Start off in the beautiful harbourside village of Ballycotton in wonderful East Cork. Grab a cup of coffee and plan your day along the Cork coastline. Find the trailhead beside the Mary Stanford Lifeboat and take in uninterrupted views of lush meadows meeting rugged coast and the glistening Atlantic Ocean.
Gaze out to the ocean and see ferries sail to Ballycotton Island, home to one of Ireland's only two black lighthouses. The waters around the Ballycotton Cliff Walk are popular with dolphins, so keep an eye out for pods playing in the waves.
Enjoy a 9.25km walk that takes about 3 hours to complete from Ballycotton and back again via Ballyandreen and country roads. If you want to stay by the coast for the entirety, just head back the way you came once you reach Ballandreen, this route is 7km in total.
Trail details
- Grade:
- Strenuous trail
- Format:
- Loop trail
- Length:
- 9.25km
- Enjoy a fantastic coastal walk with gorgeous views.
- See one of only two black lighthouses in Ireland.
- Watch for dolphins playing in the ocean.
- Choose from a loop walk through the countryside or return via the coastal path.
