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Take a Walking Holiday in West Cork, Ireland   by Mairead Foley

West Cork is one of Ireland's most magical regions boasting a rich history, rugged mountains, beautiful scenery, pretty coastal towns and villages and an unhurried pace of life. Add to this unspoilt sandy beaches, extensive mountain and lowland trails and you've got the perfect destination for a walking holiday. So if you're looking for somewhere to explore and to get away from the stress of urban life, look no further than West Cork.

The following are some of our recommendations for a walking tour in West Cork. You can take a tour with an established operator in the area, or explore the area for yourself on a self-guided walk. Tourist information offices and local shops in the West Cork area will provide advice and walking maps for you!

The Beara Way The Beara Peninsula incorporates a lot of the South West corner of Ireland. This is quite a long trek, about 120 miles in total, 65 of which are along country roads. But the Beara Way is probably one of the best ways to explore West Cork and its breathtaking beauty. You don't have to walk all of it though if you're doing a self guided walk, just pick sections of it. The trail begins at Glengarriff, located overlooking Bantry Bay, and ends at Kenmare on the Ring of Kerry. The Beara Way takes in peaceful country trails and boggy hilly terrain, and many walking tour operators take in the entire walking route in a week long package

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From Glengarrif you head towards Adrigole, taking in the stunning views of Bantry Bay. From here it's on to the picturesque fishing port of Castletownbere. This is the main town on the Beara Peninsula and has a full range of services. It's also still one of the largest fishing ports in Ireland.

From Castletownbere, you could take a short boat trip to Bere Island, which is populated by a sheep farming and fishing community, of approximately 200 people. After your return from the island, you follow the route from Castletownbere to Eyeries. This part of the Beara Way will bring you through the Slieve Miskish mountains with wonderful views of Coulagh Bay. This area is rich in megalithic remains, with stone forts, and tombs from the Bronze Age period of Ireland's history.

The next part of the walking tour will take you from Eyeries to Lauragh. Again you will have terrific views from the hilly terrain, and this area itself is a glaciated valley. The foliage on this part of the route is well worth checking out, taking both mountainous pine and tropical plants such as rhododendrons.

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After Lauragh you could take the route to Kenmare, along the base of the Caha Mountains, which has lovely views of Louth Inchiquin. Kenmare, the end point of the Beara Way, a town formed in the 17th Century on the banks of the Roughty River, is an interesting market town and well worth a visit. The Sheep's Head Way This walk consists mainly of hilly terrain and incorporates the Sheep's Head Peninsula and the greater Bantry area of West Cork. Starting from Bantry, it goes out to the west of Bantry Bay on the northern side as far as Sheep's Head, and back east to Bantry on the southern side along the shores of Dunmanus Bay. Villages along the route include Kilcrohane, Ahakista and Durrus. The Sheep's Head Way gives you spectacular views of Bantry and Dunmanus Bays. There are many historical and archaeological monuments along the way as well, and in keeping with the special beauty of the peninsula, only stone and oak direction posts have been used for the walking routes. Again, like the Beara Way, you could book this route from a local walking operator, or plan the route yourself!

Southern Islands walking trips

You can also take in a walk of the Southern Islands of West Cork. Starting from Baltimore Harbour, you can take a pleasant boat cruise out to Sherkin Island, with the wonderful nature sights of bird colonies and plant life to greet you. The walks on Sherkin Island are on country roads, and after Sherkin you can take a ferry out to Cape Clear Island, with stunning views of the Schull Peninsula.

Cape Clear Island has a rich and varied history of archaeology, culture, nature and wildlife. There are stunning views of Mizen Head and Fastnet Rock from here. After your trip to the islands you can take a leisurely cruise back to Baltimore and view the islands of Roaring Water Bay. Walking groups There are a number of walking groups in the West Cork area, which organise your walking holiday for you! Here's a list: Clonakilty Walking Group organise walks in and around the Clonakilty area. You can also opt for mountain climbing if you wish.

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Rosscarbery.ie operate in the Rosscarbery area of West Cork.

West Cork Walking Festival in May

West Cork Walking Holidays are such a popular attraction in the area - there's even a walking festival held here every year. The West Cork Walking Festival takes place in mid-May and gives plenty of information to the keen walker about the most popular routes to take in the West Cork area, and takes in a few routes in the area too over the weekend! The Festival takes you on guided walks around the Sheep's Head and Beara Peninsula, and you will visit the pretty villages of Allihies, Ardgroom, Bantry, Castletownbere, Dunmanway and Ballylickey.

About the Author: Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website www.GoIreland.com. Visit GoIreland for all you need to know before visiting Cork, like what to see and where to go. You can also book Cork hotels for your stay in Cork!

West Cork has long been a getaway destination spot. Located on the coast of Ireland's south-west, this scenic section of the country extends west of Cork City. Dramatic nature is at its best with rolling hills, coastline beaches and shore life, rugged and rocky trails as well as quiet pathways, country roads, and attractive villages and towns. Those who want to explore the beauty of this region of Ireland can do a little research to find great prices on travel and accommodation. They can look online and book hotels with Expedia.ie, and then experience the natural setting, trek the trails, and relax on the beaches of West Cork.

Outdoor activities are popular in this area of Ireland. People get out in the fresh sea air and climb the hills. They love the rural atmosphere. 

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Those planning a stay in West Cork can try a variety of open air fun such as horseback riding along the seashore, kayaking the jagged edges of coast; take a boat tour to watch whales and other sea life. Cycling through the countryside is another option. A family afternoon can be spent between the beach and a playground with kiddie equipment where children can swing and climb while the adults watch or join in the play. Two regions and the towns of West Cork provide a different perspective and their own share of open-air activities. The natural regions are Beara and Cape Clear. Beara is north of Bantry Bay and is a quiet place with only one port city called Castletownbere or Casteltownberehaven, while Cape Clear is an island about a forty-minute boat ride from the town of Baltimore. These regions are perfect for trekking and exploring.

Other towns of interest are such as Crosshaven and Kinsale. Crosshaven has its views of Cork Harbour offering activities like perfect sailing and coast trekking. Then, Kinsale welcomes strolls through town to view its historic buildings. This village also offers sailing and great food.

Now, walking is popular as one of the best ways to help human body regain or maintain health. West Cork provides numerous kilometres of trails across rolling hills, farmland, and rugged coastal lands. People can take walking tours through historic villages, along stretches of beach, and over hilltops. Staying in the area for more than one night will allow people time to unwind, appreciate the great outdoors, and trek different trails with camera in hand.

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