Cycling Routes

The Currabeg Cycle Loop (23 kilometres)

The Currabeg Loop starts in Kenmare and takes the N71 road towards Glengarriff. As you cross Our Lady’s Bridge, to your right you’ll see the waters of Kenmare Bay flowing towards the Atlantic Ocean. After 300 metres, take the road on the left, follow it for 1 kilometre and you’ll pass over the Sheen River with the world famous Sheen Falls Lodge hotel on your left.

It’s possible to park at the Kenmare old Cemetery, the entrance to which is on your left, back by the main gates of the hotel.

Next, take the first right after Sheen Bridge following the road for 1.5 kilometres and then make a left turn when you reach the crossroads. Continue for 1 kilometre while climbing slightly, take the next road to the right and after 2 kilometres, take the left road at the junction. You’ll soon come to a descent and after 2 more kilometres, turn left at the T-junction. You are now cycling due west with the Roughty Valley on your right and occasional views of Mangerton mountain in the distance. Take the left turn at the next T-junction keeping the estuary on your right, as you head back towards Sheen Bridge and then Kenmare – remembering to turn right when you meet the N71. All cycle routes are shown on the map.

The Sheen Valley Heritage Trail Cycle Route (20 kilometres)

The Sheen Valley Heritage Trail starts the same place as The Currabeg Loop in Kenmare. After Sheen Bridge, following the road for 1.5 kilometres and then again take the road to the right when you reach the crossroads. Follow this road southwards with the Sheen River on your right and after 9 kilometres, you’ll arrive at Bonane Heritage Park which you’ll find on your left. Bonane Heritage Park is home to a wealth of original archaeological monuments – a ring fort, stone circle and fualacht fiadh are just some of them! Leave the park and follow the road to the left for some 2 kilometres – you’ll notice a slight climb as you reach the next junction.

Take the road to the right and prepare for the first steep climb of the day. After 2 kilometres you’ll come to a T-junction. At this point the heritage trail continues to the left towards Molly Gallivan’s Visitor Centre. However you also have the option of taking the right turn and 1 kilometre cycle including a right turn at the main road, will bring you to Lorge Chocolatier. Revive your spirits and reward your taste buds in this paradise for the chocolate lover. Once refreshed, return to the heritage trail by taking the road on the left-opposite Bonane Church.

The parking facility at Bonane Church can also be used as a trail head to explore this route. Continue for 4 kilometres and you’ll arrive at an unpaved section of the road where as you continue towards the N71, you’ll see the Caha Pass with its tunnels leading into county Cork. As you reach the N71, turn right to Molly Gallivan’s Visitor’s Centre. Here you’ll enjoy good food relaxed atmosphere and an opportunity to explore traditional country living, as it was before the advent of electricity and modern conveniences. Return to Kenmare via the same route.

The Priest’s Leap Cycle Loop (60 kilometres)

The Priest’s Leap Circuit starts in Kenmare taking the N71 road towards Glengarriff. As you reach Sheen Falls Lodge hotel that on your left, follow the road for 1.5 kilometres and at the junction, make a right-hand turn and stay on this road for 8 kilometres. After crossing the Slaheny River, take the road to the right at the T-junction. You now travel southward along the Slaheny River Valley for 14 kilometres while climbing some 800 metres to the Kerry/Cork border. You then begin a 16 kilometre descent along the scenic Borlin Valley, parallel with the Coomhola River to the junction at the Coomhola Bridge. Take the signed road to the right to begin your ascent to the Priest’s Leap. A climb of 560 metres over 7 kilometres takes you to the top. Knockboy Mountain to the east, at 706 metres is the highest mountain in Cork and to the north you can see the outline of the MacGillycuddy Reeks.

Looking south you’ll see Bantry Bay and whiddy Island within it. On the 5 kilometre descent from the Priest’s Leap, you’ll pass Saint Feaghna’s Graveyard in Bonane and soon you’ll intersect with the Sheen Valley Heritage trail. At this intersection you have the option of sampling the delights of Lorge Chocolatier and the ‘olde world charm’ of Molly Gallivan’s visitors Centre by turning left, or returning to Kenmare by continuing along the road you’re on.

On the return route to Kenmare you’ll pass Bonane Heritage Park and, a further 9 kilometres takes you to a crossroads, where you turn left and follow the road for 2 kilometres and then turn left again – passing by Sheen Falls Lodge hotel as you complete your return journey to Kenmare. Bonane Church with its convenient car-parking area, may also be used as a trail head for this route.