Grange Loop

Grange Loop is an easy 19.2 km / 11.9 mi circuit from Lehenagh Slip in County Cork, with 327 m / 1,073 ft of climbing and a highest point of 95 m / 310 ft. Allow about 4 and a half hours for the full walk. The route makes a broad loop through quiet coastal countryside, mixing low rolling ground with sea-facing stretches and inland lanes before returning to the slipway.

The route

Starting at Lehenagh Slip, the walk heads away from the shore on a loop that reaches south towards the coast before turning back inland and north again. The climbing is spread across the route rather than concentrated in one long ascent, which helps keep the outing within easy grade despite its length. With 301 m / 988 ft of descent over the circuit, it is a route of steady ups and downs rather than steep mountain terrain.

Terrain and difficulty

This is a longer easy walk best suited to hikers who are comfortable being on the move for several hours. The highest ground is only 95 m / 310 ft, so the challenge comes more from distance than altitude. Expect a mix of minor roads, farm-country approaches and exposed coastal sections where wind and rain can make the route feel more committing than the numbers suggest.

Getting there

Lehenagh Slip lies in the Baltimore area of West Cork. For hikers using public transport, Baltimore is linked with Skibbereen by TFI Local Link route 266, and Baltimore also appears on the wider West Cork bus network. Reaching the exact start usually requires the final approach by car, taxi or a longer walk from nearby bus stops, so it is worth planning that last section in advance.

Coastal setting

The loop sits in the landscape around Roaringwater Bay, an area of islands and indented shoreline in southwest Cork. Nearby Ringarogy is part of Carbery's Hundred Isles and is now connected to the mainland by bridge. The bay and islands are noted for marine habitats, including intertidal reef communities and a cobble and boulder shore on the northern side of Ringarogy Island, adding extra interest to the sea views along the walk.

Practical preparation

Because this is a 19.2 km / 11.9 mi outing, it is worth treating it as a full half-day walk even though the terrain is not high or technical. Carry food and water, and use HiiKER navigation for the turns on the loop, especially where quiet roads and local lanes meet. In wet or windy weather, waterproof layers are useful on the more open stretches near the coast.