Sheep's Head - Lighthouse Loop

Walking
County Cork
4.3/5
4 reviews
Grade Strenuous
Length 3.77511 km
Time 2 hours
Format Loop
Ascent 50 m
Dogs Allowed No
Waymarking Blue arrow on yellow background
Start Point
Tooreen Point carpark at the tip of Sheep's Head peninsula
Finish Point
Tooreen Point carpark at the tip of Sheep's Head peninsula
Nearest Town to Start Kilcrohane
Grid Ref. V 733 341
Lat. and Long. 51.54599, -9.82644

This loop circles the far tip of the Sheep's Head Peninsula, on tracks and paths which are sometimes steep and rocky, passing high cliffs. It touches on lovely little Lough Akeen, and there is spectacular coastal scenery, including Mizen Head and the Beara Peninsula.

Trail Management

The Sheep's Head Way Committee Durrus, Bantry, Co.Cork
+353 27 61052 or +353 86 8778604

Facilities

Car park

OSI Maps

OSI Maps

Discovery Series Sheet 88
4 trail reviews
4.3/5
Write your own review of this trail
5/5
09/20/2021

Margaret Flanagan from Tipperary

Absolutely stunning scenery. We did loop on 19th Sep 2021. My hubby is 79 and I am 74.5.
We done yellow loop to Lighthouse from Bernie's Cafe.

CLARIFICATION FROM SPORT IRELAND OUTDOORS: The Lighthouse Loop is actually the 'blue' loop (marked with 'blue' arrows). Much of this route is the same as the Sheep's Head Way which is marked with yellow arrows. The Sheep's Head Way is not marked back to the starting point at the car park (and Bernie's Cafe) but continues around the peninsula. Many people walk the Sheep's Head Way from the car park to the lighthouse and return by the same route following the yellow arrows rather than completing the full Lighthouse Loop.
5/5
04/17/2017

Juliet from United States

My first visit to Cork and my first hike here and what a beauty! I'm a bit out of practice and this got me back into it and rewarded me far and above what I expected in views and spirit.
09/24/2015

Kathy from United States

I loved this trail so much, I included it in an article on the Best of the Wild Atlantic Way in National Geographic online:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-trip/ireland-wild-atlantic-way/

Hope you'll agree, Kathy
3/5
06/16/2011

Matt from Cork

Spectacular views of the ocean and coast from high sea cliffs and very unspoiled. The trail is slippery and not evenly graded, and the north section of the loop is higher difficulty, with loose rocks and poor footing. There are several streams and fences to cross and it also passes very close (within 2 m) of sheer sea cliffs. Allow 2 hours for the full loop. For an easier outing, it would be highly advisable to use the southern trail and skip the north section, which isn't well traveled. At the lighthouse there is a "do not trespass sign." Good gear (rain boots, coat, warm clothes) is needed since the weather can change very rapidly.

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