Kilcoe Linear Walk

This 6.5km linear walk between Kilcoe and Ballydehob crosses Ballydehob’s 12-arch bridge. 

Take extreme care as you walk along side of the busy N71 for a short stretch. The walker is given options to go south and visit some of the many old piers built during the famine. Also at the eastern end look out for directions south for a medieval church and graveyard. Here the views are spectacular and there is a wonderful view of Jeremy Irons’ Castle at Kilcoe.

Take Note
🥾This walk is graded as Easy
🐕‍🦺Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.

Starting from the Trailhead (8) you should walk down beside the water and under the 12 Arch Bridge until you come to a raised pathway which crosses the water to the LEFT. Following this path brings you back under the old tramway bridge on the far side and into a car park through which you can reach the N71 main road. (7). 

Turn RIGHT now towards Skibbereen/Cork and taking due care follow the main road for about ¾ kilometre until you see a side road branch off to the RIGHT (6). 

Following the side road, after about half a kilometre you come to a side road on the left which you ignore and almost immediately, the road ahead splits at a fork in the road. Be sure to continue STRAIGHT ON ignoring the right branch. The road soon levels out now and starts to descend gently to reach a cross roads with a small forestry plantation. Here you have the option to make a worthwhile detour down to Skeaghanore Pier. (about 2km, there and back). 

From the cross roads (5) continue South East and the road gently falls and rises for about one kilometre until you pass a thatched house on your left and then a small cross roads (4) just before the delightful Bealaclare Bridge. If you take the grassy track to the right between the house and the Leamawaddra river this short optional diversion brings you down to a very quiet little pier where the river enters the sea. 

From Bealaclare Bridge, the route is east again, gently climbing to reach another cross roads after less than a kilometre. Here you have the option to make a long detour (4km there and back) down to an old Church and burial ground with splendid views over Roaringwater Bay and Kilcoe Castle. 

From the cross roads (3) continue east for a short distance and as the road starts to descend, you will see the remains of pre-famine church and a well restored burial ground. This is well worth a five minute stop to explore. 

Continuing down the hill past the remains of the boys’ school the road sweeps left and then drops sharp right down to a junction (2) just before a bridge. If you have time it’s worth crossing the bridge and taking a short walk down to Roaringwater Pier which was built to enable copper ore to be exported from the nearby mine workings AND is very photogenic! 

From the bridge the main route continues up the road along the left bank of the stream and soon you pass a boat yard on your left. Before long you will see the school and church ahead and you have reached your destination.