Cork county is spoiled with some of the best walking routes in the country. There are 40 designated waymark trails alone, not to mention countless unofficial walks dotted amongst our mountains and along our glorious coastline.
Sheep’s Head Way (West Cork)
Walk the Sheep’s Head Way. Chosen as the best walk in Ireland by Country Walking magazine, this 90KM (55 mile) long distance walk has a huge variety of terrain all with beautiful views and there are many long and short loop walks available. Sheep’s Head has also been awarded the title of European Destination of Excellence – Tourism and Protected Areas
The Blackwater Way (North & East Cork)
The Blackwater Way has been formed by combining two separate routes so that a linear route has been created cross-country all the way from Clogheen in County Tipperary to Muckross in County Kerry. Comprising the Knockmealdown Mountains , rich farms and woodlands of the Blackwater Valley , slopes of the Nagle Hills and Paps Mountains , as well as stretches of beautiful isolation and historic settlements. While there are no technical aspects to the trail it does stretch for 188KM’s in its entirety. http://www.blackwatervalley.ie/member_page1.asp?MembersID=18
The Beara Way (West Cork)
The Beara Way Walking Route is a walking circuit of the peninsula following side roads, boreens, bog roads and tracks, taking in all that is special about the place. www.bearatourism.com/bearaway.html
There are also a number of excellent way marked looped trails to be discovered on the Beara Peninsula. More information can be found at www.bearatourism.com/walks.html
Ardnakinna Lighthouse Loop on Bere Island. (West Cork)
West Island Loop: Catch the ferry from Castletownbere to the western part of the island. The 10km route from the pier takes around four to five hours to complete and is described as moderate to difficult to complete and 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, which 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.
Walking The Vee (North Cork)
The Knowckmealdown Mountains straddle the Waterford – Tipperary border. The best known part of this range is ‘The Vee’, so called because of the V shaped gap in the mountains. Situated approximately 40 mins drive from Fermoy, there are a number of parking places on this road which provide great views of the surrounding countryside as well as a mountain lake known as Bay Lough. Access for walking is easy. There are a number of roads through the mountains and the Knockmealdowns also contain several way-marked walking routes. The highest point is Knockmealdown mountain at 794 metres (2605 feet). On the southern side of the mountain you have Mount Mellary which is a Cistercian monastery and the stunningly picturesque village of Lismore.
The following are a number of useful sites for planning your holiday in the region.
