Sheep's Head Way Walking Holiday — 7 Days (Moderate)
The full Sheep's Head loop — four days closing the circuit over the Seefin ridge
6 Days on the Sheep's Head Way — The Full Loop With Seefin
The 6-day version is the proper Sheep's Head trip. Four walking days, two travel days, and the complete circular trail walked end-to-end — including the signature climb over the Seefin ridge on the final walking day, the highest point on the entire peninsula.
You start in Bantry, walk west on Day 2 through Durrus (Good Things Café for lunch) along the north coast to Kilcrohane. Day 3 is the showpiece — the Sheep's Head lighthouse tip walk, out along the ridge to the Napoleonic signal tower, the blowhole, and the small white lighthouse at the end of the world.
Day 4 brings you back along the south coast through Ahakista (Arundel's by the Pier for lunch) past stone circles and standing stones to Durrus for one last Good Things Café dinner. Day 5 is the showpiece climb — up over the Seefin ridge at 345 metres, the highest point on the peninsula, with 360-degree views across three peninsulas — Sheep's Head, Mizen and Beara — and on down to Bantry to close the loop.
This is the trip for guests who want everything Sheep's Head has to offer — the food, the lighthouse, the south coast, and the signature Seefin climb. Four walking days, the full circuit, no shortcuts. By the fifth evening in Bantry you'll have walked every important corner of the quietest peninsula on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Highlights
The Full Sheep''s Head Loop
Four walking days right around the peninsula — Bantry, north coast, lighthouse tip, south coast, Seefin ridge, back to Bantry. Every important section of the trail walked.
The Seefin Ridge — Signature Climb
Day 5 takes you up over the Seefin ridge at 345 metres, the highest point on the peninsula. 360-degree views across three peninsulas — Sheep''s Head, Mizen and Beara — and the open Atlantic.
The Lighthouse Tip Walk
Day 3 — out from Kilcrohane along the dramatic ridge to the Napoleonic signal tower, the blowhole, and the small white lighthouse at the very tip of the peninsula. The standout walk on the route.
Two Visits to Good Things Café
Lunch on Day 2, dinner on Day 4 — Durrus and its food belt are the spine of the trip, and we''ve put you in Durrus twice so you can really enjoy them.
Who Is This For?
Walkers who want the complete Sheep's Head experience.
Four walking days, the full loop, the signature Seefin climb. The 6-day is the version where every important section is covered — there's no shortcut, no skipped leg.
Couples and friends planning a real week.
The pace is moderate but the variety is genuine — north coast on Day 2, lighthouse on Day 3, south coast on Day 4, mountain ridge on Day 5. Four completely different days of walking on one quiet peninsula.
People who want Atlantic drama and proper food.
Two visits to Good Things Café, dinners in Bantry, Kilcrohane and Durrus, the artisan-food spine of West Cork running underneath the whole trip. And the Seefin ridge climb is the kind of day you remember for years.
Tour Itinerary
Day
1
Arrival in Bantry
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Arrival in Bantry
Arrive in Bantry and settle into your first accommodation — the gentle market town at the head of Bantry Bay, with Bantry House and Gardens, a Friday market, and Fish Kitchen and the Brick Oven for dinner.
We will provide you with information on how to get here using public transport in your pre-departure pack — Cork is the closest rail and bus hub, with regular onward services to Bantry — or talk to us about private transfer options from Cork Airport.
Tonight, rest. Tomorrow you walk west onto the Sheep's Head.
Day
2
Bantry to Glanlough — north coast
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Bantry to Glanlough — north coast
West out of Bantry along quiet coastal lanes onto the peninsula proper, with Bantry Bay opening to your right and the Caha Mountains rising across the water. About 14 km of rolling north-coast country to Glanlough, where Bridge View House transfer you the short distance south to your accommodation in Kilcrohane for the next three nights.
Dinner at Bridge View House — restaurant on site, packed lunch already booked for tomorrow.
Day
3
Glanlough to Kilcrohane — north coast
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Glanlough to Kilcrohane — north coast
Short transfer back to Glanlough after breakfast and the trail picks up. About 17.5 km of north-coast walking with views opening west toward the lighthouse, finishing near Kilcrohane village. Walk the last short section to Bridge View House for your second night here.
Day
4
Sheep's Head Lighthouse Tip Return
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Sheep's Head Lighthouse Tip Return
The star day. Out along the dramatic ridge to the very tip — the Napoleonic signal tower, the famous blowhole, and the small white lighthouse at the end of the world. 360-degree Atlantic views: Bantry Bay to your right, Dunmanus Bay to your left.
Return on the lower coastal path to the same Kilcrohane B&B. Bag already there, no packing.
Day
5
Kilcrohane to Durrus (via Ahakista)
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Kilcrohane to Durrus (via Ahakista)
The south coast return. East along the quieter shore of Dunmanus Bay, with the Mizen Head visible across the water. The trail passes stone circles, standing stones and a Bronze Age copper-mining heritage.
Lunch in Ahakista at Arundel's by the Pier, then on through pastoral country to Durrus. Tonight, Good Things Café for dinner.
Day
6
Durrus to Bantry (via Seefin Ridge)
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Durrus to Bantry (via Seefin Ridge)
The signature climb. Up out of Durrus onto the high spine of the peninsula and over the Seefin ridge at 345 metres — the highest point on the entire Sheep's Head Way. 360-degree views across three peninsulas: Sheep's Head, Mizen and Beara, plus the open Atlantic.
The descent brings you down through pasture and woodland to close the loop in Bantry. Tonight is your celebration dinner — Fish Kitchen or the Brick Oven, the choice is yours.
Day
7
Departure from Bantry
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Departure from Bantry
A leisurely morning. A last full Irish breakfast.
Bantry is roughly 90 minutes by road from Cork Airport / Cork Kent station. We can arrange a private transfer for the morning if you'd prefer. Many guests add a night in Kinsale or Kenmare on the way out — both well worth the detour.
Route & Map
Accommodation
Five nights in carefully chosen B&Bs and guesthouses — opening and closing nights in Bantry, two consecutive nights in Kilcrohane (for the lighthouse star day), and one in Durrus before the Seefin climb. Every room is en-suite, every breakfast is the full Irish, and every host is someone we've worked with for years.
Your main luggage is transferred door-to-door each walking day, so you carry only a light daypack. The two consecutive nights in Kilcrohane mean no transfer on the lighthouse day — you head out, walk to the tip, return, and your bed is already made.
Bantry, Kilcrohane and Durrus all have proper restaurants and pubs within five minutes' walk. This is one of the great Irish food regions, and the houses are placed to put you within easy reach of the best of it.
What's Included
check_circle What's Included
- doneAccommodation: 5 nights in en-suite B&B or guesthouse rooms (Bantry, Kilcrohane × 2, Durrus, Bantry)
- doneBreakfast: Full Irish breakfast every morning
- doneLuggage Transfer: Daily door-to-door transfer of your main bag
- doneMaps & Navigation: Detailed route notes, GPX files, and a waterproof map case
- donePre-Departure Pack: Information pack 4 weeks before you travel
- doneSupport: 24/7 emergency support line for the duration of your trip
block Not Included
- closeFlights: Travel to Ireland is not included
- closeInsurance: You will need travel and walking holiday insurance
- closeMeals: Lunches and dinners (we'll happily recommend pubs, restaurants and cafés en route)
- closeDeparture Transfer: Day-6 transfer from Bantry (we can arrange a private transfer to Cork Airport or Cork Kent station for an additional fee — Bantry is roughly 90 min by road from Cork)
Photo Gallery
Best Time to Visit
May through October offers the best walking conditions. May and June bring the longest daylight hours, wildflowers carpeting the roadside hedges, and quiet trails. July and August are warmest but slightly busier (though never crowded on the Sheep's Head). September is arguably the finest month — clear light, golden heather, empty trails, and the food culture at its peak with harvest season.
The annual Bantry Friday Market runs year-round and is one of Ireland's best. The West Cork Literary Festival (July) and Bantry Agricultural Show (August) add colour to a visit. October brings autumn colours and dramatic Atlantic weather. Winter walking is possible for experienced walkers with proper gear, though some mountain sections can be boggy.
Time your visit with a festival. Many trails host walking festivals throughout the season — see our complete 2026 walking festivals calendar to plan around one.
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Cliff & Louise
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