is also a photogenic lighthouse at the end of the peninsula.
You can start the walk from the village of Bantry and then head west to the rugged hills and cliff tops. Here you can look out for wildlife including dolphins and various sea birds.
To continue your coastal walking in the area you could head south west to Mizen Head which is traditionally regarded as the most southerly point of mainland Ireland. The stunning coastal area includes the Mizen Head Signal Station & Visitor Centre where you can learn all about this special area. Near here there's also Cape Clear, Ireland’s southernmost inhabited Irish-speaking island. It's another wonderful, peaceful place for a walk with lots of wildlife and great views back to Mizen Head.

Sheeps Head Way Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head south east and you could pick up the popular Seven Heads Walk. There's a long circular trail to follow around the picturesque peninsula with pretty seaside villages, lovely beaches and bays. The trail is located near the delightful town of Clonakilty. The vibrant seaside town has a fine walk along Clonakilty Harbour to Inchydoney Island where there's a lovely blue flag beach.
Near here there's also Galley Head where you can explore the sand dunes at Long Strand beach before heading towards the 19th century lighthouse at the end of the headland.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Sheep's Head Lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 271962

Sheep's Head Lighthouse. Lighthouse at the end of the Sheep's Head peninsula. It is a relatively recently built light, commissioned to protect tankers going in to the Whiddy Island oil terminal and completed in 1968.

Sheep's Head - end of the peninsula - geograph.org.uk - 6008888

The peninsula was named as a European Destination of Excellence for Sustainable Tourism in 2009. In March 2015, the Sheep's Head won Silver at the Irish Responsible Tourism Awards, and was longlisted for 'Best Destination' in the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2015. The area's tourism cooperative won a special judge's commendation at the Irish Tourism Industry Awards in 2015.

Lough Akeen - geograph.org.uk - 3943991

Lough Akeen

View from the Sheep's Head Way - geograph.org.uk - 3559889

View from the Sheep's Head Way

Sheep's-Head Ruins

Ruins of a stone structure sit atop a peak of Sheep's Head

Sheep's-Head Mizen-View

Green pastures on Sheep's Head peninsula with the Mizen peninsula in the distance.

Bantry - The Quay - geograph.org.uk - 6008838

Bantry

Lough on Sheep's Head peninsula - geograph.org.uk - 3943399

Lough on Sheep's Head peninsula

GPS Files

GPX File

Sheeps Head Way.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)