Cycling the Mizen peninsula

Tigerandahalf

Has anyone cycled this? Are the roads in good condition? Are there any must sees, nice diversions or places to avoid?

Thanks

OldBean

I've driven it a few times. Roads are ok-ish - Quite tight in parts. The bigger issue is poor driving, from locals going to fast to tourists on the wrong side of the road.

There's a great spot for food in BallyLickey called Mannings Emporium, if you're coming from that side. The view over Barleycove is beautiful.

Tigerandahalf

Is a full loop around 120km?

outfox

The road along the N side of the peninsula gives stunning scenery. It turns off the regional road between Durrus and Toormore, and takes you out to Barleycove. It's a boreen, but fine. The West Cork 200 follows it, and most riders were on 23 or 25 mm. If you're feeling energetic, you can also head out the next peninsula (Sheeps Head) from Durrus, out to Kilcrohane and back towards Bantry on the Goats Path. 23/25 mm also OK on this road.
Good coffee stop in Durrus.

2 Wheels Good

Have cycled from Skibbereen to Mizen, and from Bantry to Schull via Durrus. Those roads are fairly ok, but get steadily narrower and bumpier the closer you get to the Mizen.

Tigerandahalf

Cheers for replies.
How much of the route is coastland with sea views?
I see from maps that roads tend to stop at Crookhaven and go inland rather than hug the coast. I presume there must be inacessible sea cliffs along parts.

Juan More Time

As you leave Durrus on the R591/ Mizen head road, there are some excellent views of the coast. After this the road turns inland until you leave Toormore. You should take a short detour and check out Ballyrisode beach(turn left after the Oska store) before heading on towards Goleen, Crookhaven and the wonderful Barleycove beach. And finally on to Mizen head signal station visitor centre..

If you have any energy left, then you could always take the lumpy R592 from Goleen to Schull and even on to Ballydehob.

outfox

Juan More Time wrote: »

As you leave Durrus on the R591/ Mizen head road, there are some excellent views of the coast. After this the road turns inland until you leave Toormore.

If you turn off to the right about 2/3 of the way between Durrus and Toormore, a boreen runs along the cost to take you to Barleycove. If you go this road, you get to do a loop of the peninsula. Mizen itself is at the end of a road beyond Barleycove, so it's a few km out and back.

on_the_nickel

I did the south side from Mizen to Baltimore recently. The roads are fine, by Irish standards. You have to try Mount Gabriel from Schull, it's a tough basard, especially if the wind isn't playing ball. But beautiful on a clear day. Barleycove is gorgeous too.

A few years back I went over Mount Gabriel from the south with a view to going along the north side to meet the rest of the family at Barleycove, but got 3 punctures and eventually got picked up by a couple in their 70s or 80s going to Goleen for their wedding anniversary. The husband was a cyclist, still got on his bike most days, and when he stopped for me, he told his wife to get in the back seat beside my bike. He was nuts, in a good way. I spent a lot of the journey laughing at him while closing my eyes as he wasn't the best driver in the world, god bless him.

Mattie500

Stayed on Sheep's head last year and did a tour of both peninsulas. It was spectacular (going again this year). On Sheep's head... Durrus to Bantry and then take the Goat's path (a few lovely hills) to Kilcrohane (you can then go right to the head.... Lighthouse is a trek from the end of the road but is worth it). Kilcrohane to Durus is flat and there is a nice spot in Ahakista for a break. Most of the Sheep's head has a sea view.

Pinch Flat

Did bantry to mizen head then returned back to kenmare over the caha pass - it's about 120km from memory. Lovely country side and views - the caha pass is particularly nice with a lively descent into kenmare

Tigerandahalf

Would it best to do the loop clockwise or anti. Would the wind be a factor?
I was thinking of leaving Skibbereen and onto Schull, Toormore and then Crookhaven. Can I then go along the coast via Lyroe to Barleycove, onto Mizen and hug the coast all the way back the other side of the peninsula. Looking at google maps it seems there is no coast road after Mizen.

Pinch Flat

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Would it best to do the loop clockwise or anti. Would the wind be a factor?
I was thinking of leaving Skibbereen and onto Schull, Toormore and then Crookhaven. Can I then go along the coast via Lyroe to Barleycove, onto Mizen and hug the coast all the way back the other side of the peninsula. Looking at google maps it seems there is no coast road after Mizen.

Here's my route - it's one road out to Mizen, but you could go ballydehob / schull out to mizen, the back track back towards Bantry

https://www.strava.com/activities/191109781

REBELSAFC

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Would it best to do the loop clockwise or anti. Would the wind be a factor?
I was thinking of leaving Skibbereen and onto Schull, Toormore and then Crookhaven. Can I then go along the coast via Lyroe to Barleycove, onto Mizen and hug the coast all the way back the other side of the peninsula. Looking at google maps it seems there is no coast road after Mizen.

If you're looking for the best "warm up" cycles around Skibbereen try these two loops out.Both are about 25-30 km and start from the same point (the roundabout outside Lidl). Great scenery and hilly without being savage (apart from a short hill just past Lough Hyne).