Courtmacsherry – Wood Point – Beamish Cove, Co. Cork
As the summer is still ongoing, let’s explore a few nice areas in the western part of County Cork. The distances to go are a bit longer, but be surprised how beautiful County Cork is.
The Seven Heads Walk is well known and the walk along the cliffs is breathtaking. Seven Heads Walk has a total length of 42.5 km and can be divided into several sections. This makes it easy for those who can’t or don’t want to walk long distances.
Basically Seven Heads Walk starts in Timoleague and from here you can walk to Courtmacsherry and its wonderful beaches. Everybody knows that I’m not a big friend of tarred surfaces and walking along the street.
That’s why we started with the 2nd section.
Courtmacsherry Beach
Let’s start at the last parking area in Courtmacsherry, directly at the beach. Walk up the street towards the forest and walk through to Wood Point. It’s a quite comfortable forest path with some roots crossing. Enjoy the walk as there are stunning views along that walk.
Wood Point
After 1 km you will come out of the forest to Wood Point and now you can take a deep breath and enjoy the panorama. The path is getting more narrow, but is fine for walking. You will pass a few electric fences but there are wooden stiles provided. However, be careful here as electric shocks can hurt you.
Beamish Cove
At Beamish Cove the walk turns right up the hill, but we turned here and went back for several reasons. You can do that as well and walk back to the beach where the car is parked (<–> 5 km). Another option is to turn left at and walk up the hill, turn left and turn right short before the next left turn to walk back on the street to Ramsey Hill and further down to the car park (<–> approx. 7 km).
If the weather is fine, take the chance to swim in the bay or take a sun bath at the beach.
If it doesn’t invite to stay at the beach, don’t miss to visit the friary in Timoleague (51°38′37″ N 8°45′48″ W). You already passed it by when you came down and you have to pass it by anyway on your way back.
Directions
From Dunkettle or Kinsale Rdabout take the N40 westward and use then the N71 which brings you directly to Bandon. Follow the N71 and just before leaving Bandon, turn left onto the R602 towards Timoleague. There’s a Roundhill gas station just before you have to turn left. In Timoleague cross the bridge and turn the first left to the friary. You should now to pass the remains of the Franciscan Abbey. Take the next turn left into the R601 by crossing the next bridge and follow this road to Courtmacsherry. Go straight through the village until the end, passing by Courtmacsherry Hotel on your right. Park you car at the car park which is at:
GPS: 51°38′10″ N 8°41′48″ W
For all my readers who are dependent on public transport:
There is a bus to Timoleague, but the timetable is not really satisfying.
In this case, I highly recommend my People Walking Service.