View Map
Popular destinations
Donegal
Cork
Kerry
Mayo
Wexford
Waterford
Dublin
Explore more
Looking for accommodation?
Find where to stay
Popular articles
DI - Cycling the Waterford Greenway

Cycling the Waterford Greenway

VD & DI - Explore 3 stunning walks in the Dublin Mountains

3 stunning walks in the Dublin Mountains

DI - Top 10 walks and hikes for experienced walkers

Top 10 walks and hikes for experienced walkers

Popular experiences
Walking and hiking
Car-free travel
Free things to do
Things to do
Festivals and events
See all results
View Map
View Map
Discover Ireland Website
View Map
Popular destinations
Donegal
Cork
Kerry
Mayo
Wexford
Waterford
Dublin
Explore more
Looking for accommodation?
Find where to stay
Popular articles
DI - Cycling the Waterford Greenway

Cycling the Waterford Greenway

VD & DI - Explore 3 stunning walks in the Dublin Mountains

3 stunning walks in the Dublin Mountains

DI - Top 10 walks and hikes for experienced walkers

Top 10 walks and hikes for experienced walkers

Popular experiences
Walking and hiking
Car-free travel
Free things to do
Things to do
Festivals and events
See all results
View Map
View Map
Home
Destinations
Cork
Ahakista
Sheep's Head - Barán Loop ...
Sheep's Head - Barán Loop
Sheeps Head
More from visitors like you
Ahakista, Co. Cork
  • Free things to do
  • Nature and wildlife
  • Sustainability
  • Walking and hiking
Hidden gem
Free to visit
Free car parking
Sheeps Head
More from visitors like you
Sheep's Head is a peninsula between Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay in County Cork. The peninsula has three villages, Durrus, Kilcrohane and Ahakista, where this loop starts and finishes.

Sheep's Head is a peninsula between Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay in County Cork. The peninsula has three villages, Durrus, Kilcrohane and Ahakista, where this loop starts and finishes. This is indeed a peaceful and unspoilt spot, which has some of Ireland's most beautiful scenery and described as the one of the best kept secrets in the whole country. Because of its proximity to the Gulf Stream, it boasts perhaps the mildest climate in Ireland, daffodils have been known to pop out in January! The visitor to the Sheep's Head will love its idyllic quietness and the ease with which you get to know local people. There are plenty of things to do on the Sheep's Head including a range of historic tombs and monuments, a magnificent ring driving route, sea fishing, bathing spots, sandy and shingle beaches. For the hardened walker, the Sheep's Head Way is an 88 kilometre long distance trail which follows old tracks and roads around the peninsula from Bantry to the headland and back. The well signposted trail combines superb moorland crest and rugged cliffs, as well as easy lowland terrain. See also 98B&C loops.

A-B. With your back to Arundel’s Pub, turn right and follow green (and blue and purple) arrows along the road for just 100 metres to the road junction where you turn right and, almost immediately, turn left onto a minor roadway. The blue and purple arrows are for the longer Seefin and Glanlough loops. Continue to follow this roadway to Gorteanish, taking note that you overlap with the long distance Sheep’s Head Way (yellow arrows and walking man) on the way. At a junction of laneways in Gorteanish the Glanlough Loop continues straight, you turn left and cross a stone stile, following the green (and blue) arrows.

B-C. Now the loop starts the ascent of Ardanenig, easy along an old laneway at first and then a fairly steep climb on a mountain track for 400 metres to reach a point near Rosskerrig Mountain where the Seefin Loop turns right, but where you turn left.

C-D. Continue to follow the green arrows as the loop crosses Rosskerrig Mountain and descends to join the Sheeps Head Way on an old roadway where you turn left.

D-A. Now you follow green arrows (for this loop) and yellow arrows (for the Sheeps Head Way) along a surfaced roadway for over 1 kilometre before the Sheeps Head Way turns left at a memorial to Tom Whitty. Continue straight here and shortly afterwards join the main road for the peninsula. Continue straight at the junction, pass the pub with the tin roof on your right and reach the 3 way junction at A above. Turn right here, it’s only 100 metres back to the trailhead.

Visit website

Trail details

Type:
Walking Trail
Location:
Sheep's Head Ahakista
Grade:
Strenuous
Format:
Loop
Length:
8.70km
Ascent:
300m
Dogs allowed:
No
    Time:3 hours
    Nearest town start:Ahakista
    Nearest town finish:Ahakista
    Start point:Car park at Arundels Bar by Ahakisha pier
    Finish point:car park at Arundels Bar by Ahakisha pier
    Waymarking:Green arrow
    Facilities:Car park
map
Tips from locals

Watch out for the quirky "Tin Pub" in Ahakista.

map
Visit Website
Contact details
Reenacappul, Ahakista, Co. Cork, Ireland
Experience as part of
Wild Atlantic Way LogoWild Atlantic Way
Leave no trace
  • Plan ahead and prepare
  • Be considerate of others
  • Respect farm animals and wildlife
  • Travel and camp responsibly
  • Leave what you find
  • Dispose of waste properly
  • Protect nature from fire
Content provided by
Sports Ireland LogoSports Ireland
Travel inspiration to your inbox?

Subscribe now to receive destination inspiration, travel tips, upcoming events and all the best things to do around Ireland.

Sign me up
Award IconMobile Excellence Award Winner
  • Wild Atlantic Way
  • Visit Dublin
  • Ireland’s Ancient East
  • Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands
  • Contact us
  • About us
  • Getting around
  • Terms of use
  • Cookie policy
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy statement
Find accommodation
Failte IrelandFailte Ireland Logo© Fáilte Ireland. All rights reserved
Find and follow Discover Ireland
  • Home
  • Popular destinations
    • Donegal
    • Cork
    • Sligo
    • Kilkenny
    • Mayo
    • Waterford
    • Galway
    • Kerry
    • Limerick
    • Dublin
    • See all destinations
    Regions
    • The Ring of Kerry
    • The Burren
    • The Boyne Valley
    • Wild Atlantic Way
    • Ireland's Ancient East
    • Ireland's Hidden Heartlands
    Trip type
    • City breaks
    • Coastal escapes
    • Lakes & rivers
    • Islands
    See all destinations
    • Attractions
      • Arts & culture
      • Houses & gardens
      • History & heritage
      • Health & wellbeing
      • Food & drink experiences
      • Nature & wildlife
      • See all things to do
    • Activities
      • Adventure & sports
      • Horse riding
      • Golf
      • Tours
      • Cycling
      • Water activities
      • Greenways
    • Inspiration
      • Romantic breaks
      • Free things to do
      • Rainy days
      • Family fun
      • Car-free travel
      • Sustainable travel
    See all things to do
  • Guides
  • Festivals & events
  • Walking & hiking
  • Accommodation
View Map
Newsletter
Popular destinations
  • Donegal
  • Cork
  • Sligo
  • Kilkenny
  • Mayo
  • Waterford
  • Galway
  • Kerry
  • Limerick
  • Dublin
Discover Ireland Website
View Map
Looking for accommodation?
Find where to stay
See all results