Choose Your Hike

We offer different tour grading levels depending on the balance of physical challenge and comfort level that you require

Gentle Hikes

Our Gentle Hiking Tours are designed with the part-time hiker in mind.

People for whom taking photos, meeting the locals and enjoying a long lunch are as important as the hike itself.

Look out for the ? symbol: this itinerary covers the entire Sheep's Head Way trail.

Although this tour is graded as 'Gentle' there are some days that are more challenging, in particular, the more exposed ridge walks. Where possible, we have tried to make these sections easier by shortening them or offering route alternatives.

Average Hiking Distance: 13-16km (8-10 miles) per day Average Hiking Time: 4-6 hours per day

See Tours: 8 Tage
8-Tage / 7-Nächte Leicht ? Bantry - Bantry from 849 € per person View Itinerary

Moderate Hikes

Our Moderate Hiking Tours will suit people who are used to regular exercise.

Hikers will appreciate the chance to cover plenty of ground each day without going beyond their limits.

Look out for the ? symbol: this itinerary covers the entire Sheep's Head Way trail.

Although this tour is graded as 'Moderate' there are some days that are more challenging, in particular, the more exposed ridge walks. Where possible, we have tried to make these sections easier by shortening them or offering route alternatives.

Average Hiking Distance: 16-20km (10-12.5 miles) per day Average Hiking Time: 5-7 hours per day

See Tours: 7 Tage
7-Tage / 6-Nächte Moderat ? Bantry - Bantry from 749 € per person View Itinerary

Challenging Hikes

Are you the type of hiker who sets off in the morning and doesn’t stop until they reach their destination?

If yes, then our Challenging Hiking Tours will be just right for you.

Look out for the ? symbol: this itinerary covers the entire Sheep's Head Way trail.

Average Hiking Distance: 22-26km (14-15.5 miles) per day Average Hiking Time: 5-8 hours per day

See Tours: 6 Tage
6-Tage / 5-Nächte Anspruchsvoll ? Bantry - Bantry from 639 € per person View Itinerary

Trail Info

The Route

The wild circular walking route begins in the town of Bantry in County Cork and runs out along the lonely north coast of the peninsula. On the way, it offers incredible views out to the Atlantic Ocean from the rugged mountain ridge that it follows. The trail reaches the scenic lighthouse at ‘Sheep’s Head’, at the very tip of the peninsula, and then loops back to cover the southern side of the peninsula.

The southern section of the trail leads through the villages of Kilcrohane and Durrus, via grassy slopes, mountain trails, and coastal roads. From Durrus, the route heads inland, before turning back north to reach Bantry again.

Terrain Overview

The terrain is varied, and includes old boreens (a Gaelic word that literally translates as ‘little road’), open grassy and heathery moorland, field paths, quiet country roads and some short stretches of woodland paths. Approximately 28 km or 31% of the Sheep’s Head Way follows local roads but this is dependent on which tour itinerary you choose.

The route doesn’t have many steep climbs but does include a few ascents which are quite long. The total aggregate ascent is approximately 2,200m over the entire route and the route’s highest point is just 300 metres above sea level at Derrylahard, near Glanlough and east of Durrus.

Elevation Profile

Elevation Profile Sheeps Head Way

Terrain by Stages

Bantry – Glanlough: Quiet country roads out of Bantry, followed by a longer and quite steep climb on more rugged terrain along a ridge before descending into Glanlough/Gerahies.

Glanlough – Finn McCool’s Seat: Initial steep climb on rugged mountain terrain. Damp underfoot in places and quite exposed.

Finn McCool’s Seat – Tooreen: A mixture of gentle coastal paths and more rugged mountain terrain. Damp underfoot in places.

Tooreen – Kilcrohane: A mixture of quiet roads, rugged mountain terrain and grassy slopes.

Kilcrohane – Durrus: A mixture of quiet roads, coastal paths and old mountain tracks. Boggy section shortly before Durrus.

Durrus – Bantry: Mainly along quiet country roads with some climbs and descents. Occasionally along forest and mountain tracks.

Prices / What's Included

Length of Tour Price Per Person (€ ) Single Supplement (€ ) :¹
6 days / 5 nights 639 360 BOOK NOW
7 days / 6 nights 749 410 BOOK NOW
8 days / 7 nights 849 450 BOOK NOW
¹A single supplement is an additional charge for walkers booking single accommodation (a room for one person). The total tour price per person requesting a single room is the price per person plus the single supplement.

What’s Included in the Price?

  • Stay in our friendly, family-run guesthouses
  • Relax in comfortable en-suite bedrooms*
  • Big breakfasts will keep you going all day long
  • Luggage? Don’t worry, we’ll move it for you!
  • Detailed maps, route notes and GPS tracks mean you’ll never get lost
  • Walking directions written and updated by the Hillwalk Tours team
  • Local alternative/supplementary route options based on local knowledge
  • Our waterproof map-case keeps your maps and documents dry
  • If you need to contact us, we’re here 24/7 to help
  • Insider tips on the best places to eat and drink**
  • Explore the local history and culture in our fascinating guides
  • Discover the most interesting attractions on the trail
  • Need info on transport? We’re happy to help

* Unless already booked out in which case we’ll try to secure a private bathroom

** You will have the opportunity to purchase picnic lunches and evening meals each day. If you are staying in a remote location, the B&B owner will prepare a tasty surprise for you upon request.

Please Note:

We occasionally charge additional supplements on the Sheeps Head Way for tours starting during the high season. This is due to higher costs involved in booking our upgrade option or in cases where our normal accommodation suppliers do not have availability, and an alternative, more expensive, supplier is sourced with your approval.

Extra Days/Activities

The Sheep’s Head Way combines great hiking with some of the friendliest people in the world. Treat yourself to a day off along the way!

Kilcrohane/Durrus: These must be two of the most relaxed, chilled-out places in the whole world. If you’re looking to completely switch off, these are the places for you.

Bantry: The roads around the Sheep’s Head are perfect for exploring the peninsula by bike – stunning, quiet and relatively flat. Bicycle rental is available locally.

Cork: Sample the delicious food at the English Market, pay a visit to Spike Island (“Ireland’s Alcatraz“) or have a bet on the dogs at the Greyhound Stadium.

Booking Extra Days

  1. Choose WHERE you wish to stay.
  2. Decide HOW MANY NIGHTS you need.
  3. Go to the BOOKING FORM and fill in the ‘Extra Nights Required/Other Requests’ section.

The costs of extra nights during your Sheep’s Head Way hiking tour start from €75 per person per night and from €100 for single hikers who will have their own private room. 

You can also add extra nights in some other popular locations in Ireland: Dublin (Dún Laoghaire), Galway, etc. Please enquire when booking. The costs of these extra nights vary by location and date booked.

Please note that if you book any extra nights in a location not included in your tour itinerary, you will have to make your own arrangements to transfer your bags to this location.

Accommodation

Staying at the very best accommodation during your time in Ireland can transform a “good” hiking tour into a “great” hiking tour.

That’s why, at Hillwalk Tours, we take the quality of our accommodation partners seriously. So much so that you will find we strive to only work with high-quality and well-reviewed accommodation. Additionally, most of our accommodation partners have been personally checked by a member of the Hillwalk Tours team to ensure your comfort.

As keen hikers ourselves we know you’ll want somewhere relaxing to put your feet up in the evening. A place where a warm smile from your hosts makes you feel welcome as soon as you step through the door. If your hiking gear gets wet, it’s nice to know that you can dry it or, if you ask, it may even be taken from you and returned nice and dry the next morning.

Comfy beds, en-suite bathrooms (where available), tasty breakfast menus, and a friendly & cosy atmosphere – these are all the things that we like so you can rest assured that we’ll do our best to find them for you as well.

To find out more about the types of accommodation you can expect to find on a Hillwalk Tours walking holiday, read here: Accommodation on your Walking Tour

In addition, if you’d like to stay an extra night at any location during your hiking tour, just let us know.

Please Note:

Due to limited accommodation options in some locations on your tour, we may need to book you into accommodation which will require transfers to/from your hike start/end point or where you will have private bathroom facilities instead of an ensuite. We may also need to book you into the same accommodation for more than one night to cover multiple locations. The cost of this is covered in your basic tour price and will not affect your tour itinerary.

In general, we try to book accommodation which is as close to the local amenities as possible. If you are staying in a remote location (where access to local pubs/restaurants is not feasible), the hosts of the accommodation that you are staying at will ensure that you are well fed.

Travel Info

Getting to and from your Sheep’s Head Way hiking tour is easy… when you know how!

In your hiking pack, you will receive all the necessary public transport information you need to make your journey as convenient as possible.

In the meantime, if you’d like to do some advance planning yourself, here are our tips:

Most Convenient Airports

Sustainable Travel (from Europe)

Public Transport

How to Get to the Start-point of your Hiking Tour within Ireland:

Departing from the Sheep’s Head Peninsula:

Take the public bus to Cork City. From Cork, use train or public bus services.

Travelling by car?

If you would like to leave your car at the first or last accommodation on your tour, for the duration of the tour, then you can directly contact the accommodation owners before the start of your tour to check that this is possible. We will provide contact details for the accommodation provider.

FAQ

More Reading