Due to heavy footfall on the Lighthouse Loop, the trail surface was upgraded in 2014. The works were carried out with special attention paid to the sensitive nature of the natural environment, as this is a SAC area (Special Area of Conservation). The first two images above show the improved trail after the works, while the other images show the bad state it was in before the works.

You can read about the original proposal below, speared headed by Trish Bevan the RRO at the time.

This Section of the Sheep’s Head Way, from Bernie’s Coffee Shop on the end of the peninsula to the Light house is without doubt one of the most spectacular sections of the Sheep’s Head Way trail, perhaps the most iconic, and is one of the most important tourist attractions to the whole area.

This 2km section of trail is located within in a Special Area of Conservation, a Proposed Natural Heritage Area, and a special protection area, and therefore all works to this trail must be approved by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Cork County Council. There are a number of landowners for this section of trail, most of who are involved in the Walks Scheme. 

The 2 km section of trail is now considerably eroded due to the heavy usage, and indeed the existing ground conditions on site. The route is both rocky and boggy in sections, and a number of accidents have occurred over the last few years, where the route has become so eroded that stone is exposed, and walkers find it hard to negotiate. This has also resulted in walkers diverting from the existing route – finding other safer, drier routes themselves, which is in part eroding further trails into this important habitat.

It is proposed that for the most part, the existing route is to be used and upgraded where possible, which would have the least impact on this habitat. It is proposed to re-route some more slippery and steep sections of the trail, to allow walkers to walk on an easier gradient which would be more solid, and more robust for future walkers. The re-routes would be towards the Lighthouse end of the trail where the more difficult sections of trail occur.

Both the existing trail upgrade and re-route will require careful, low-impact construction, with detailed attention to the specification provided. Layers of spoil removed for surfacing should be deposited grass side up where possible. Imported spoil for backfilling eroded paths should be locally sourced, and contain an element of stone / chip. Quarries supplying material should be legally registered. An Ecologist has been retained, and will be available to the contractor at all times to deal with any queries that arise as the project progresses. It is proposed that there should be fortnightly site inspections by the Ecologist to ensure mitigation measures are adhered to.

The Trail construction Specification was drawn up with input from the Sheep’s Head Way Committee members (from discussions with NTO Trail Specialist Dáithi De Forge), WCDP rural Recreation Officer, the NTO, NPWS, and Lemosa Environmental – as Ecologist working on the project.

The experience of trail development in other SAC’s has been that visitor impacts are ‘confined’ to a durable surface and less evidence of surface damage within the SAC is apparent. It is clear that development of purpose-built trails provides a line of ‘least resistance’ to visitors and this is the line in which they will chose in practically all cases.