Download North Engine Loop map

Walk Details

  • Starting point: Allihies Copper Mine Museum, Allihies, Co Cork
  • Difficulty:  Moderate/Some Experience
  • Length: 7 Kilometres
  • Time: 2hrs –3hrs
  • Terrain  Type: Minor roads, coastline, hillside tracks.
  • High/Ascent:  160m/200m
  • Grid Reference: OS Sheet 84, V586 448
  • Waymarker Colour: Green

   Directions:

A-B. Leaving the trailhead at the Heritage Centre, follow the green (and blue and purple) arrows downhill through the village. The blue and purple arrows are for longer loops. After 200m pass a crossroads and 500m later reach a 4-way junction where you turn right onto the ‘beach road’. Note that you have now joined the long-distance Beara Way waymarked with yellow arrows. Follow this road for 600m past the beach and public toilets and join a sandy roadway which takes you across a stile and onto the coastline.

B-C. Follow the green (blue, purple and yellow) arrows as the loop takes you along the stunning coastline for 2km. Joining a surfaced road cross straight over and follow this road for 300m to reach a stile where you turn left. Follow the green arrows as the loop takes you by farm buildings and uphill to the disused Mountain Mine area. Joining a surfaced road, turn right and travel downhil for 200m to reach a narrow track on your right. You turn right here – following the green (and yellow) arrow.

C-A. Continue to follow the track downhill for 500m to reach the edge of the village. Enjoy the last 1km back to the trailhead through this picturesque fishing village.

  Features:

This walk takes you past Ballydonegan Strand and Quay to follow beautiful coastline before turning inland to head uphill through an area dotted with disused mine sites. It follows minor roads, coastline and hillside tracks with some great coastal scenery.

  • Never walk alone, tell people where you are going and when you’ll return.

  • Familiarize yourself as much as possible with the route in advance, bring an appropriate map with you, contact the Allihies Copper Mine Museum to get advice on the routes.

  • Always follow the correct way marker signs when on your route.

  • Come prepared, wear comfortable durable hiking boots or shoes,  a backpack  with rain gear , torch, blanket, socks, sufficient food, plenty of water or fluids , and an extra power-bank for your mobile phone.

  • Please consider the environment, don’t leave any rubbish lying around, leave as you found!

  • If there is an emergency please call 999 or 112, check the weather forecast before you plan your hike.