Day 1 - Arrival to Bantry

Arrival in Cork. Travel by scheduled bus service to Bantry, lying sheltered behind Whiddy Island. Bantry is the market town of southwest Cork and an ancient port facility. The deep waters have hosted a succession of fleets, French, Spanish and British which add to the good looks of the natives! Gulf Oil came in the 1970’s to build an oil terminal. In order to make the best of the route, your first night is spent 5km from Bantry at the start of the Sheep’s Head Way.

Overnight accommodation near Bantry.

Day 2 - Bantry to Glanlough along the coast

The route starts on small farm access lanes from Dromcloc Farmhouse and climbs one of the mountain roads that cross the peninsula. At the top, it is out onto the hills, a glorious ridge walk through sheep grazing country to 223m, before descending to Glanlough and Seamount Farmhouse.

Distance 14km. Ascents 223m. Approximate walking time ? hours.

Overnight accommodation in Glanlough.

Day 3 - Glanlough to Kilcrohane

Your hosts will assist you today with a route to Kilcrohane. The ridge walk continues over Gouladane, from where you can descend to Gortnakilly or continue on the ridge to Seefin, the highest point of the peninsula at 345m. The walk finishes at Kilcrohane village from where you will be transferred back to Glanlough.

Distance ??km. Ascents ?m. Approximate walking time ? hours.

Overnight accommodation in Glanlough.

Day 4 - Kilcrohane to Tooreen, the end of the peninsula

Your hosts will return you to Kilcrohane. The Way follows the exhilarating coastline of the western end of the peninsula through ruined villages, the Gortavallig Copper Mines to Bernie’s Café at the edge of the world! Your host for tonight will collect you at this point and transfer you to Reenmore.

Distance ??km. Ascents ??m. Approximate walking time ? hours.

Overnight accommodation in Reenmore village.

Day 5 - Tooreen to Kilcrohane

Your hosts will transfer you back to Tooreen. Walk to Kilcrohane along the southern coastline of the peninsula. After the initial climb to the remains of a 17th century signal tower, today’s walk is on lower ground through farms and townlands to return to Kilcrohane village. Your host will collect you and transfer you to Reenmore.

Distance ??km. Ascents ??m. Approximate walking time ? hours.

Overnight accommodation in Reenmore village.

Day 6 - Reenmore to Durrus

The route follows old paths and droving roads through hillside farms to Durrus, the largest village on the peninsula. There are many pre-Christian remains, standing stones, wells, burial grounds, indicating the ancient importance of the area.

Distance ??km. Ascents ?m. Approximate walking time ? hours.

Overnight accommodation in Durrus.

Day 7 - Durrus to Bantry

Leaving the seascapes behind, the route follows the Four Mile Water valley before climbing through forest to Barr na Gaoithe, the Top of the Wind. A short climb completes the hill walking before descending on minor roads to Bantry town, through the grounds of majestic Bantry House.

Distance ??km. Ascents ??m. Approximate walking time ? hours.

Overnight accommodation in Bantry.

Day 8 - Departure from Bantry

Scheduled bus services from Bantry to Cork for onward connections.