Walk & Hike

Walk with us a while and choose from leisurely walks, adventurous hikes,

or marked paths amidst breath-taking scenery

Bantry is the perfect destination for walking and hiking enthusiasts. We have everything from routes for a casual stroll with the family to adventurous hikes that may take a day or two to complete, plus everything in between. Bantry is also host to a popular Walking Festival on the June Bank Holiday weekend every year, a great event for everyone to particpate in with some fantastic guided routes.

Bantry’s location at the heart of West Cork makes it an ideal base to explore renowned walking routes in the surrounding area. Our town offers all the facilities a walker might require; accommodation for all budgets, mapped walking trails, spectacular scenery, plenty of dining options, shops selling outdoor clothing, footwear, maps and guidebooks. The Bantry Tourist Office, located on Wolfe Tone Square, can also direct walkers on the best routes and provide walk/hike maps.

Heritage Loop Walks in Bantry

Bantry has a wealth of heritage, natural and built, from sea, woodlands and mountains, to Bantry House, the Kilnaruane Pillar stone and the story of Wolfe Tone. The Heritage Loop Walks featured below were set up by the Bantry Tidy Towns group and aim to take walkers on a tour of many of the heritage points of interests in and around our town.

The walks vary from 2.5m to 5km plus, but they can be linked together to form a walk of more than 20km. The walks are complemented by a series of interpretative boards erected by Bantry Development & Tourism Association, Fáilte Ireland and Cork County Council around the town.

Select a Heritage Loop Walk to find out more

Abbey & Rope Walk Loop

Beicín Loop Walk

Knocknaveagh & Vaughan’s Pass

Donemark Loop

Lady's Well & Airstrip Loop

Gougane Barra

Adventurous Hikes in Bantry

For those seeking a bit more of a hike and adventurous terrain, Bantry is surrounded by fantastic routes which can take a day or more to compete. Spectacular scenery abounds and you will appreciate the Wild Atlantic Way from new heights. Some routes are well established with maps and way-markings along the trail. Make sure to visit Bantry Tourist Office for local maps and route information.

Select a hike to find out more

The Sheep's Head Way

The Beara Way

The Beara-Breifne Way

Bantry Walking Festival

Why not join us for the Bantry Walking Festival every June Bank Holiday Weekend? Enjoy organised guided walks over a range of walking and hiking routes.

Find Out More

Walking Maps

You will find Heritage Loop Walk Maps and other local walking maps from the Bantry Tourist Office, located on Wolfe Tone Square.

Alternatively you can download a Heritage Loop Walk PDF map here.

Walking Safety

For safe enjoyable walking in Bantry, plan your walk in advance and consider the weather forecast, daylight hours and your food/water. For longer walks especially hillwalking on higher ground, let someone know your route, have the right gear and know your limits. We also advise seeking local knowledge. The weather and visibility change quickly at higher ground and walkers can easily become disorientated.

Walking Guidelines

Do no harm. Be considerate of wildlife, local landowners and their livestock. Follow marked way routes. Wherever possible use gates and stiles not walls. Leave open gates open, keep closed gates closed.

Take all rubbish with you and leave only footprints. This is a beautiful part of West Cork, let’s all help to keep it this way.