An area of wild and beautiful scenery, this magnificent Forest Park covers over 137 splendid hectares (339 acres). It is tucked in a lush valley at the edge of the Sheehy mountains, the ideal place to hike, get in touch with nature, picnic and inhale the fresh air. Think Canadian Rockies with its sharp crags, high pine forests and panoramic views sweeping down the lake. It is in these hills where the majestic River Lee rises, flowing to Cork Harbour approximately 89km away. Steeped in history, there is a tiny island at the edge of the lake at the entrance to the Forest Park where St. Finbarr, patron saint of Cork, founded his early Christian monastery in the 6th century. A place for all seasons, visit the park in spring when the new growth mellows the stark winter landscape, or in Summer when the sounds of birdsong on the high trails ring out in the hills.

The Sheep’s Head Way walking route forms part of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and it focuses on the famous Sheep’s Head peninsula in West Cork between Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay.

The main Sheep’s Head Way walk is about 93km long. It begins in the historic West Cork market town of Bantry. From there you can hike right to the end of the Sheep’s Head peninsula where you’ll find the Sheep’s Head lighthouse and stunning views northwards across Bantry bay to the Beara peninsula and south across Dunmanus bay to the Mizen peninsula.

If you just visiting the head I would recommend you to park all the way down at the Sheep's Head Walk - Tooreen Turning Point. You can hike down to the lighthouse form there which will take around 1h.

With stunning views over West Cork’s famed coastal scenery, the Sheep’s Head Lighthouse Loop is 4km of raw, rugged beauty. Don’t miss the chance to explore this corner of the Wild Atlantic Way. Taking two hours to complete, this loop circles the far tip of the spectacular Sheep’s Head Peninsula in County Cork.

One of my favorite overlooks is on the Lough Akeen 51°32'37.6"N 9°50'14.1"W

Slip into tranquil waters around this tree-shaded lake to swim through reflections of the towering Caha Mountains. Weave around the many rock islands in this pristine lake each with trees growing in impossibly little soil. Even climb out and explore the man-made crannog with its small and over-grown stone building.

On a calm day the lake waters act like a mirror, broken only by the occasional trout jumping, spreading ripples out across the surface. Walking into the lake you realise it is alive with tiny insects flitting above the surface, it is these the trout are leaping for and the birds which swoop low over the water returning to the heights of the trees to eat their fill before their next flight. Well-known as a fishing lake, Glanmore is one of the nicest lake swims on the Beara peninsula, set at the base of Lackabane Mountain with the trees reaching up to the sky it could be deep in the Canadian wilderness.

This is another viewpoint of the Glenmore lake there is a little boathouse you can stop at on 51°44'22.1"N 9°46'26.0"W

If you have the time you can take a ferry over to Bere Island, otherwise you can also use the drone spot I mention below, however, please be aware that this might be difficult to reach with strong winds. Catch the ferry from Castletownbere to the western part of the island. This 10km route from the pier takes around four to five hours to complete. It leads you on a series of tracks, lanes and pathways past the main landmarks of the area. Take in the stunning coastal views as you ascend the 258m hill that forms the spine of the island. It’s a gradual climb, but you will be rewarded by 360º panoramic views over Bantry Bay and the Beara and Sheep’s Head Peninsulas. Check out the striking white tower of the Ardnakinna Lighthouse. It is characterised to mariners by its distinctive two white and red flashes every 10 seconds. Follow the route downhill again until you reach the starting point at the pier.

Alternative drone spot: 51°37'24.0"N 9°55'56.3"W

Slip into tranquil waters around this tree-shaded lake to swim through reflections of the towering Caha Mountains. Weave around the many rock islands in this pristine lake each with trees growing in impossibly little soil. Even climb out and explore the man-made crannog with its small and over-grown stone building.

On a calm day the lake waters act like a mirror, broken only by the occasional trout jumping, spreading ripples out across the surface. Walking into the lake you realise it is alive with tiny insects flitting above the surface, it is these the trout are leaping for and the birds which swoop low over the water returning to the heights of the trees to eat their fill before their next flight. Well-known as a fishing lake, Glanmore is one of the nicest lake swims on the Beara peninsula, set at the base of Lackabane Mountain with the trees reaching up to the sky it could be deep in the Canadian wilderness.

My favorite viewpoint is from the road up towards the Healy Pass. There is a small pull in and you will see the rocks on the right side when driving up the hill, this is where I go this unique looking foreground.