All the epic Cork spots on Rozanna Purcell’s ’26 adventure Bucket List
She’s wandered most of Ireland’s hills and valleys.
So if you’re ever in need of a tip or a recommendation on where to plan your next outdoorsy adventure, author, presenter and model Rozanna Purcell is your girl.
This week Roz, whose bestselling book series The Hike Life is a must-have for hikers of all levels, shared a brilliant list of Bucket List options for 2026, offering a selection of excellent hikes, swims, tours, island adventures and workshops to plan all over Ireland this year.
If you don’t fancy travelling too far however, you can take on Purcell’s picks of the best adventures to enjoy right here in Cork.
Here are her tips within the county bounds:
Pooleen Wood
Pooleen derives its name from the Irish ‘An Poillín’ which means a small lake or pool. This refers to the stunning pool that was carved out by the Glengarriff river, which flows through the wood.
Bring a picnic and your togs to take a dip after exploring nearby trails like Esknamucky and Lady Bantry’s Lookout. Get directions.
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Sheep’s Head Loop
Offering spectacular coastal views, farmland, and challenging terrain, Sheep’s Head Looped walks in West Cork include popular options like the Poet’s Way Loop or Lighthouse Loop showcasing dramatic cliffs and the lighthouse at the peninsula’s tip, forming part of the longer Sheep’s Head Way.
For the experienced hiker, the entire peninsula circuit is 88km and takes around four days to complete.
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Garnish Island
Tucked away in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay is a tiny island paradise so pretty it could be a movie set. Teeming with exotic plants, thanks to the warm Gulf Stream waters that surround it, it boasts a Grecian Temple, a clock tower and an Italian Tea House.
A ferry service operates every 30 minutes between March and October, leaving from the centre of Glengarriff Village. The 15-minute boat trip offers an up-close-and-personal audience with one of the country’s largest seal colonies.
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Cape Clear and Bere Island
Day trips to Cape Clear Island typically involve a ferry from Baltimore or Schull, often combined with a tour around Fastnet Rock Lighthouse, offering wildlife spotting, island exploration and plenty of memorable experiences, with options for direct Fastnet Rock trips, sunset cruises, or longer island stops for hiking, birdwatching, and local culture.
On Bere Island, a short ferry from Castletownbere, you can also check out the Bere Island Heritage Centre, explore the massive Lonehort Battery (guided tours available), and discover Bronze Age sites and Martello towers.
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Atlantic Sea Kayaking at Night
Widely recognised as one of the most magical experiences you can book in Cork, this trip onto Lough Hyne, a uniquely beautiful salt water lake and the only one of its kind in Europe, is unforgettable.
From the sparkle of bioluminescence and the sounds of seabirds coming in to roost, to the sunset and the rising moon, not forgetting the stars overhead, it’s a trip that will feed your soul.
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Random adventures
Even if you’re not the outdoorsy type, there are still plenty of interesting adventures you can experience in Cork. Roz recommends ringing the Shandon Bells in St Anne’s Church in Cork City Centre or taking a cable car across the water to Dursey Island. You can also take a stroll on the slightly spooky Three Castle Head.
The latter is named for the three ruined castles found there—Dún na Séad (Black Castle), White Castle, and Brown Castle—which date back to the 15th century and were built by the O’Mahony clan to guard the entrance to Roaringwater Bay.
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