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Family-Friendly Hikes in County Cork

There are 20 hikes in County Cork in our database that fit. They average 3.6 km and 79 m (259 ft) of ascent.

That is 48 percent of the 42 routes we map in County Cork. They are shorter than the local average, 3.6 km against 20.9 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 79 m (259 ft) against 459 m (1,506 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Family routes here are short, gently graded and interesting enough to keep younger legs moving. Every one is under seven kilometres with limited climbing. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area. A good share of them are loops, so you can park once and finish where you started.

Trails

Easy

Lord Carbery's Cross Trail

County Cork · Ireland

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
29 m
Typical duration
19 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Mardyke walk

County Cork · Ireland

Distance
0.7 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
16 m
Typical duration
11 min
Easy

Delish Cascade Walk

County Cork · Ireland

Distance
3.0 km
/ 1.9 mi
Elevation gain
67 m
Typical duration
44 min
  • Waterfall
Easy

Ardgroom Pulleen Loop

County Cork · Ireland

Distance
3.6 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
79 m
Typical duration
52 min
Easy

Rerrin Loop

County Cork · Ireland

Distance
6.4 km
/ 4.0 mi
Elevation gain
141 m
Typical duration
1 hr 33 min
Easy

Courtmacsherry Loop

County Cork · Ireland

Distance
5.2 km
/ 3.2 mi
Elevation gain
114 m
Typical duration
1 hr 15 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Dooneen Island Loop

County Cork · Ireland

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
20 m
Typical duration
13 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

connection to Seefin Loop

County Cork · Ireland

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
12 m
Typical duration
8 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Farranamanagh Loop Walk

County Cork · Ireland

Distance
5.5 km
/ 3.4 mi
Elevation gain
122 m
Typical duration
1 hr 20 min
Easy

Funeral path loop

County Cork · Ireland

Distance
3.4 km
/ 2.1 mi
Elevation gain
74 m
Typical duration
49 min
Easy

Glanbannoo Walk

County Cork · Ireland

Distance
5.7 km
/ 3.5 mi
Elevation gain
125 m
Typical duration
1 hr 22 min
Easy

Moyny Bridge Walk

County Cork · Ireland

Distance
3.6 km
/ 2.3 mi
Elevation gain
80 m
Typical duration
53 min

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Lord Carbery's Cross TrailCounty Cork1.3 km29 m19 minEasyApril to October
Mardyke walkCounty Cork0.7 km16 m11 minEasyApril to October
Delish Cascade WalkCounty Cork3.0 km67 m44 minEasyApril to October
Ardgroom Pulleen LoopCounty Cork3.6 km79 m52 minEasyApril to October
Eyeries - Creha Quay LoopCounty Cork4.7 km103 m1 hr 8 minEasyApril to October
Mount Hillary - Knightfield LoopCounty Cork3.2 km70 m46 minEasyApril to October
Mullaghareirk - Banane LoopCounty Cork5.3 km116 m1 hr 17 minEasyApril to October
Mullaghareirk - Brosneen LoopCounty Cork5.8 km128 m1 hr 24 minEasyApril to October
Mullaghareirk - Reanahown LoopCounty Cork6.3 km139 m1 hr 32 minEasyApril to October
Rerrin LoopCounty Cork6.4 km141 m1 hr 33 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Lord Carbery's Cross Trail, Mardyke walk, Ardgroom Pulleen Loop. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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