West Cork: Kinsale to Mizen Head
Harbour towns, stone circles and headlands of West Cork, from Kinsale and Baltimore to Ireland’s south-western tip at Mizen Head.
- Distance
- 209 km (130 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 53 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Ireland
- Updated
- July 23, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 209 km (130 mi) with 9 stops, from Cork to Glengarriff. About 2 h 53 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Ireland
Route description
Leave Cork on the N27 and R600 to Kinsale, about 40 minutes, a harbour town with narrow streets and a strong food scene. Charles Fort is a short drive east along the harbour through Scilly, a star-shaped fort with sweeping views of the estuary. Parking in Kinsale is tight for large vehicles; the car parks on the edge of town are the easiest option.
Follow the R600 west through Timoleague and Clonakilty, then the coastal lanes towards Glandore. Drombeg Stone Circle is signposted off the R597; the lane is narrow and the car park small. Continue through Glandore and Union Hall to rejoin the N71 at Leap for Skibbereen, a market town whose heritage centre tells the story of the Great Famine, which hit the area very hard.
Baltimore is 13 km south of Skibbereen, a sailing village with a restored O’Driscoll castle. Ferries leave from the harbour for Sherkin Island and Cape Clear. The white Beacon stands on the cliffs south-west of the village. Then drive west via Ballydehob and Schull to Goleen and out to Mizen Head, where the signal station sits on a rocky tip reached by a bridge over a chasm.
Head back via Durrus to Bantry, a busy town at the head of Bantry Bay with Bantry House and its gardens above the harbour. The N71 then climbs over the hills and drops to Glengarriff, where boats cross to the gardens of Garinish Island. Many West Cork lanes are single-track; motorhomes should keep to the N71 and regional roads where possible.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Cork
Ireland - 227 km
Kinsale
Ireland - 32 km
Charles Fort
HistoryKinsale, IrelandA star-shaped fort from the late 17th century guarding Kinsale Harbour, run by the Office of Public Works. Drive or walk the coast road from Kinsale through Scilly; parking is limited for large vehicles.
- 454 km
Drombeg Stone Circle
HistoryGlandore, IrelandA stone circle, built of 17 stones of which 13 survive, on a terrace above the sea near Glandore, aligned on the midwinter sunset. Entry is free; the lane off the R597 is narrow and the car park small, so larger vans should take care.
- 516 km
Skibbereen
Ireland - 615 km
Baltimore Beacon
ViewsBaltimore, IrelandA white-painted stone beacon on the cliffs at the entrance to Baltimore Harbour, with views over to Sherkin Island. It is a short drive or a 20-minute walk from the village; the last stretch of road is narrow.
- 737 km
Mizen Head Signal Station
ViewsGoleen, IrelandA former fog signal station on a rocky tip reached by a footbridge over a chasm, at Ireland’s most south-westerly point. The visitor centre charges entry; the road from Goleen is narrow in places.
- 845 km
Bantry
Ireland - 913 km
Glengarriff
Ireland
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Cork → Charles Fort · 29 km · 0 h 24 minOn the way: Kinsale.Overnight nearby, for example: Garrettstown House Holiday Park (8 km); Motofeirme (4 km).
- Day 2: Charles Fort → Skibbereen · 70 km · 0 h 58 minOn the way: Drombeg Stone Circle.Overnight nearby, for example: Hideaway Camping & Caravan Park (1 km); The Meadow (12 km).
- Day 3: Skibbereen → Mizen Head Signal Station · 52 km · 0 h 43 minOn the way: Baltimore Beacon.Overnight nearby, for example: Goleen Harbour (9 km); Barley Cove Holiday Park (5 km).
- Day 4: Mizen Head Signal Station → Glengarriff · 58 km · 0 h 48 minOn the way: Bantry.Overnight nearby, for example: Glengarriff Caravan and Camping Park (2 km); Hungry Hill Lodge (13 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Ireland: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Barrier-free toll on the M50 around Dublin. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is West Cork: Kinsale to Mizen Head?
4-day road trip of about 209 km (130 mi) with 9 stops, from Cork to Glengarriff. About 2 h 53 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for West Cork: Kinsale to Mizen Head?
We suggest 4 days: about 2 h 53 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does West Cork: Kinsale to Mizen Head start and end?
It starts in Cork and ends in Glengarriff.
Which countries does West Cork: Kinsale to Mizen Head pass through?
Ireland.
Where can you camp along West Cork: Kinsale to Mizen Head?
OpenStreetMap lists 27 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Hideaway Camping & Caravan Park, Desert House Caravan & Camping Park and Hungry Hill Lodge.
When is the best time for West Cork: Kinsale to Mizen Head?
The most pleasant months are usually June. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
