Beara Way

Introduction
West Cork Ireland
The Beara Way is a long distance walking route of 196 km (120 miles) circumnavigating the Beara Peninsula in the southwest of Ireland. Beara is a quieter than its northern neighbour, the Kerry Way, but is equally beautiful and offers superb walking.

Hiking is through low rounded hills, walking old bog roads, exploring abandoned copper mines. It is a largely undiscovered area, hilly but not mountainous, with some good open hill-walking sections. The rocky coastline of the Beara Peninsula is a walking holiday dream.

The Beara Way follows old green roads, boggy mountain trails and country roads. It is a very well marked route, signposted with numbered wooden or plastic yellow markers and road signs.
This tour consists of 25% quiet country road walking.

Tour Highlights
- Total immersion in the Beara peninsula.
- Kenmare; a triangle of story and history, wrapped in color and craft.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive tour so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
 You will be staying in comfortable guesthouses and farmhouses. Rooms are as much as possible en-suite. However B&B’s do still have rooms that are not en-suite but should have a bathroom adjacent to the room. We will book these rooms when there are no en-suites available. This happens regularly in the high season.

We do try to make your accommodation convenient to each day’s walk. The walking distances for each day as specified in your tour itinerary may vary, depending where you are staying, as your accommodation may not be in the centre of the village. This will be referred to in your route notes and may add 2-3 km to your walk. Please check this before you walk!

While we have reserved your accommodation, it is a good idea to telephone your hosts with the approximate time of your arrival. Some accommodations will offer you tea or coffee on arrival – if they don’t please do ask if you would like some. You will find that hosts are very approachable and sometimes you just need to ask for what you want.

You must show your accommodation list to your host each day on your arrival. Your luggage will be transferred for you each day by the guesthouse owners or taxi.

Accommodation Itinerary for the 12-day tour - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Accommodation in Kenmare
Night 2: Accommodation in Glengarriff
Night 3: Accommodation in Adrigole
Night 4 & 5: Accommodation in Castletownbere
Night 6 & 7: Accommodation in Allihies
Night 8: Accommodation in Eyeries
Night 9: Accommodation in Ardgroom
Night 10: Accommodation in Lauragh
Night 11: Accommodation in Kenmare

Accommodation Itinerary for the 10-day tour - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Accommodation in Glengarriff
Night 2: Accommodation in Adrigole
Night 3 & 4: Accommodation in Castletownbere
Night 5 & 6: Accommodation in Allihies
Night 7: Accommodation in Eyeries
Night 8: Accommodation in Lauragh
Night 9: Accommodation in Kenmare

Accommodation Itinerary for the 8-day tour - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Accommodation in Glengarriff
Night 2: Accommodation in Adrigole
Night 3 & 4: Accommodation in Castletownbere
Night 5: Accommodation in Eyeries
Night 6: Accommodation in Lauragh
Night 8: Accommodation in Kenmare

Accommodation Itinerary for the 5-day tour - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 Accommodation in Castletownbere
Night 2: Accommodation in Allihies
Night 3: Accommodation in Eyeries
Night 4: Accommodation in Ardgroom

Room Occupancy
If you are travelling alone, you will be booked into a single room in your accommodations. This is often a room for two persons that you will have to yourself, which means a single supplement fee needs to be applied.
Please, note that a single traveller also incurs the full luggage transfer fee, which is normally divided between two people.
It is a good idea to contact your hosts and let them know what time you expect to arrive – they tend to be more concerned about walkers hiking alone.


Meals
Only breakfasts are included in your package.

Ireland is renowned for its “Full Irish Breakfast” which consists of bacon, sausages, fried egg and toast. Cereals or a lighter option might be available if you ask. Some walkers find the “full Irish” too much every morning. You can agree with your host on your arrival what time you want breakfast – this is usually between 8.00 and 9.00am.

You can enjoy evening meals in the guesthouses in some locations (for an extra fee), but the hosts need to be notified beforehand. If you choose to eat with your hosts in their home, please ring them the previous evening, or the morning before you arrive to book a meal. They may have to travel some distance to get supplies! Please ask your hosts for any advice in relation to the best places to eat if you wish to eat out and where to find traditional entertainment.

In the early or late season, local restaurants may be closed or pubs may not be serving evening meals. Your hosts will assist you with alternative arrangements if you are walking in the off-season.

Lunches such as sandwiches or filled rolls are often available in local shops or supermarkets, and many also have hot food counters. Look for names such as Centra, Londis, Statoil, Spar, or check in petrol stations. Please note that it is advisable to carry lunch with you unless told otherwise in the route notes.

Do tell your hosts when you arrive if you would like them to provide a packed lunch for the next day (extra fee applies).

Riding

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: 12-day tour - subject to changes

Note: It is also possible to sign up for a shorter tour (10 days, 8 days or 5 days).

Day 1: Travel to Kenmare via Killarney
Make your own way to Kenmare. Overnight in this lovely town on the Roughty River and the head of Kenmare Bay – the name translates as Ceann Mara, the Head of the Sea. All services are available in Kenmare.
Overnight in Kenmare
Meals Included: none

Day 2: Walk from Kenmare town to Glengarriff
The ascent between Esk and Barraboy Mountain crosses the border between counties Cork & Kerry and opens a vista of Bantry Bay. Walk to Dromahassig Waterfall, through the glen of the Baureagh River before climbing to the pass. Descend to the Nature Reserve of natural forest that makes Glengarriff the “rough glen”.
Walking Distance 19 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 350 m 
Overnight in Glengarriff
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Glengarriff to Adrigole
Walk through the Glengarriff woods and Glenlough Mountains, following old tracks alongside Coomarkane River, climbing the flank of the Sugarloaf, skirting mountain lakes to descend from Mass Mount and the Holy Well.
Tonight’s evening meal will be in your guesthouse.
Walking Distance 16 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 510 m 
Overnight near Adrigole
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Adrigole to Castletownbere
Wonderful views over Bantry Bay and a series of pre-historic sites close to the route. Cross the rugged slopes of Hungry Hill by bog roads, farm tracks and minor roads. Castletownbere, nestled in the lee of Bere Haven Harbour and sheltered by Bere Island, is the principal town of the peninsula and the largest whitefish port in Ireland. It offers a full range of services.
Walking Distance 22 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 550 m 
Overnight in Castletownbere
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Free Day in Castletownbere
Visit Bere Island with a resident community of 210 people. Walk through open sheep farming country, visiting Ardnakinna Lighthouse and a Martello Tower. Or on the mainland, visit Dunboy Castle home to O’Sullivan clan who ruled the area for three centuries. Puxley mansion was a 19th century family home of the Puxley’s, who mined copper in the area. Bicycles are for available hire in Castletownbere for more exploration.
Walking Distance 8 or 24 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 250 m 
Overnight in Castletownbere
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Castletownbere to Allihies
Walk through the Slieve Miskish Mountains. Some of today’s route passes through conifer forests, about the only alternative on poor bogland to turf cutting or sheep farming. The Way crosses open hill terrain and is under the peak of Knockgour at 481m. You will pass a ringfort – an ancient farm enclosure, which would have served as a home for people and animals. Allihies is a colourful coastal village, surrounded by the remains of copper mines – crushed stones from the mines formed the beach.
Walking Distance 16 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 220 m 
Overnight in Allihies
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Transfer to Dursey and return to Allihies
The remote southwest is a beautiful, desolate part of the peninsula. The Dursey cable car is the only one of its type in Ireland. It was constructed in the 1973 and crosses a 200m strait approximately 25m above sea level. 
Your hosts will transfer you to the cable car station to walk back to Allihies. You will see deserted farming villages and superb cliff scenery, following the coastline out to Allihies Point and along the wonderful coastline at Dangan Rocks.
You may also wish to take a day exploring the Allihies area and Copper Mines or visit the Allihies Copper Mining Museum to understand the influence this industry had on the area.
Walking Distance 8 or 17 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 200 m 
Overnight in Allihies
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: From Allihies via the coast at Coulagh Bay to Eyeries
Mining tracks link Allihies with Eyeries and the views are to the north of Coulagh Bay and the mouth of the Kenmare River. The coastal route takes you past coastguard ruins and rocky shorelines to the Ballycrovane Standing stone – 4.7m and quite a sight!
Walking Distance 20 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 500 m 
Overnight in Eyeries
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9: Eyeries to Ardgroom
Venturing inland, the route takes you past Lough Fadda above Ardgroom Harbour and the beautiful isolated coast of Cleanderry & Bird Point. If you have time, the Pulleen Sea caves are worth a visit.
Walking Distance 14 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 240 m 
Overnight in Ardgroom
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10: Ardgroom to Lauragh
A line of prehistoric monuments accompanies you today! At Killmackillogue Harbour and Lauragh visit Dereen House & Gardens, more than 60 acres of sub tropical garden and woodland with wonderful views.
Dinner tonight is in your guesthouse.
Walking Distance 14 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 140 m 
Overnight in Lauragh
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11: Lauragh to Kenmare
Climb to a saddle at 150m between the hills of Knockatee and Knockanoughanish and then higher through open hillside. Superb views of the Cloonee Lakes descending to Lough Inchiquin and a stone circle from the Neolithic era 3500 – 2000 B.C. Climb the Inchiquin valley, past isolated farmhouses and onto a saddle at 370m.
Walking Distance 24 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 470 m 
Overnight in Kenmare
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12: Departure
Scheduled bus services from Kenmare to Killarney or Cork for onward connections.
Meals Included: Breakfast

-------------------------------------

Sample Itinerary: 10-day tour - subject to changes

Day 1: Travel to Glengarriff
Make your own way to Glengarriff, on the beautiful Bantry Bay. “Glengarriff” means the “rugged glen”, and is now a wooded and attractive valley. You may wish to visit Garinish Island, a planted sub-tropical garden about 10 minutes off the coast by ferry, famous for its Italian Garden and ancient sun temple.
Overnight in Glengarriff
Meals Included: none

Day 2: Glengarriff to Adrigole
Walk through the Glengarriff woods and Glenlough Mountains, following old tracks alongside Coomarkane River, climbing the flank of the Sugarloaf, skirting mountain lakes to descend from Mass Mount and the Holy Well.
Tonight’s evening meal will be in your guesthouse.
Walking Distance 16 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 510 m 
Overnight near Adrigole
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Adrigole to Castletownbere
Wonderful views over Bantry Bay and a series of pre-historic sites close to the route. Cross the rugged slopes of Hungry Hill by bog roads, farm tracks and minor roads. Castletownbere, nestled in the lee of Bere Haven Harbour and sheltered by Bere Island, is the principal town of the peninsula and the largest whitefish port in Ireland. It offers a full range of services.
Walking Distance 22 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 550 m 
Overnight in Castletownbere
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Free Day in Castletownbere
Visit Bere Island with a resident community of 210 people. Walk through open sheep farming country, visiting Ardnakinna Lighthouse and a Martello Tower. Or on the mainland, visit Dunboy Castle home to O’Sullivan clan who ruled the area for three centuries. Puxley mansion was a 19th century family home of the Puxley’s, who mined copper in the area. Bicycles are for available hire in Castletownbere for more exploration.
Walking Distance 8 or 24 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 250 m 
Overnight in Castletownbere
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Castletownbere to Allihies
Walk through the Slieve Miskish Mountains. Some of today’s route passes through conifer forests, about the only alternative on poor bogland to turf cutting or sheep farming. The Way crosses open hill terrain and is under the peak of Knockgour at 481m. You will pass a ringfort – an ancient farm enclosure, which would have served as a home for people and animals. Allihies is a colourful coastal village, surrounded by the remains of copper mines – crushed stones from the mines formed the beach.
Walking Distance 16 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 220 m 
Overnight in Allihies
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Transfer to Dursey and return to Allihies
The remote southwest is a beautiful, desolate part of the peninsula. The Dursey cable car is the only one of its type in Ireland. It was constructed in the 1973 and crosses a 200m strait approximately 25m above sea level. 
Your hosts will transfer you to the cable car station to walk back to Allihies. You will see deserted farming villages and superb cliff scenery, following the coastline out to Allihies Point and along the wonderful coastline at Dangan Rocks.
You may also wish to take a day exploring the Allihies area and Copper Mines or visit the Allihies Copper Mining Museum to understand the influence this industry had on the area.
Walking Distance 8 or 17 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 200 m 
Overnight in Allihies
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: From Allihies via the coast at Coulagh Bay to Eyeries
Mining tracks link Allihies with Eyeries and the views are to the north of Coulagh Bay and the mouth of the Kenmare River. The coastal route takes you past coastguard ruins and rocky shorelines to the Ballycrovane Standing stone – 4.7m and quite a sight!
Walking Distance 20 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 500 m 
Overnight in Eyeries
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Eyeries to Lauragh
Climb the slopes of Gortbrack hill over the stunning Cleanderry Harbour to the pretty village of Ardgroom. Under the striated glaciated face of Tooreenamna and Coomacloghane there are no less than ten prehistoric monuments. The Owenashagh River meets Killmackillogue Harbour at Lauragh – a glorious sub tropical setting of rhododendron and Scot’s Pine. Dereen House & Gardens are well worth a visit.
Walking Distance 22 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 300 m 
Overnight in Lauragh
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9: Lauragh to Kenmare
Climb to a saddle at 150m between the hills of Knockatee and Knockanoughanish and then higher through open hillside. Superb views of the Cloonee Lakes descending to Lough Inchiquin and a stone circle from the Neolithic era 3500 – 2000 B.C. Climb the Inchiquin valley, past isolated farmhouses and onto a saddle at 370m.
Walking Distance 24 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 470 m 
Overnight in Kenmare
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10: Departure
Scheduled bus services from Kenmare to Killarney or Cork for onward connections.
Meals Included: Breakfast

-------------------------------------

Sample Itinerary: 8-day tour - subject to changes

Day 1: Travel to Glengarriff
Make your own way to Glengarriff, on the beautiful Bantry Bay. “Glengarriff” means the “rugged glen”, and is now a wooded and attractive valley. You may wish to visit Garinish Island, a planted sub-tropical garden about 10 minutes off the coast by ferry, famous for its Italian Garden and ancient sun temple.
Overnight in Glengarriff
Meals Included: none

Day 2: Glengarriff to Adrigole
Walk through the Glengarriff woods and Glenlough Mountains, following old tracks alongside Coomarkane River, climbing the flank of the Sugarloaf, skirting mountain lakes to descend from Mass Mount and the Holy Well.
Tonight’s evening meal will be in your guesthouse.
Walking Distance 16 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 510 m 
Overnight near Adrigole
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Adrigole to Castletownbere
Wonderful views over Bantry Bay and a series of pre-historic sites close to the route. Cross the rugged slopes of Hungry Hill by bog roads, farm tracks and minor roads. Castletownbere, nestled in the lee of Bere Haven Harbour and sheltered by Bere Island, is the principal town of the peninsula and the largest whitefish port in Ireland. It offers a full range of services.
Walking Distance 22 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 550 m 
Overnight in Castletownbere
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Free Day in Castletownbere
Visit Bere Island with a resident community of 210 people. Walk through open sheep farming country, visiting Ardnakinna Lighthouse and a Martello Tower. Or on the mainland, visit Dunboy Castle home to O’Sullivan clan who ruled the area for three centuries. Puxley mansion was a 19th century family home of the Puxley’s, who mined copper in the area. Bicycles are for available hire in Castletownbere for more exploration.
Walking Distance 8 or 24 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 250 m 
Overnight in Castletownbere
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Castletownbere to Eyeries
Through the Slieve Miskish Mountains and via the coast at Coulagh Bay. The area is rich in megalithic remains, stone rows, forts, tombs indicating its importance in the Bronze Age period, 1200-700BC, and a stone circle at Derreentaggart. The Way crosses open hill terrain under the peak of Knockgour at 481m, with views to Allihies and Ballydonegan Bay. Eyeries nestles between mountains and sea.
Walking Distance 21 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 260 m 
Overnight in Eyeries
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Eyeries to Lauragh
Climb the slopes of Gortbrack hill over the stunning Cleanderry Harbour to the pretty village of Ardgroom. Under the striated glaciated face of Tooreenamna and Coomacloghane there are no less than ten prehistoric monuments. The Owenashagh River meets Killmackillogue Harbour at Lauragh – a glorious sub tropical setting of rhododendron and Scot’s Pine. Dereen House & Gardens are well worth a visit.
Walking Distance 22 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 300 m 
Overnight in Lauragh
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Lauragh to Kenmare
Climb to a saddle at 150m between the hills of Knockatee and Knockanoughanish and then higher through open hillside. Superb views of the Cloonee Lakes descending to Lough Inchiquin and a stone circle from the Neolithic era 3500 – 2000 B.C. Climb the Inchiquin valley, past isolated farmhouses and onto a saddle at 370m.
Walking Distance 24 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 470 m 
Overnight in Kenmare
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Departure
Scheduled bus services from Kenmare to Killarney or Cork for onward connections.
Meals Included: Breakfast

-------------------------------------

Sample Itinerary: 5-day tour - subject to changes

Day 1: Travel to Castletownbere
Make your own way to Castletownbere.
Overnight in Castletownbere
Meals Included: none

Day 2: Castletownbere to Allihies
Through the Slieve Miskish Mountains, conifer forests, crossing open hill terrain under the peak of Knockgour at 481m. Pass a ringfort – an ancient farm enclosure, which would have served as a home for people and animals. Allihies is a colourful coastal village, surrounded by the remains of copper mines – crushed stones from the mines formed the beach.
Walking Distance 12 km (about 3 hours) / Ascent 220 m 
Overnight in Allihies
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: From Allihies via the coast at Coulagh Bay to Eyeries
Mining tracks link Allihies with Eyeries and the views are to the north of Coulagh Bay and the mouth of the Kenmare River. The coastal route takes you past coastguard ruins and rocky shorelines to the Ballycrovane Standing stone – 4.7m and quite a sight!
Walking Distance 20 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 500 m 
Overnight in Eyeries
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Eyeries to Ardgroom
Last views of Coulagh Bay before venturing inland, the route takes you past Lough Fadda above Ardgroom Harbour and the beautiful isolated coast of Cleanderry & Bird Point. The Pulleen Sea caves are worth an extra 5km loop
Walking Distance 11 km (about 3 hours) / Ascent 90 m 
Overnight in Ardgroom
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Departure
You can take a bus from Ardgroom to Cork.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Beara Way

Dates Note: Any time during the season.

Other Info
Meeting: depends on option selected
Airport: Kerry Airport
Transfer:

Climate:
                                                    Eyeries area

• Fully waterproof rainwear;
• Waterproof hiking boots;
• Hiking-pole;
• Light walking shoes;
• Spare layer of clothing;
• Hat/cap;
• Gaiters;
• Day-rucksack;
• Thermos flask;
• Water bottle;
• Lunchbox;
• Plastic bag;
• Torch; Insect-repellent spray;
• First Aid kit;
• Blister-plaster;
• Sunscreen.