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Sheep's Head Way

A peaceful, unspoilt peninsula, home of the Sheep’s Head Way walking route, which has some of Ireland's most beautiful scenery.

Home > Walking Routes > Sheep’s Head Peninsula > Main Sheep’s Head Way > Section 5: Cahergal to the Lighthouse

Section 5: Cahergal to the Lighthouse

Map

Details

Start ACahergal
Finish BTooreen
Way Markers206-311
Distance8km
GradeModerate to Strenuous
Colour Code

Section 5 passes through several interesting historical areas, You start at Cahergal parking area and walk westwards via The Crimea, Gortavallig Copper Mines, past The Cove and onwards to the Lighthouse at the end of the Sheep’s Head peninsula.

A short distance along this section you pass through what is known as ‘The Crimea’, a small abandoned hamlet. The path winds around the ruined dwellings. One of the ruins has been restored.
At Post 220 the path descends towards a pond which was part of the local copper mine workings. There are several open (fenced) shafts here. The path then crosses a narrow rock ledge with a safety hand rail and wonderful cliff views.

Just before marker 222 is a ruined terrace of cottages that were occupied by the miners. The mine was worked between 1840-90.

The path climbs to the crest of the low ridge from where you look down to The Cove. Here there is a memorial to the author JG Farrell who tragically drowned here in 1979

Turn left and after a short distance along a track turn right at marker 235 and after another short distance you turn right to follow the roadway at marker 238 then follow the trail off road once more.

Follow the yellow arrows to the end of the peninsula and the lighthouse. To finish section 5 you continue on the trail, now heading east along the south side of the peninsula, until you reach Tooreen Trail head and Bernie’s “Cupán Tae”.

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All pages in this section

  • Section 1: Bantry to Booltenagh
  • Section 2: Booltenagh to Glanlough
  • Section 3: Glanlough to Seefin
  • Section 4: Seefin to Cahergal
  • Section 5: Cahergal to the Lighthouse
  • Section 6: Tooreen to Letter West
  • Section 7: Letter West to Kilcrohane
  • Section 8: Kilcrohane to Ahakista
  • Section 9: Ahakista to Durrus
  • Section 10: Durrus to Barnageehy
  • Section 11: Barnageehy to Bantry

Maps & GPS

Maps & GPS

News & Updates

The Sheep’s Head Way is closed to the public on Friday 31st January 2020

As usual each year, the Sheep’s Head Way is closed on 31 January, unless the expressed wishes of the Landowner states otherwise. This has become a customary practice which enables the landowner to grant permission for the public to access their land throughout the remaining year without risk of any public right of way being established.We hope you will respect this necessary inconvenience.

Mount Corrin loop

Due to  storm damage, the forestry section of the Mount Corrin loop walk will remain closed until further notice.

In Case of Emergency

Emergency Services

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The Sheeps Head Way

1 years ago

The Sheeps Head Way

Closed on Friday.
As usual each year, the Sheep's Head Way is closed on 31 January, unless the expressed wishes of the Landowner states otherwise. This has become a customary practice which enables the landowner to grant permission for the public to access their land throughout the remaining year without risk of any public right of way being established.We hope you will respect this necessary inconvenience.
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1 years ago

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Glanaclohy Walk

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Listen to Glanaclohy Walk by Top of the Rock #np on #SoundCloud
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The Sheeps Head Way

1 years ago

The Sheeps Head Way

Great footage of Crookhaven, Goleen and Mizen area, West Cork in the 1970's. ...

My Own Place- Pat Murphy’s West Cork

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Documentary from the 1970's featuring Irish Journalist Pat Murphy, a good insight into the daily routines and lifestyles of those living in West Cork at the ...

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The Sheeps Head Way

1 years ago

The Sheeps Head Way

The Sheep's Head Way would like to thank all the many people who help and support the work of keeping the trails open.

We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and the very best for the New Year.
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Beautiful ...

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