Sheep's Head - Mullaghmesha Loop

Walking
County Cork
4/5
1 review
Grade Strenuous
Length 12 km
Time 4 hours
Format Loop
Ascent 479 m
Dogs Allowed No
Waymarking Purple arrow
Start Point
Mealagh Community Centre
Finish Point
Mealagh Community Centre
Nearest Town to Start Bantry
Grid Ref. W 064 530
Lat. and Long. 51.721595, -9.355881

A walk to the summit of Mullaghmesha (494m) with stunning panoramic views over the West Cork countryside, from the Kerry Mountains to the North, Roaring Water Bay to the South, Bantry Bay to the West and Dunmanway to the East.

Directions: The walk can be started at various points along the road, but this version has the tough climb at the start. Starting at Mealagh Community Hall, follow the road south for about 1.2km. The trail then leaves the road and a track zig-zags uphill to some old peat cuttings, before crossing boggy ground to the summit cairn. A gentle ridge walk then takes you east to meet the Bearna-na-fola road, which winds downhill to meet the valley's southside road, and then back to the Hall.

Note that walking Mullaghmesha should not be undertaken in cloudy or misty conditions. Walkers need to be aware that conditions can change rapidly so good map reading skills and hill walking experience are essential in this landscape.

Trail Management

Sheep’s Head Way Limited info@sheepsheadway.ie / www.thesheepsheadway.ie

OSI Maps

OSI Maps

Discovery Series Sheet 85
Public Transportation

Public Transportation

Local Link bus

4/5
01/14/2024

Ken Davis from Cork

i can't believe i only found this walk today after all this time, if there was a downside its the amount of road walking on the way back. views from the top are stunning. i did this in 2 hrs 45 and i wouldn't be the fastest of walkers so 4hrs is loads of time. well worth it though. Mealagh valley is stunning to be fair.

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