Tailor-Made Walking Tours, Ireland - Irish Hiking and Walking Holidays

The Beara Way

Level of Difficulty:

The Beara Peninsula in the southwest of Ireland is a quieter holiday destination than its northern neighbour, the Ring of Kerry. The Beara Way is a long distance walking route of 196km (120 miles) around the peninsula. You will be walking about 85 (55) or 100km (65 miles) of the route.

The trail starts at Glengarriff and finishes in Kenmare. It is a largely undiscovered area, hilly but not mountainous, with some good open hill-walking sections. Day 3 is undoubtedly the longest day, followed by a well-earned rest day in Castletownbere, Ireland's largest white-fish port. There is an extension of the walking way on Bere Island for you to discover on your free day. The 10 day tour allows you time to explore the most southerly corner of the peninsula and take a cable car to Dursey island.

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 60% quiet country road walking.

Itinerary:

Day 1	Travel to Glengarriff situated on beautiful Bantry Bay. Optional visit to Garinish Island.
Day 2	Walk Glengarriff to Adrigole through the Glengariff woods and Glanlough Mountain. Overnight in Adrigole village.	16km
Day 3	Walk Adrigole to Castletownbere with views over Bantry Bay.	22km
Day 4	Free Day in Castletownbere with optional visit to Bere Island.	15 or 24km
Day 5	Walk Castletownbere to Eyeries through the Slieve Miskish Mountains	12km
	...or via Allihies.	24km
Day 6	Transfer to Ardgroom (included) and walk to CloneeLakes, Tuosist.	18km or 23km
Day 7	Walk Cloonee to Kenmare along the base of the Caha Mountains and via Lough Inchiquin nature reserve. Guesthouse in Kenmare.	17km
Day 8	Departure from Kenmare.
10 Day Tour
Day 1	Travel to Glengarriff situated on beautiful Bantry Bay. Optional visit to Garinish Island.
Day 2	Walk Glengarriff to Adrigole through the Glengariff woods and Glanlough Mountain. Overnight in Adrigole village.	16km
Day 3	Free Day in Adrigole to climb Sugarloaf Mountain, 574 meters, for superb views of Bantry Bay and the eastern end of the peninsula.	10km
Day 4	Walk Adrigole to Castletownbere with views over Bantry Bay.	22km
Day 5	Free Day in Castletownbere with optional visit to Bere Island.	15 or 24km
Day 6	Walk Castletownbere to Allihies through the Slieve Miskish Mountains. Visit the abandoned copper mines. Overnight Allihies.	12km
Day 7	Walk Allihies to Ardgroom, through the colourful village of Eyeries, around the Coulagh Bay coastline.	23km
Day 8	Walk Ardgroom to Clonee Lakes, Tuosist.	23km
Day 9	Walk Cloonee to Kenmare along the base of the Caha Mountains and via Lough Inchiquin nature reserve. Guesthouse in Kenmare.	17km
Day 10	Departure from Kenmare

Included in your tour:
7 / 9 nights Bed&Breakfast guesthouse accommodation; luggage transfers each day; detailed route descriptions and 1:50000 maps.

Excluded:
Other meals; transfers to Glengarriff and from Kenmare; entries or excursions.

2008 Prices:

8 Day
€ 496 per person sharing
€ 77 single supplement
€ 633 single party booking

10 Day
€ 591 per person sharing
€ 99 single supplement
€ 771 single party booking

Suggested Extra Options:
Extra night in Kenmare, a colourful lively town, in a wonderful location. An extra night in Cork city, European Capital of Culture 2005.

Airport for transfers:
Cork

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