BEARA WAY WALKING ROUTE

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

The quiet south western corner of Ireland, hiking 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. Visit Dursey Island by cable car, walk the green roads of Bere Island and sample the best fresh fish from the port of Castletownbere. The trail starts at Glengarriff and finishes in Kenmare.

The Beara Way follows old green roads, boggy mountain trails and country roads. It is one of the better marked routes, signposted with wooden or plastic yellow markers and road signs. This tour consists of 28% quiet country road walking.

The 8 day tour consists of 6 full days walking. The tour starts in Glengarriff and follows the southern shore of the peninsula to Castletownbere. After a rest day in this major fishing port, the route turns north to Eyeries before returning along the northern coastline to Kenmare. The 10 day tour allows you time to explore the most southerly corner of the peninsula and take a cable car to Dursey Island. There are several possibilities for additional days.

Do look at the suggested extra options below for some easy add on days.

* Beara Way 8 Day Tour
* Beara Way 10 Day Tour (includes Dursey Island)

Suggested Extra Options :

*Take a transfer (10 Euro) to Dursey to catch the cable car to the island for the most spectacular walking possible. return to Castletown, or walk to Allihies
* Extra night in Kenmare, a colourful lively town, in a wonderful location.
* An extra night in Cork City
* Start the tour in Kenmare town and walk the Beara Way to Glengarriff.
...Distance 24km, Ascents 400m, Approx. walking time 7 hours.
* Spend an extra night in Adrigole to climb Hungry Hill 685 from the Dereen route.
...Distance 12km, Ascents 610m, Approx. walking time 6 hours.
* Walk from Adrigole to the Beal Lough Pontoon. Take a ferry to Rerrin, Bere Island and overnight in Lawrence Cove. Walk the Bere Island Way. Take a ferry from the western end of the island to Castletownbere town and overnight in the town.
...Distance 13km, Ascents 550m, Approx. walking time 5 hours.
* Take an extra night in Eyeries to walk the Ardgroom circuit and enjoy the Pulleen walking route and sea caves. It’s just a lovely place to be for a day.
* Spend an extra night at Lauragh to walk the fabulous Eskatarriff Circuit over a glaciated coum called “The Pocket” and Rabach’s Glen.
...Distance 12km, Ascents 750m, Approx. 6 hours.
...Or Low level option distance 8km, Ascents 100m, Approx walking time 3 hours.
* Spend an extra night at Lauragh to climb Hungry Hill from the Glanmore Lake valley. ...Distance 16km, Ascents 730m, approx. walking time 6 hours.

AIRPORT FOR TRANSFERS

Cork Airport is the most convenient for this tour.