Scenic view over the Beara Peninsula in County Cork, Ireland, with colorful cottages, green fields, rugged mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean under a bright sky.

County Cork – Coastlines, Peninsulas, and Rolling Hills

Indented shoreline, low uplands, and farmland across Ireland’s southern coast.

County Cork is a coastal county of peninsulas, rolling hills, river valleys, and Atlantic headlands in south-west Ireland. Walking routes follow the Sheep’s Head Way and Beara Way and connect with coastal paths and regional routes, linking places such as Cork City, Kinsale, Clonakilty, Bantry, Skibbereen, and Glengarriff across farmland lanes, upland tracks, and exposed shoreline ground between the Celtic Sea and Bantry Bay.

Much of the terrain is firm and gently rolling underfoot. Minor roads, farm tracks, boreens, woodland paths, and clifftop trails allow steady progress, with regular short climbs and descents rather than sustained ascent. Surfaces are generally mixed gravel or grass, with wetter ground on upland sections after rain.

The landscape shifts between areas. The south coast around Kinsale and Clonakilty includes lower farmland and sandy bays, while the Sheep’s Head, Mizen, and Beara peninsulas extend west into the Atlantic with narrower roads, rocky headlands, and more exposed terrain. Inland, valleys and wooded hills surround Cork City and the Lee catchment.

Towns and villages are spaced along coasts and main valleys, creating regular access points for shorter walks and longer point-to-point routes, with quieter stretches across the peninsula interiors.

Trails and Routes Through County Cork

Sheep’s Head Way

Looped long-distance route around the Sheep’s Head Peninsula using minor roads, boreens, and clifftop paths with steady gradients and exposed sections.

Beara Way (eastern sections)

Long-distance trail crossing the Beara Peninsula between Glengarriff and Castletownbere with upland passes and coastal terrain.

Mizen Peninsula Routes

Waymarked local trails and headland paths around Crookhaven, Barleycove, and Mizen Head following shoreline and low hills.

Lee Valley and Cork Harbour Paths

Riverside and estuary-side walking on flatter ground around Cork City and the lower River Lee.

Walking Character

Indented coastline and long peninsulas
Low rolling hills and farmland
Minor roads and boreens
Clifftop and shoreline paths
Short, regular climbs
Settlements concentrated along coasts and valleys
Mixed inland and coastal routes

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is County Cork located?

County Cork is in south-west Ireland along the southern Atlantic and Celtic Sea coast, between Kerry to the west and Waterford to the east.

What defines walking here?

Peninsula routes, coastal headlands, and quiet rural lanes dominate, with a mix of low hills and shoreline walking.

Are there long-distance routes here?

Yes. The Sheep’s Head Way and Beara Way cross the county, with additional regional and local coastal trails.

Is the terrain steep?

Most routes are rolling rather than mountainous, with short climbs onto headlands and upland sections.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring through autumn offers longer daylight and firmer ground. Coastal sections can be windy and exposed at any time of year.