Sheep's Head - Lighthouse Loop
Grade
Strenuous
Length
3.7 km
Time
2 hours
Format
Loop
Ascent
190 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.
Maps and other information
GPX File
External Links
Trail Management
The Sheep's Head Way Committee Durrus, Bantry, Co.Cork
+353 27 61052 or +353 86 8778604
Facilities
Car park
OSI Maps
Discovery Series Sheet 88
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.
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
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-trip/ireland-wild-atlantic-way/
Hope you'll agree, Kathy
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.
Margaret Flanagan from Tipperary
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.