Day 1 - Arrival to Glengarriff

Travel to Glengarriff situated on beautiful Bantry Bay. “Glengarriff” means the “rugged glen”, but it is now a more wooded and attractive valley than when it was named. We supply a leaflet of short walks around the Glengarriff area- the Blue Pool amenity area where there is an excellent swimming spot and lovely coastal walking, Glengarriff woods and short walks on the hill overlooking the village. 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 accommodation in Glengarriff.

Day 2 - Glengarriff to Adrigole

Walk Glengarriff to Adrigole through the Glengarriff woods and Glenlough Mountains.  Overnight in Adrigole village. The Beara Way follows old tracks and roads alongside Magannagan stream, through low lying sheep pasture before climbing to an old pass by Gowlbeg mountain and following the sheep trails to meet an old cart road down to Adrigole village. It is a gentle introduction to your week’s walking! Tonight’s evening meal will be in your guesthouse.
Distance 16km. Ascents 230m. Approximate walking time 5 hours.
Optional extra hike over Brackaloon Hill, 5km (2 hours).

Overnight accommodation in Adrigole.

Day 3 - Adrigole to Castletownbere

Walk Adrigole to Castletownbere with views over Bantry Bay. This walk is harder work because of the ascent and descent. Your day is well rewarded in fine weather with wonderful views and a series of pre-historic sites close to the route. A series of bog roads, farm tracks and minor roads are linked today to cross the rugged slopes of Hungry Hill. A gentle climb from Adrigole takes you above Bantry Bay with stunning views south to Sheep’s Head. The Way descends from 200m into a glaciated valley at 100m, before climbing again to 350m across the slopes of Maulin Hill. 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.
Distance 22km. Ascents 450m. Approximate walking time 6 hours.

Overnight accommodation in Castletownbere.

Day 4 - Free Day in Castletownebere

Visit Bere Island, home to a community of 210 people who fish and farm on the island. There is a way marked route on the island, through open sheep farming country, visiting Ardnakinna Lighthouse and a Martello Look out Tower. If you choose to stay on the mainland, visit Dunboy Castle and Puxley Mansion, now a 5* hotel. Dunboy was 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 hire in Castletownbere for more exploration.
Distance 8km or 24km. Ascents 250m. Approximate walking time 6 hours.

Overnight accommodation in Castletownebere.

Day 5 - Castletownebere to Eyeries

Walk Castletownbere to Eyeries through the Slieve Miskish Mountains and via the coast at Coulagh Bay. Some terrain today is conifer forests, the only other feasible use for poor bogland to turf cutting or sheep farming. 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. The Way follows an old mining road and opens up to inlets and headlands, mountains and bays.
Distance 21km. Ascents 260m. Approximate walking time 6 hours.

Overnight accommodation in Eyeries village.

Day 6 - Eyeries to Lauragh

Walk Eyeries to Lauragh, via Ardgroom. 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.
Distance 22km. Ascents 300m. Approximate walking time 6 hours.

Overnight accommodation in Lauragh village.

Day 7 - Lauragh to Kenmare

Walk Lauragh to Kenmare along the base of the Caha Mountains and via Lough Inchiquin. A minor road climbs to a saddle at 150m between the hills of Knockatee and Knockanoughanish, before climbing higher on the slopes of Knockagarrane through open hillside. Superb views from a height of 250m of the Cloonee Lakes below you before descending through farmland to Lough Inchiquin and a stone circle with 2.5m high standing stone from the Neolithic era 3500 – 2000 B.C. Climb the Inchiquin valley, past isolated farmhouses and onto a saddle at 370m. This is the last climb before Kenmare! The Way now joins small roads and an increasing number of dwellings as you descend into Kenmare town, an interesting market town founded in 1670, on the banks of the Roughty River.
Distance 24km. Ascents 470m. Approximate walking time 6 hours.

Overnight accommodation in Kenmare.

Day 8 - Departure from Kenmare

Scheduled bus services from Kenmare to Killarney or Cork for onward connections.