West Cork Islands

Go on, get out there!

Loop Walks

Walk on the West Cork Islands

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West Cork’s islands are home to a range of walks that encourage visitors to explore landscapes, seascapes, and communities on the westernmost edge of Europe.

Walkers are spoilt for choice on Bere Island, with routes of varying difficulty guiding visitors along picturesque byways and through more rugged terrain. The walks form part of the Beara Way and guide you past sites which reveal Bere Island’s rich military heritage. Guided heritage walks and bus tours are available throughout the summer, and, however you choose to explore Bere Island, the views back across Beara, the Slieve Miskish and the Caha mountains are simply breathtaking. Walks begin at both ferry points: Rerrin village (East End) accessible from the pontoon ferry, and Oileán na gCaorach (West End), accessible from Castletownbere.

Dursey Island – connected to the mainland by its famous cable car – is home to another Beara Way walk, and Whiddy Island is also linked to national walking trails, with a Sheep’s Head Way loop walk traversing the island. Just a short ferry ride from Bantry, the island is a wonderful place to take in views back across the harbour town, and over the Sheep’s Head and Beara peninsulas, with the Bank House pub forming a more than suitable starting and ending point for your journey.

The islands in Roaringwater Bay are all perfect destinations for walkers who want to escape into nature. Sherkin, Heir, Long, and Cape Clear islands are easy to reach from the mainland with ferries available variously from Baltimore and Cunnamore. Once you’re out there, marked trails and island paths weave their way around the islands which are havens for wildlife, wildflowers, and hikers alike.

Each island has its own distinct character and story to tell, and an island walk is the perfect way to learn more about these jewels on West Cork’s coastline.

For information on guided walks and walking weekends throughout the year, see our events calendar, or contact 027 75099. Bespoke tours, includine accommodations, meals and guides, can be organised for groups of eight or more.

Information on travel to the West Cork islands is available here.

Whiddy Island Loop Walk

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Take a walk on Whiddy Island – one of West Cork’s seven inhabited islands!

Whiddy Island Loop Walk is situated in Bantry Bay between the Beara and Sheep’s Head peninsulas, and it’s home to a walk that offers spectacular views across Bantry Bay and the neighbouring landscapes.

Whiddy Island Loop Walk

Walk Details

From the Bantry head towards the pier (just past the new Supervalu) and take the Whiddy Island Ferry. The trip across Bantry Bay takes about 20 minutes and gives you a stunning view of Bantry House (weather dependent).

From the Whiddy Island Trailhead set out along the road. At the T-junction take a left. There is a finger post sign there, take the  Tranaha option. At the next way marker take a right over a timber stile and continue off-road uphill along a path. At the second timber stile you will begin to descend the hill. You will encounter two more timber stiles before re-joining the road again. At the fourth timber stile continue on to your right.

From here on follow the road and way markers back to the trailhead. We recommend you take a moment to stop at the Bank House pub before you make your way back to Bantry.

Please note the seasonal ferry times to Whiddy Island before setting out from the pier at Bantry. Also, please refrain from bringing your dogs on this walk.

Start / Finish:The pier on Whiddy Island
Length:5 km
Elevation:30 metres
Estimated Time:1hr (based on average walking speed of 3km per hour)
Grade:Moderate
Minimum Gear:Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone.
Ferry Timetable:Check details here

Sherkin Island Horseshoe Loop

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Salt spray, views of Roaringwater Bay, and ancient ruins await you on Sherkin Island

Horseshoe Loop on Sherkin Island is an attractive and enjoyable walking trail which is made up of minor roadways and green tracks and takes in the eastern end of Sherkin Island in the area between Horseshoe and Kinish Harbours with views across Horseshoe Harbour and the Island.

Walk Details

Start / Finish:First junction above the pier on Sherkin Island
Length:2 km
Elevation:40 metres
Estimated Time:1hr
Grade:Easy
Minimum Gear:Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone.
Ferry Timetable:Check details here

 

More Information

For a more detailed description of what awaits you on this walk click HERE to read an article in the Irish Examiner.

Want to know more about Sherkin Island? Click HERE and take a look!

Dursey Island Loop Walk

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Take a walk on an uninhabited island…

Dursey Island Loop Walk is located on Dursey Island which is at the tip of the Beara Peninsula in Co. Cork. Access to the island is by cablecar (the only one in Ireland) and takes up to six people. The island has no shops, pubs or restaurants – thus offering a unique experience of undisturbed tranquility. Dursey is famous for its magnificent selection of bird species and is a birdwatchers’ heaven.

The island has a stark and appealing beauty, with rugged indented coastline, lofty cliffs, open bog and a patchwork of fields divided by dry stone walls and ditches. The landscape is almost treeless since most parts of the island are exposed to strong winds and salt spray. The landscape is dotted with antiquities ranging from standing stones and an early monastery to an impressive signal station from the Napoleonic era.

The cablecar operates only certain periods of the day – please check timetable and allow at least 5hrs for your trip.

Walking Directions

A-B. Starting from the cablecar, follow the purple arrow along the roadway which travels the southern side of the island. You are also on the long-distance Beara Way marked with yellow arrows and the familiar trekking man logo. After 1km you reach Ballynacallagh the first of three villages on the island. Continue along the roadway.

B-C. Follow the roadway for a further 1km to reach the village of Kilmichael where it is said that monks from Skellig Rock founded the ancient church – now a ruin. Stay on the roadway.

C-D. Continue along the roadway for a further 3kms and enjoy the spectacular views of the Beara Peninsula on your left. To your right runs a range of steep hills along which you will return, most noteworthy here is the Signal Station. Within 100m of the end of the roadway turn right at a stone wall onto the hillside section.

[Note: You may wish to consider the option of continuing from here to Dursey Head, the westernmost point of the island. The out-and-back journey will add 1hr – 1hr 30mins to your trip.]

Walking Directions Continued

D-E. Follow purple and yellow arrows along the well-worn track uphill – a 15min walk will take you to the impressive Signal Tower (ruin). From here you have fine views of the northern side of the island and of the west Cork coastline. Two distinctive islands to the West are named the Bull and Cow! Continue straight from the tower – careful to follow the direction of the waymarker.

E-F. The loop now begins to descend, crossing a stile and joining a ‘green’ road for approximately 500m. As you round a right bend, the loop takes a sharp left turn uphill again onto a grassy track.

E-F. The loop ascends briefly and then descends steeply to reach an old roadway where you turn left. After 200m cross a stile.

F-B-A. The loop follows a series of old green paths to exit via a gateway onto the roadway you traveled out on in the village of Ballynacallagh. Turn left here and enjoy the remaining 1km back to the trail head.

 

Start / Finish:Cable Car
Length:14 km
Elevation:300 metres
Estimated Time:4hr
Grade:Moderate
Minimum Gear:Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone.
Ferry Timetable:Check details here

 

 

Ardnakinna Loop Walk – Bere Island [West]

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Traversing varied terrain, the West Island Loop Walk on Bere Island takes you along an old military track to the must-see Ardnakinna Lighthouse.

History dots the paths of the West Island Loop Walk. In 1850 a beacon was built on the edge of Bere Island where the present Ardnakinna Lighthouse lives. The rugged track that makes up this walk provides stunning views back onto the mainland. The area around the lighthouse is perfect for picnics, with views of the Sheep’s Head and Mizen Peninsulas and west to Dursey Island.

Ardnakinna West Island Loop Walk Route

Catch the ferry from Castletownbere to the western part of the island. This 10km route from the pier takes around four to five hours to complete. It leads you on a series of tracks, lanes and pathways past the main landmarks of the area. Take in the stunning coastal views as you ascend the 258m hill that forms the spine of the island. It’s a gradual climb, but you will be rewarded by 360º panoramic views over Bantry Bay and the Beara and Sheep’s Head Peninsulas. Check out the striking white tower of the Ardnakinna Lighthouse. It is characterised to mariners by its distinctive two white and red flashes every 10 seconds. Follow the route downhill again until you reach the starting point at the pier.

Start / Finish:Western Pier via Castletownbere ferry
Length:10km
Elevation:248 metres
Estimated Time:4-5 hours
Grade:Moderate to Difficult
Minimum Gear:Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone.
Ferry Timetable:Check details here

 

Active Islands West Cork

 

 

Cnoicín’s Loop Walk – Cape Clear

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Cnoicín’s Loop Walk on Cape Clear Island is bound to take your breath away…

Looking for a simple loop walk for the family? Cnoicín’s Loop Walk on Cape Clear Island is an easy grade and takes less than two-hours to walk!

Cnoicín’s Loop Walk Route

From the mapboard at the Information Office / Shop follow the green arrows (and red arrows for the longer Gleann Loop) along the roadway to reach a roadway on your left. This is the point to which you will return – for now continue straight.

Follow the green and red arrows as the road ascends. After 200m you will reach a 3-way junction. Keep left and shortly afterwards you’ll see splendid views of South Harbour. After 600m you’ll reach a 3-way junction near a hostel – the red loop continues straight on here – but you turn left.

Follow the roadway as it ascends gently. After 500m, note that the red loop rejoins from your right. After only 200m watch for a marker which directs you left through a stone stile and onto what was an old Mass Path. Follow the red and green arrows as the track takes you across an area called the Cnoicíns (the little hills) and exits onto a surfaced road where you turn left.

The road takes you back to the junction mentioned above – 20m from the island shop and restaurant.

Start / Finish:Tourist Office
Length:4km
Elevation:200 metres
Estimated Time:1hr 45min
Grade:Easy
Minimum Gear:Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone.
Ferry Timetable:Check details here

 

Active Islands West Cork

Gleann Loop Walk – Cape Clear

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Spectacular views of the Fastnet Rock and West Cork coastline await you on Cape Clear 7km Gleann Loop Walk.

This National Loop walk on Cape Clear Island starts and ends at the Tourist Office where local island producers sell their crafts. Stunning views of the island and mainland coastlines are a true highlight of this experience!

Gleann Loop Walk Route

From the mapboard at the Information Office / Shop follow the red arrows (and green arrows for the shorter Cnoicin’s Loop) along the roadway until you reach a roadway on your left. This is the point to which you will return – for now continue straight.

Follow the green and red arrows as the road ascends. After 200m you will reach a 3-way junction. Keep left and shortly afterwards splendid views of South Harbour will appear. After 600m you’ll reach a 3-way junction near a hostel. The green loop turns left here, but you continue straight on.

After 100m take a sharp left away from the quay and ascend sharply to reach a left bend. Turn right onto a sandy roadway. Follow the roadway for 150m to a left bend and watch for the red arrow which turns you to the right and into a field. Now follow a narrow walking path as you are taken around the area called An Gleann. Please stick to the official path which keeps you on the outer edge and affords you spectacular views of the Fastnet Rock and the West Cork coastline. After over 1km the loop turns inland and takes you cross-country to join a surfaced road where you rejoin the green loop.

After only 200m watch for a marker which directs you left through a stone stile and onto what was an old Mass Path. Follow the red and green arrows as the track takes you across an area called Cnoicins (the little hills) and exits onto a surfaced road where you turn left.

Start / Finish:Tourist Office
Length:7km
Elevation:280 metres
Estimated Time:1hr 45min
Grade:Moderate
Minimum Gear:Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone.
Ferry Timetable:Check details here

Active Islands West Cork

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