Difficulty Rating : 5 Start : Bantry Finish : Bantry Daily Average : 11-19km Weekly Average : 80km Tour Type : Short Break,Walking,Self Guided Teaser : Although the Sheep's Head is the smallest of the south-western peninsulas, the walk around it has been described as the finest long distance path in Ireland
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Although the Sheep's Head is the smallest of the south-western peninsulas, the walk around it has been described as the finest long distance path in Ireland. The peninsula is formed by a narrow finger of hills stretching nearly 25 miles into the Atlantic, but less than four miles wide. 

Treks begin at Bantry at the neck of the peninsula. You climb up onto the hillside heading west past the stone circle of Ahakista. Follow the south coast to the small town of Kilcrohane, then around the dramatic headland to the Sheep's Head lighthouse. The craggy coastline of the northern shore is followed east to the Horseshoe Road and up to Finn MacCool's seat. You conclude by walking the crest of the hills affording spectacular views across the whole peninsula to the mountains of Beara and beyond as you wend your way back to Bantry.

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Itineraries

Day 1

Travel to Bantry image 1 Travel to Bantry

Your first nights stay is in the bustling, colourful town of Bantry. Located at the top of Bantry Bay with views out to Whiddy Island it is a wonderful start point to any exploration of West Cork

Day 2

Bantry to Durrus

The first day contains more tarmac walking than we would typically arrange. The lanes, however, are quiet and allow you to adjust to this corner of Ireland. There are splendid views across Bantry Bay and the route meanders through farmland and forests. (19km, 360m ascent)
Accommodation – B&B in Bantry

Day 3

Durrus to Ahakista

The route heads west along the peninsula. You leave the village on an old military road pay Durrus Court and then climb up to a gap in the spine. The route then descends with fine views over Dunmanus Bay, and you will be passing Gorteanish stone circle on the way to Ahakista. (13 km, 210 m ascent)
Accommodation –B&B in Ahakista

Day 4

Ahakista to Tooreen

Walk along the old military road then cut down to the shoreline walking past the old Bardic school to Farranamanagh. Pass through the village of Kilcrohane then follow the traditional funeral route from the church to the burial ground at the ruined Kilcrohane church. The route then meanders between the shoreline across fields, along old fisherman’s paths and back to the military road. The route then leads away from the shore to follow the course of the old road over the last hill of the peninsula, Ballyroon Mountain, 232 m, where there are ruins of an old signal tower built in 1632. (19 km, 430 m ascent)

Day 5

Tooreen to Finn MacCool’s Seat

The route today hugs the shoreline and provides the finest coastal scenery of the whole walk. You begin by walking out to the lighthouse on the westernmost point of the peninsula before turning east to follow a cliff path along the northern shore. A choice of routes then gives an opportunity to follow a cliff path up to the old Gortavallig copper mine. You continue with good views across Bantry Bay along the Horseshoe Road to Finn MacCool’s seat. (18 km, 370 m ascent)

Day 6

MacCool’s Seat to Glanlough

The route today follows the main spine of the peninsula reaching the highest point of the walk, Gouladane, 310 m. From the ridge, there are excellent views to the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse in the south around the Kerry Mountains to the north. (11 km, 420 m ascent)
Accommodation – B&B in Glanlough

Day 7

Glanlough to Bantry

The trail again heads over the spine of the peninsula with fine views over Bantry Bay. The way finally descends as you follow a mixture of tracks and lanes back to Bantry House and town. (15 km, 250 m ascent)
Accommodation – B&B in Bantry

* 7 nights accommodation ( country homes provide accommodation in Bantry and two guesthouses are the base for four nights on the peninsula) 
* All breakfasts
* Luggage transfer between your accommodation stops
* Full route details with a map of the tour

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2024 TOUR PRICE
€905 per person sharing
+€30 per person high season supplement (July & August)

€285 single room supplement (if travelling with others)
€425 solo tour supplement (if travelling alone)

Self Guided Tour Information

Tour can start any day from April until October.

Travel details coming soon!

Bantry

In Bantry town we aim to stay in the very well located Doire Liath B&B http://www.bantrybedandbreakfasts.com/

Ahakista

For the next few nights we hope to stay in Reenmore B&B, the ipitome of the best farmhouse accommodation. A stunning location with a warm welcome guaranteed!

Glanlough

Our guesthouse here is the beautiful Seamount Farm B&B

Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available

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We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Acommodation

For single travellers, we organise accommodation on a twin sharing basis. Please note it may not be possible on all our tours and a single supplement will be applied.

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Other Information

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Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €250.00 deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The Balance payment is required two month prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The balancing payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.