Sheep's Head Way Walking Holiday — 8 Days (Moderate)
The full loop with a proper rest day in Kilcrohane after the lighthouse star walk
7 Days on the Sheep's Head Way — The Full Loop with a Real Rest Day
The 7-day version is the Sheep's Head Way at its most relaxed pace. Four walking days, two travel days, and one full rest day in Kilcrohane — built in deliberately between the lighthouse star walk on Day 3 and the south coast return on Day 5.
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 — out along the dramatic ridge to the Sheep's Head lighthouse, the Napoleonic signal tower and the blowhole at the very tip of the peninsula, then back along the lower coastal path to Kilcrohane.
Day 4 is your rest day. No luggage to pack, no walking schedule. A few popular ways to spend it: walk down to Dooneen Pier and watch the boats; hire a kayak from Carbery Kayaks for a paddle in the bay; visit the Sheep's Head Centre in Kilcrohane for the heritage and the coffee; long lunch at Eileen's café; or just sit in the garden of your B&B with a book and let the day go.
Day 5 takes you back along the south coast through Ahakista (Arundel's by the Pier) past stone circles to Durrus, and Day 6 is the signature Seefin ridge climb at 345 metres back to Bantry to close the loop.
This is the trip for guests who want the full loop without rushing, with a real day off built in. Most guests use the rest day to fall properly in love with Kilcrohane.
Highlights
A Proper Rest Day in Kilcrohane
Day 4 is yours — coffee at the Sheep''s Head Centre, a kayak in Bantry Bay, a walk down to Dooneen Pier, or just a book in the B&B garden. The kind of day that makes the rest of the trip feel longer.
The Sheep''s Head Lighthouse Tip Walk
Day 3 — the dramatic ridge out to the Napoleonic signal tower, the blowhole, and the small white lighthouse at the end of the world. 360-degree Atlantic views, both bays in sight.
Seefin Ridge — Signature Climb
Day 6 takes you up over the 345 m Seefin ridge — highest point on the peninsula — with sweeping views across Sheep''s Head, Mizen and Beara before the descent to Bantry.
Three Visits to West Cork''s Food Belt
Lunch and dinner stops at Good Things Café in Durrus, dinners at O''Callaghan''s in Kilcrohane and Fish Kitchen in Bantry. The artisan-food spine of West Cork running underneath the whole trip.
Who Is This For?
Walkers who want time, not just distance.
Seven days, four walking days, one full rest day. The full Sheep's Head Way loop walked at the most relaxed pace we offer — every important section covered, with breathing room built in.
Couples and friends who want depth.
The pace lets you arrive in each place rather than passing through it. Two consecutive nights in Kilcrohane, one in Durrus, two in Bantry — the houses are properly inhabited rather than just slept in.
People who like options on a rest day.
Day 4 in Kilcrohane flexes around what you want — kayak in the bay, the Sheep's Head Centre, a long lunch, an extra coastal walk if you're feeling ambitious. The flexibility is the whole point.
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, 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 — or talk to us about private transfer options from Cork Airport.
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 four nights.
Dinner at Bridge View House restaurant, 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. The last short section walks 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 Napoleonic signal tower, the blowhole and the small white lighthouse at the very tip. 360-degree Atlantic views. Return on the lower coastal path to the same Kilcrohane B&B — bag already there, no packing.
Day
5
Rest Day in Kilcrohane
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Rest Day in Kilcrohane
A full day with no luggage to pack and no schedule to keep. A few popular ways to spend it:
Kayak in Bantry Bay. Carbery Kayaks operate from Kilcrohane harbour with morning and afternoon trips on calm water. Easy to arrange on the day.
Sheep's Head Centre in Kilcrohane. Good little heritage centre with coffee, books on the trail, and the kind of slow afternoon that you can't engineer.
Walk down to Dooneen Pier. Short flat coastal stroll if you'd like to keep your legs moving — a working pier with fishing boats and the kind of view that earns its keep.
Long lunch at Eileen's. Or just sit in the B&B garden with a book and let the day go. Many guests do exactly this.
Day
6
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, through stone circles and standing stones to Ahakista (Arundel's by the Pier for lunch) and on to Durrus. Good Things Café for dinner.
Day
7
Durrus to Bantry (via Seefin Ridge)
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Durrus to Bantry (via Seefin Ridge)
The signature climb. Up over the Seefin ridge at 345 metres — highest point on the peninsula — with 360-degree views across three peninsulas. Descent into Bantry to close the loop. Celebration dinner tonight at Fish Kitchen or the Brick Oven.
Day
8
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.
Route & Map
Accommodation
Six nights in carefully chosen B&Bs and guesthouses — opening night in Bantry, three consecutive nights in Kilcrohane (lighthouse day plus rest day), one in Durrus, and one final night in Bantry. 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. No transfer is needed on the lighthouse day or the rest day — you sleep in the same Kilcrohane B&B for three consecutive nights, which lets you really settle in to one of the friendliest villages on the trail.
Three nights in Kilcrohane is exactly the right amount of time to feel like a regular at O'Callaghan's.
What's Included
check_circle What's Included
- doneAccommodation: 6 nights in en-suite B&B or guesthouse rooms (Bantry, Kilcrohane × 3, Durrus, Bantry)
- doneBreakfast: Full Irish breakfast every morning
- doneLuggage Transfer: Daily door-to-door transfer of your main bag (no transfer needed on lighthouse day or rest day)
- 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)
- closeOptional Day-4 Activities: Kayak hire from Carbery Kayaks, Sheep's Head Centre entry, or any other rest-day activities are easy to arrange in Kilcrohane on the day
- closeDeparture Transfer: Day-7 transfer from Bantry to Cork Airport / Kent Station (extra fee)
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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