Family Walks Cork City to West Cork
There are many family friendly walks in Cork City and County. This blog gives details of a variety of Cork City and West Cork walks.
1 Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway Walk, Cork
From Cork take the R611 to Carrigaline and Crosshaven. A5km greenway along the banks of the Owenabue River links Carrigaline with the smaller coastal village of Crosshaven. The route is entirely off road so you don’t have to worry about traffic. It is also a designated cycle path so if the walk is a little long for younger children you can bring their bikes. You’ll see some beautiful scenery along the river with parking and picnic tables along the route.

2. Cork City
The grounds of UCC are a wonderful place for a short family walk, especially during the summer months when most students are away. The university quadrangle is a particularly lovely area to walk around. As most of it is on the flat, it is buggy friendly too! The Lough has been a traditional place for walks in Cork city for generations, as the wild birds take little notice of those on the loop walk. There are many other city walks detailed in our Cork city walks.

3 Ballincollig Gunpowder Trails, Cork
To the west of Cork City is the suburban town of Ballincollig with the river Lee to the. northern side of the old village. Between the two is the Regional Park which stretches for 3km and its great Gunpowder Mills Trails. Some of these are on tarred surfaces and are very easy while others veer off on woodland tracks which take you right by the river and past some off the dramatic old Mill buildings. There’s a wetland trail and an ancient canal which was used to transport gunpowder ingredients and you may see lots of wildlife. There are carparks at either end and the one at the western end has a skate park and an old windmill. There are also basketball courts and a playground.
4. Old Head of Kinsale Loop, Cork.

Take the coast road from Kinsale to Timoleague or the N 71 to Bandon and then the R602 to Timoleague. Park by the old Abbey Ruins. Toilets and picnic tables here overlook the bay. A 5km flat walking route takes you along the inlet from Timoleague to the village of Courtmacsherry. A flat walk suited to children, bikes, buggies and wheelchairs passes waterfowl in the river and swans in the sea. There are many more challenging walks in the Seven Heads area.
5 Castlefreke, Clonakilty, Co Cork
Castlefreke near Clonakilty in West Cork and the village of Rathbarry has a variety of walks. The ruined Rathbarry Castle was built in the 15th Century by Randal óg Barry and has a carpark. The nearby church and graveyard are worth a look. The Woodlands has over 113 hectares with a mixture of broadleaf and coniferous trees. There is an area of cleared land sweeping down to the dunes at Long Strand. It is said that these dunes were formed as a result of a tsunami in 1743! The 4 way marked ways are signed at the carpark

1 Lord Carbery Cross trail – passes a 30 Ft Cross
2 Castle Cross Trail – a linear walk guided to families and buggies
3 Lake Walk – a linear walk though a woodland
4 Loop Walk – takes in the wet woodland as it trails a river and passes close to Rathbarry village
6. Gaortha Walk, Macroom, Cork.
The Gaortha (Gaorthaid Thiar) is on the R584 from Macroom to Inchigeelagh, on the way to Gougane Barra. There is parking for a few cars or on the other side of the flooded valley at … This linear walk on an ancient road which joined Macroom to

Dunmanway for centuries is an easy walk but not suited to buggies or wheelchairs. There is abundant wildlife, a bird hide and the route overlooks an ancient river valley with tree stumps protruding from the water. Watch out for water buffalo who may wander down river from the buffalo farm upriver at Toonsbridge.

7. Gougane Barra Forest, Lee Valley, Cork
Gougane Barra is off the R584 Inchigeelagh to Bantry road just beyond Ballingeary. This stunning valley is the source of the River Lee and one of the most beautiful places in Ireland. On a lake, surrounded by high hills is an ancient monastic site and St Finbarr’s Oratory, a tiny Catholic church very popular for small weddings. The nearby graveyard is the final resting place of the Tailor and Ansty and the nearby Cafe serves great home made food.
There are toilets and the entry to a coniferous forest with 5 walking trails for different levels of fitness. It’s a great area for family picnics with tables and parking throughout the forest loop drive. It’s suitable for wheelchair users and buggies.
8. Glengarriff Nature Reserve, Beara Peninsula, West Cork.
Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve is 1 km before the village on the N71 to Kenmare. The name Gleann Garbh translates to the rough glen, and comprises woodland in a sheltered valley with a river running down to the sea. This is one of the best examples of oak woodland in Ireland and at over 300 hectares is second in size only to Killarney Woods.
Entry is through large stone gates build by the Lord Bantry estate, through a rhododendron and hydrangea avenue into the carpark. There are five loop walks of different lengths, with maps at the carpark.

1 River Walk – a short 1km walk by the Canrooska river. Starts over the footbridge, but as this is a gravel path it’s not easy for a buggy or wheelchair.
2 Lady Bantry Lookout- a 1km walk though steep woods to the top where there are panoramic views offer Bantry Bay and Whiddy Island.
3 Esknamucky – This steep 2.5km walk up steps through the woods can be combined with the Waterfall Walk
4 Bog Meadows – over 3km route mostly level along footpaths and woodland stone tracks. This meadow has never been fertilised or ploughed so it’s an interesting ecosystem .
5 Waterfall Walk -This is a short walk along a gentle slope to a waterfall which is very impressive after rain.

9. Bantry Heritage Loop Walks, Bantry, Co Cork.
Bantry in West Cork sits at the head of a beautiful bay and has a large central square with lots of parking, except on Friday am when the weekly market takes place. There are many walks, mostly on roads or pavement, varying from 2.5m to 5km plus, but they can be linked together to form a walk of more than 20km
1 The linear flat walk runs along the sea from the square to the Abbey Cemetery, on the edge of Bantry Bay and is suited to buggies and wheelchairs. Bantry House sits above this walk overlooking the bay.
2 Abbey and Rope Walk – This 4km walk starts at the Square and takes the same route as first walk but continues on a loop route. Pass the Abbey, up the hill along the main road and turn left at the Westlodge Hotel. This takes you along a Rope walk, which has no footpath on it. The road is behind Bantry House and you can take a short detour into a field on the right to the 7th century Kilnaruane Pillar stone, which features a very early depiction of a boat. Continue back into the town.
3 For the more adventurous you can strike out across the peak of Knocknaveagh, which provides stunning views over the town and bay.

10. Schull Fastnet Trails, West Cork
At the south western tip of Ireland on the Mizen Peninsula are many off road Fastnet Trails and the Sheep’s Head Peninsula also has some great off road walks. One of my favourite walks in the area is out to Three Castle Head which has stunning scenery but is not suited to young children. There is ample parking.
Another lovely walk is from Schull to Ballydehob along the old Butter Road. This is a linear route of about 5-6 km along a narrow trail between the two villages which can be walked or covered on horseback. It’s not suited to buggies or wheelchairs as it’s rough underfoot.
In Ballydehob village is a short walking trail across the 12 arch bridge which carried the narrow gauge railway to Schull until 1947. Steps up to the bridge mean it is not suited to buggies or wheelchairs. Park beside the bridge or in the playground at the main road and a path takes you around the bridge – great fun for younger children.

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