The Sheep’s Head Way has over 250km of walking trails. These are made up of linear routes and loop walks. All the trails are graded depending on how easy going the terrain is under normal conditions.
The distance and duration (approximate time) is given for each walk in a searchable table.
The walking routes are listed in two sections
The Sheep’s Head Way main route area includes the peninsula with Bantry to the north and Dunbeacon to the south and The Eastern Trails area includes the three valleys to the east of Bantry and connects with the Beara Way.
Trailheads
Detailed maps and information can be found for the walks accessed from each of the major trailheads. The location of the trailheads and map boards are also indicated on the main Sheep’s Head Way trail map below.
Distances & times (based on walking 3km per hr) between Trailheads
| Trail Heads | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bantry to Dún Óir | 20 km | 6 hrs 30 mins |
| Dún Óir to the Goat’s Path | 7km | 2hrs 30 mins |
| Goat’s Path to Tooreen (lighthouse) | 14.8km | 5 hrs |
| Tooreen (lighthouse) to Black Gate | 6km | 2 hrs |
| Black Gate to Kilcrohane | 8km | 3 hrs |
| Kilcrohane to Ahakista | 7km | 2 hrs 30 mins |
| Ahakista to Durrus | 11km | 4 hrs |
| Durrus to Bantry | 21 km | 6 hrs 30 mins |
| Bantry to Drimoleague | 23km | 7 hrs 30 mins |
| Drimoleague to Kealkil | 20-26 km | 6 – 8 hrs |
The Sheep’s Head Peninsula
This section includes the walks on the Sheep’s Head peninsula around Kilcrohane, Ahakista, Durrus and west of Bantry.
The main Sheep’s Head Way is a 93km long walk which starts and finishes in Bantry town. We have divided it into 11 sections and you will find it listed on the main Sheep’s Head Way page with the directions and map for each section.
The Loop Walks are listed by locality so you can choose a walk to suit your available time and ability in your preferred area.
The Eastern Trails Section
The Eastern trails section lists both linear and loop walks by area. Drimoleague, the Mealagh Valley and Kealkill (Carriganass) are to the east and north east of Bantry.
The Sheep’s Head peninsula and Eastern trails connect via linear routes. The Bantry to Drimoleague trail takes you eastwards where you can join the St Finbarr’s Way route. This pilgrim trail takes you through the Mealagh Valley on to Kealkil and beyond to Gougane Barra.
There are several loop and linear walks in each area, with differing difficulty and duration, for you to choose a local walk to suit you.
