10 Family Friendly Walks in Cork

If you are looking for things to do in County Cork with kids, try our interactive map. If your family just wants to get moving and out in the sun (hopefully), there are loads of family friendly walks in Cork that are ideal:

Near Cork city

1. UCC

The grounds of UCC are a wonderful place for a family walkexternal_link, especially during the summer months when the students are away. The university quadrangle is particularly lovely area to walk around. As most of it is on the flat, it is buggy friendly too!

2. Carrigaline-to-Crosshavenexternal_link

This 5km greenway along the banks of the Owenabue River is a wonderful way to get some exercise while enjoying some beautiful scenery. The route is entirely off road, so you and your family don’t have to worry about traffic. It is also a designated cycle path so if the walk is a little long for younger children, bring their bikes.

3. Ballincollig Gunpowder Trails

Visit this park on the banks of the River Lee and explore the area once used for the manufacture of gunpowder for the British Armed Forces. The park is comprised of canals, woodland and wetlands making it the perfect location for a family walkexternal_link if your children love wildlife.

North/East Cork

4) Ballycotton cliff walk

If your children are older and the sun is out, this cliff walk may be the one for you. This 13km walk meanders it’s way along the Cork coast. You and your family can look forward to beautiful views of Ballycotton Lighthouse and the Wild Atlantic Way. You also cross a small beach on the way, why not bring a picnic? If the whole walk seems like too much for your family, choose a section to explore.

5) The Gougane Barra Forest

This forest park is a wonderful place to spend a day with your family. Family friendly amenities like picnic areas and toilets make it easy. Pack the car with a picnic and everything you need for a day out and enjoy this wonderful amenity.

Complete with five walking trails, some of which are fully accessible to buggies and wheelchairs, everyone can join in the fun. One thing not to miss out on is St. Finbarr’s Oratory, a tiny church on a lake island.

6) Mount Hillary Loop

This 10km loop walk is a great family walk for teensexternal_link, get them out and about and away from their screens. The steepest part of the climb is at the beginning, once you are over that, the rest of the walk is on good forest paths. The view from the top across Cork and Waterford, makes the walk well worth it.

West Cork

7) Old head of Kinsale Loop

One of the most renowned locations for scenery in Ireland, the old head of Kinsale rarely disappoints. If the weather is sunny you will be wowed by cliff and ocean views, if the weather isn’t so good the moody sky and sea can be equally impressive. This 6km walk from Garretstown beach passes the Speckled Door Bar and Restaurant if you begin to feel peckish.

8) Clonakilty to Ring walk

The flat walk from Clonakilty to Ring village is a lovely coastal walk, if your

children love boats, this is the walk for you. Hugging the coast, this Cork family walkexternal_link passes three harbours where you will find a selection of small boats moored. Younger children can keep an eye out for the swans sometimes in the shallows!

9) Cape Clear Island Cnoicin’s Loop

Get away from it all by taking a day trip to Cape Clear Island where your family can enjoy a full day of walking and exploring. There are specific walking trails but this island is so scenic, choose a road and you are bound to find gorgeous scenery and ocean views. Highlights of the island include a 5,000 year old passage grave and 12th Century church ruins. The island is also a Gaeltacht area, so it is the perfect place for your children to practice their Irish!

10) Inchydoney Beach

If the weather isn’t quite up to a day on the beach, this beach is fabulous for walking. Explore the many pools for crabs and other maritime wildlife and look out for shells washed up on the shore. We hope you try some of these family walks in Cork this summer. Share your photos with us on Facebook or Instagram!

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