The Old Butter Road Walk

From the mapboard, follow the dark yellow arrows east towards Ballydehob. The Old Butter Road itself, a 17^th century road stretches for about 3km. Continue to follow the arrows to Ballydehob along quiet country roads. From Ballydehob – you have the option to double your efforts and return to Schull!

This walk is mostly along quiet country roads. The off-road section from (8) to (10) is private land which was previously the old Butter Road (about 3km). Please respect the landowner’s kindness and close all gates and stay on the designated paths. The walk is about 10km long and is a “moderate” walk which takes 2-3 hours depending on your pace. 

It is highly recommended that you wear a hi-viz vest for safety reasons and good footwear for comfort reasons. 

The Old Butter Road Walk route is marked with amber coloured arrows which you need to look out for. 

The walk starts at the Trailhead in Schull (12) from which you walk down the hill past the hotel, past the Garda station and finally alongside the strand (beach) until you reach a turn to the RIGHT (11) 

After leaving the main road, the road curves to the left, rising over a small hill and as it descends again you will see a stony track leading off to the left at a bend in the road. (10) 

Follow the track gently uphill and quite soon pass though a gateway into a small field. At the end of the field you will see a footbridge crossing the stream. Take care here as it can be slippery. The track now climbs steadily uphill for about 1km and when it levels out you might see an old tractor amongst the brambles. Soon after you see some farm buildings to your left but you continue STRAIGHT ON and go through a farm gate ahead. 

Continue along the track and you come to a house on the left and a cross-roads (9) where a public road crosses your route. Continue STRAIGHT ON, descending gently. The track can be a bit muddy here depending on how much farm traffic has passed along recently, but it soon starts to rise again and you emerge at a bend in the public road (8). 

Go STRAIGHT ON here and pass a side road on the left amongst farm buildings. The road soon levels off and starts to descend gently between hedges until you reach a junction (7) where a larger road crosses your route. Again go STRAIGHT ON and the road climbs for a short while and you’ll see a side road (6) going off to your right which you ignore. 

Almost immediately after the junction the road swings fairly sharply left past some old farm 

buildings and descends for about half a kilometre. Look out for a side road to the RIGHT (5) which turns back sharply and go up here for about half a kilometre to reach Stouke burial ground on your left. This is well worth a visit before you continue your way, downhill now, round a couple of tight bends, to reach a large cross-roads (4) where you need to turn sharp LEFT, almost doubling back on yourself. 

The road you are on now is heading North towards Ballydehob and can be quite busy at times. After a long sweeping bend the road straightens and you’ll see a sideroad to your right opposite an old shed. Keep going straight on and soon the road sweeps left with views out to Ballydehob bay. Now follow Greenmount Road just over 1km until you reach the cross roads where the school is located(2). Here you can turn RIGHT to bring you back to the trailhead or continue straight on to reach the village where refreshments no doubt are awaiting you in one of the many fine cafés and pubs.