Capel Way Coastal Trail Island Loop
Walking Trail · Cork
Capel Way Coastal Trail Island Loop is a 2.5 km easy waymarked loop in Cork, starting near Ballymacoda.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Easy | Easy | 30 minutes |
Getting there
Starts at Picnic area at Knockadoon, 6km from Ballymacoda.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 51.88577, -7.86917
- Irish Grid reference
- X 090 703
- Ordnance Survey sheets
- Discovery Series Sheet 81
The National Trails Register's own latitude and longitude fields are empty for all 1,186 trails on it. This trailhead comes from Sport Ireland's separate Trailheads dataset, matched to this trail on its register ID.
About the trail
As part of the Capel Way Coastal Trail this is a most enjoyable walk on gravel track and minor road around the tip of the Knockadoon peninsula passing the signal tower, with stunning views of the sea cliffs, Ballycotton and Youghal Bays as well as Capel lsland.
Before you go
Please keep dogs on a lead only
- Waymarking
- Green arrow on black background
- Dogs
- Yes
Who manages it
Knockadoon Enhancement Project
Conditions and closures change. The operator is the authority on both, not this page.
Trails nearby
Measured trailhead to trailhead, in a straight line.
- Capel Way Coastal Trail Glen Loop 0 m away · 6 km trail
- Ladysbridge Loop Trail 12 km away · 5 km trail
- Ardmore Cliff Walk 12 km away · 3.9 km trail
- Castlemartyr - Mitchell's Wood Loop 13 km away · 2.4 km trail
- Ballintotis Loops - Castle Loop 16 km away · 3.7 km trail
- Ballintotis Loops - Castle Loop Cycling Trail 16 km away · 3.2 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Capel Way Coastal Trail Island Loop?
2.5 km, recorded as a loop on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. It climbs 35 m in total. Sport Ireland estimates 30 minutes.
How hard is the Capel Way Coastal Trail Island Loop?
Sport Ireland grades it Easy. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Capel Way Coastal Trail Island Loop start?
Starts at Picnic area at Knockadoon, 6km from Ballymacoda. The trailhead is at 51.88577, -7.86917 (Irish Grid X 090 703).
Can you bring a dog on the Capel Way Coastal Trail Island Loop?
Yes. The register records dogs as allowed. Much of the Irish trail network crosses working farmland, so keep a dog under close control near livestock.
Who manages the Capel Way Coastal Trail Island Loop?
Knockadoon Enhancement Project. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Cork
Trail data from the Sport Ireland National Trails Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Trailhead coordinates from the companion Trailheads dataset. Snapshot taken 2026-08-13.