Sheep's Head Way

Introduction
Bantry Ireland
The Sheep’s Head Way is a long distance walking route traversing the 4th of the five peninsulas in the southwest of Ireland.

Sheep’s Head Peninsula, or the ancient name of Muintir Bháire, the people of Bháire, is in southwest of county Cork, Ireland’s largest county. Following old tracks and roads, the route starts and finishes in Bantry and takes you to the actual Sheep’s Head at the tip of the peninsula. It must be the least visited part of Cork and this contributes to the wonderful presence of such a unique place.

Bordered by Bantry Bay to the north and Dunmanus Bay to the south, a narrow spine of mountains culminates in Seefin Hill at 345m. The route is always in view of the mighty Atlantic with pockets of temperate climate to harbour flora & fauna. Expect also to see the remains of an old copper mine, a blow hole, stone circles, standing stones, high cliffs, a Napoleonic signal tower and old churches.

The elevation varies from sea level to 345m; there are a couple of hard climbs but it is primarily a ridge and shoreline route. The route is very well marked with numbered waymarkers.

Tour Highlights
- Walking along the ridge to Seefin mountain…the world falls away on each side to water, Dunmanus Bay, Bantry Bay, the Atlantic.
- Coffee & cake in Bernie’s café, right at the tip of the peninsula!
- Bantry House & Gardens, stately 17th century untouched beauty with a quirky 1796 French Armada museum in the stable yard.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive tour so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
You will be staying in comfortable guesthouses and farmhouses. Rooms are as much as possible en-suite. However B&B’s do still have rooms that are not en-suite but should have a bathroom adjacent to the room. We will book these rooms when there are no en-suites available. This happens regularly in the high season.

We do try to make your accommodation convenient to each day’s walk. The walking distances for each day as specified in your tour itinerary may vary, depending where you are staying, as your accommodation may not be in the centre of the village. This will be referred to in your route notes and may add 2-3 km to your walk. Please check this before you walk!

While we have reserved your accommodation, it is a good idea to telephone your hosts with the approximate time of your arrival. Some accommodations will offer you tea or coffee on arrival – if they don’t please do ask if you would like some. You will find that hosts are very approachable and sometimes you just need to ask for what you want.

You must show your accommodation list to your host each day on your arrival. Your luggage will be transferred for you each day by the guesthouse owners or taxi.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Accommodation in Dromcloc farm guesthouse near Bantry
Night 2 & 3: Accommodation in Glanlough farm guesthouse
Night 4 & 5: Accommodation in Reenmore farm guesthouse
Night 6: Accommodation in Durrus
Night 7: Accommodation in Bantry

Room Occupancy
If you are travelling alone, you will be booked into a single room in your accommodations. This is often a room for two persons that you will have to yourself, which means a single supplement fee needs to be applied.
Please, note that a single traveller also incurs the full luggage transfer fee, which is normally divided between two people.
It is a good idea to contact your hosts and let them know what time you expect to arrive – they tend to be more concerned about walkers hiking alone.


Meals
Only breakfasts are included in your package.

Ireland is renowned for its “Full Irish Breakfast” which consists of bacon, sausages, fried egg and toast. Cereals or a lighter option might be available if you ask. Some walkers find the “full Irish” too much every morning. You can agree with your host on your arrival what time you want breakfast – this is usually between 8.00 and 9.00am.

You can enjoy evening meals in the guesthouses in some locations (for an extra fee), but the hosts need to be notified beforehand. If you choose to eat with your hosts in their home, please ring them the previous evening, or the morning before you arrive to book a meal. They may have to travel some distance to get supplies! Please ask your hosts for any advice in relation to the best places to eat if you wish to eat out and where to find traditional entertainment.

In the early or late season, local restaurants may be closed or pubs may not be serving evening meals. Your hosts will assist you with alternative arrangements if you are walking in the off-season.

Lunches such as sandwiches or filled rolls are often available in local shops or supermarkets, and many also have hot food counters. Look for names such as Centra, Londis, Statoil, Spar, or check in petrol stations. Please note that it is advisable to carry lunch with you unless told otherwise in the route notes.

Do tell your hosts when you arrive if you would like them to provide a packed lunch for the next day (extra fee applies).

Riding

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Travel to Bantry
Make your own way 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.
In order to make the best of the walking route, your first night is spent 5km from Bantry at the start of the Sheep’s Head Way.
Dinner is in your guesthouse.
Overnight in Dromcloc farm guesthouse near Bantry
Meals Included: none

Day 2: Dromcloc to Glanlough
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.
Walking Distance 14 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 285 m 
Overnight in Glanlough farm guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Glanlough 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 your hosts will transfer you back to Glanlough.
Walking Distance 13 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 385 m 
Overnight in Glanlough farm guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast

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.
Walking Distance 14 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 110 m 
Overnight in Reenmore farm guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast

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.
Walking Distance 16 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 200 m 
Overnight in Reenmore farm guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast

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.
Walking Distance 16 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 280 m 
Overnight in Durrus
Meals Included: Breakfast

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 17th century Bantry House.
Walking Distance 17 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 190 m 
Overnight in Bantry
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Departure
Make your own arrangements from Bantry.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Sheep's Head Way

Dates Note: Any time during the season.

Other Info
Meeting: Bantry
Airport: Cork
Transfer:

Climate:
                                                    Macroom area

• Fully waterproof rainwear;
• Waterproof hiking boots;
• Hiking-pole;
• Light walking shoes;
• Spare layer of clothing;
• Hat/cap;
• Gaiters;
• Day-rucksack;
• Thermos flask;
• Water bottle;
• Lunchbox;
• Plastic bag;
• Torch; Insect-repellent spray;
• First Aid kit;
• Blister-plaster;
• Sunscreen.