Night 1
B&B in Bantry
Enjoy a comfy bed and basic amenities at your B&B in Bantry, known for its great food.
Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour (7 Day)
Prices
Highlights
Enjoy one of Ireland’s favourite hiking routes along the Sheep’s Head Way
West Cork is the playground of Ireland, and the Sheep’s Head Way is the perfect place to enjoy the fun! This 7-day self-guided hiking tour shows off the beauty of Wild Atlantic Way on one of Ireland’s best walking routes.
The tour begins in the historic town of Bantry, perched at the head of Bantry Bay. The next three days offer hikes along the north coast of the Sheep’s Head peninsula, moving progressively westward with a base in Kilcrohane. After rounding the tip where the Sheep’s Head meets the North Atlantic Ocean, head back eastward to the lovely coastal village of Durrus. The loop closes with a return to Bantry, gorgeous views of the surrounding bays guiding your way. For a true exploration of some of Ireland’s best hiking, this is the one!
Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Bantry
Arrive in the harbour town of Bantry, which lies at the head of a bay sharing its name. Check into your accommodations and pick up your detailed information pack, which includes route guides and contact information.
The first night is yours to explore the town and prepare for the adventure ahead. If you’re a seafood fan, don’t miss the famous Bantry Bay mussels, the town’s most notable export.
- Overnight Location
- B&B in Bantry
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- None
Day 2 Beginning the Way
Time to set off on the Sheep’s Head Way! Aim westward and walk along the northern flank of the peninsula, with Bantry Bay on your right. The beautiful vistas and fresh marine breeze make for a lovely stroll. Tracks are rocky and grassy, with some roadways mixed in.
Gradually ascend the terrain until you reach Glanlough. Here you’ll be picked up and driven to Kilcrohane, your home for the next three nights. This village is one of the westernmost on the entire peninsula and sits under the watchful gaze of Seefin, the tallest hill on Sheep’s Head.
- Overnight Location
- B&B in Kilcrohane
- Distance
- 3 hours, 14km, 440m of ascent, 386m of descent
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 3 Hike along Bantry Bay
You’ll be driven back to Glanlough to begin today’s hike. Continue along the northern coast until you reach Cahergal. Vistas of Bantry Bay are a constant, with striking cliffs and coastal features to explore.
Upon reaching Cahergal, call for your taxi to take you back to Kilcrohane for the night. Today’s paths are rocky and grassy mountain tracks, with some bog sections often wet underfoot.
For the 5-day itinerary, you will skip this portion of the route and do Day 4 here instead. This moves everything up one day (Cahergal to Kilcrohane on Day 3, Ahakista to Durrus on Day 4).
- Overnight Location
- B&B in Kilcrohane
- Distance
- 4 hours, 17km, 736m of ascent, 681m of descent
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 4 Lookouts & Lighthouses
Start with a transfer to Cahergal to pick up where you left off. The very tip of the peninsula is your aim today, as far west as you can go. Here you’ll find a lighthouse whose materials had to be flown in by helicopter, and you may even spot whales and dolphins out at sea!
Loop around and begin the hike back eastwards, directly into Kilcrohane for your final night in the village.
If you are doing the 5-day version of this route, you will be spending your final night in Durrus, with a transfer to Bantry on the following morning and departing the region via your own arrangements.
- Overnight Location
- B&B in Kilcrohane
- Distance
- 4-5 hours, 21km, 686m of ascent, 716m of descent
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5 Eastward to Durrus
The day starts with a quick ten-minute car transfer to nearby Ahakista. This coastal village is the site of a memorial for the Air India Flight 182 crash which took place off the coast in 1985.
Hike eastward along the coast to the village of Durrus, at the head of Dunmanus Bay. This is a lovely spot for walking about and sampling the local fare. Traditional arts and crafts are abundant, and don’t miss a sampling of delicious Durrus Cheese!
- Overnight Location
- B&B in Durrus
- Distance
- 3 hours, 15km, 51m of ascent, 0m of descent
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 6 Back to Bantry
Your final day on the Sheep’s Head Way. Head inland as you make your way towards Bantry. The final descent past Bantry House, with its gorgeous, terraced gardens, makes for the perfect conclusion to your adventure.
Enjoy your final night in West Cork with a hearty Irish meal and a toast to the Sheep’s Head Way!
- Overnight Location
- B&B in Bantry
- Distance
- 4 hours, 19km, 512m of ascent, 519m of descent
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 7 Departure from Bantry
Time to depart from West Cork. Check out of your Bantry accommodations and embark on your own travel arrangements from the region.
- Overnight Location
- None
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- Breakfast
Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided hiking tour in Ireland is run as a custom tour for your group and the price per person depends on the room type chosen. There are upgrade options available (including phone check-ins and a welcome briefing), please contact us if you are interested in these.
Prices below are per person:
- Price per person sharing a double room: $795USD
Accommodation on Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour
This tour is based in small B&Bs and/or guesthouses. Each property offers warm rooms with an ensuite washroom and daily hot Irish breakfast.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement of $150USD to have a private room in a hotel where possible. The required supplement for solo travellers is included in the listed price.
Night 2-4
Hotel in Kilcrohane
Splendid scenery is matched by Kilcrohane hospitality, with welcoming rooms and piping hot Irish breakfast to complement your adventures here.
Night 5
Hotel in Durrus
A lovely village with cozy ensuite rooms welcomes you for the evening.
Night 6
B&B in Bantry
Enjoy a comfy bed and basic amenities at your B&B in Bantry, known for its great food.
Hotels on Standard Tour
What’s Included in the Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport to the start of each day’s hike and collection from its endpoint back to your accommodations is included. The days where collection is not included are Days 4, 5, and 6, where you will be ending the day’s hike in your designated overnight destination. Luggage transfers are also included between accommodations during the tour. Airport transfers are not included.
Also Included
- Detailed route book with full area maps
- 24-hour emergency/information support
- Full pre-departure information to maximize your experience
- In-house holiday specialist to assist with any additional services
- GPS-enabled app for navigation & points of interest
Not included
- Flights to and from Cork
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Travel insurance
- Airport transfers
- Entrance fees to any sites or parks
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single room supplements
- Extra services:
- Welcome briefing
- Welcome briefing and follow up calls during the tour
Frequenty Asked Questions about Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour (7 Day)
How hard is the Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. A moderate level of fitness is required for the distance and elevation changes on this route, and previous hiking experience is recommended. However, no technical expertise or gear is necessary. The route involves various surfaces: paved and unpaved roads, bogland, rocky paths, and open hillside. Good boots are essential.
Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour?
6 breakfasts are included.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Bantry to start this tour?
Fly into Cork Airport (ORK). From Cork Airport, the town of Bantry is about 1 hour 15 minutes by car. You can also take a scheduled bus from Cork, taking roughly 2 ½ hours. Your holiday specialist can assist with logistics if required.
Where does the Sheep’s Head Way Walking Tour end?
The tour begins and ends in the town of Bantry. You can take the bus to Cork to depart.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Ireland?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Ireland?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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Stephen L.
I’ve been using 10Adventures route guides for a while, but had never booked a tour. My wife and I booked a self-guided hike in Greece and were so impressed with how we were able navigate the route without a guide with the detailed and easy to follow itinerary. We enjoy travelling independently, and 10Adventures made that happen.
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Whenever I’m looking for my next adventure 10Adventures never fails. Their routes all over England are my main go to for exploring and I have only had great experiences booking both guided and self-guided trips in Europe and South America with them. I am looking into Africa next.
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Erika S.
I just got back from backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, and WOW. What an unreal journey! The alpine meadows, waterfalls, and the lakeside camping spot were memorable highlights! I wonder what other tours 10Adventures has to offer. That one went so well that I am now convinced I need to book another!
Robert D.
I'm not a big fan of traveling because of my fear of flying, but my girlfriend convinced me to go on the Aurora Borealis Tour in the Yukon. I will never forget the mesmerizing northern lights. Such a romantic (and cold) getaway. I would highly recommend it.
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Why 10Adventures?
Rated 4.9 on Google Reviews
Tour Difficulty
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. A moderate level of fitness is required for the distance and elevation changes on this route, and previous hiking experience is recommended. However, no technical expertise or gear is necessary. The route involves various surfaces: paved and unpaved roads, bogland, rocky paths, and open hillside. Good boots are essential.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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