Beara Way: Map, Accommodation, Walking Route and More!

This stage eases you out of the quiet hills around Berehaven and gradually brings you back towards the coast and village life. It is a gentler day, with rolling terrain, scattered farms and constant glimpses of Bantry Bay. The wild edge softens here, but the landscape keeps its character with stone walls, winding lanes and open views across the peninsula.

The route climbs lightly away from Berehaven Pods, looping through a network of small roads and rural paths. You pass streams, cross the Owgariff River and move through a patchwork of fields and low hills. The trail undulates rather than pushes hard, with occasional viewpoints opening towards Bantry Bay and the surrounding countryside. It is a relaxed walk, where the focus shifts from height to rhythm and scenery.

As you approach Castletownbere, the sea comes back into view and the route settles into quieter roads leading into the village. Fishing boats, harbour life and colourful houses signal your arrival. Island View House sits in a prime spot overlooking the water, a perfect place to unwind and watch the bay as the day comes to a calm finish.

This stage brings you deeper into the wild western edge of the Beara Peninsula, where the landscape feels more remote and shaped by its mining past. The route leads from the harbour atmosphere of Castletownbere into open hills and quiet valleys, with constant views towards the Atlantic. Ahead, the old copper mining area around Allihies gives the day a distinct character, blending rugged nature with traces of history.

Leaving Castletownbere, the trail climbs steadily inland over quiet roads and tracks before reaching more open ground. As you gain height, wide views unfold over Bantry Bay and towards the Atlantic coastline. The route then crosses rolling hills and passes near Knockgour Pass, with a mix of grassy paths and rougher sections. Further on, the landscape becomes more exposed, with old mining features and viewpoints towards Dursey Island appearing along the way.

Approaching Allihies, the Atlantic comes fully into view and the colourful village appears below, set between hills and sea. The final descent leads you into this historic mining settlement, where Sea View B&B offers a welcoming end to the day. It is a place to unwind, with the ocean close by and the feeling of having reached one of the most characterful corners of Beara.

This stage follows the raw Atlantic edge of the Beara Peninsula, linking the colourful village of Allihies with the coastal charm of Eyeries. It is a day of sea views, rolling hills and constant exposure to wind and ocean. The route keeps shifting between inland tracks and open coastal stretches, with the Atlantic never far away and the horizon wide and empty.

Leaving Allihies, the trail climbs gently above the village, opening up views over the coastline and the rugged cliffs nearby. The path then rolls through quiet hills with steady ups and downs, passing viewpoints over Bantry Bay and towards the distant coastline. At times the route turns inland across narrow roads and tracks, before returning again to more open ground where the sea reappears, always shifting in colour and mood.

As you approach Eyeries, the landscape softens slightly and the houses begin to appear, scattered across the hills above the coast. The village stands out with its bright colours against the green slopes and blue sea. Coulagh Bay House sits in a peaceful spot near the water, a perfect place to land after a day shaped by wind, views and the rhythm of the Atlantic.

This stage stays close to the Atlantic, linking Eyeries with Ardgroom along a softer but still windswept stretch of the Beara Peninsula. It is a gentler day in terms of climbing, yet full of coastal character, with wide views over Kenmare Bay and a constant sense of space. The route mixes quiet roads, coastal paths and open ground, with the sea never far from sight.

Leaving Eyeries, the trail rolls easily through open countryside, with low hills and wide views stretching out towards the water. The path then drifts between inland tracks and sections closer to the coast, passing small viewpoints and quiet corners that look out over the bay. Further on, the route nears Ardgroom, where traces of ancient history appear, including the Ardgroom Stone Circle set in the landscape above the village.

As you descend towards Ardgroom, the terrain becomes even more relaxed, with green fields, scattered houses and calm coastal scenery taking over. The village sits quietly along the shore, with views across the bay and a slower rhythm after the exposed sections earlier in the day. Sea Villa offers a peaceful place to arrive, right by the water, where you can unwind and watch the light shift across the bay.

This stage moves inland from the coast, linking Ardgroom with Lauragh through a quieter, more sheltered side of the Beara Peninsula. The Atlantic slowly fades into the background as rolling hills, farmland and wooded valleys take over. It is a varied day with gentle climbs, a few steeper moments and a constant shift between open views and more enclosed green landscapes.

Leaving Ardgroom, the route follows easy paths and quiet roads along the edge of Kenmare Bay before turning inland. The trail gradually climbs over low hills, passing the Ardgroom Stone Circle and later the Shronbearnagh Stone Circle, both reminders of the area's ancient past. Further on, the route undulates through farmland and small tracks, with a couple of short but steeper climbs before easing again towards the valley.

Approaching Lauragh, the landscape becomes greener and more enclosed, with trees, streams and scattered houses appearing more frequently. The route settles into a calmer rhythm as it descends towards the village, surrounded by hills and water. Mountain View B&B offers a relaxed and welcoming place to end the day, tucked into this peaceful corner of Beara.

This is one of the more demanding days on the Beara Way, heading inland from Lauragh into a wilder and more mountainous landscape before easing back towards quieter valleys near Killaha. The stage combines long climbs, remote valleys and wide open views, with a real sense of space throughout. It feels more rugged and less coastal, with the terrain constantly shifting between forest, open hills and exposed ridgelines.

Leaving Lauragh, the route climbs steadily through woodland and along quiet tracks before opening into the Gleninchiquin Valley, where waterfalls and wide mountain views steal the show. A longer ascent follows towards the Saddle of Derrysallagh, the highest point of the day, where the landscape turns more open and windswept. From here, a gradual descent leads across rolling hills and quieter tracks, with views stretching back over the valley you have just crossed.

As you continue, the terrain softens again, with farmland and scattered houses appearing as you approach Killaha. The final kilometres feel calmer, with gentle paths guiding you through a more lived-in landscape. Misty Bay sits in a peaceful spot, offering a quiet and comfortable end to a long, varied day in the hills.

This stage offers a gentler transition after the previous mountain effort, guiding you from Killaha East towards Gearha through rolling countryside and quiet inland terrain. The rugged peaks fade into the background, replaced by softer hills, farmland and a calmer rhythm. It is a day to recover a bit, while still enjoying wide views and the peaceful character of this inland corner of Beara.

Leaving Misty Bay, the route follows quiet lanes and easy tracks, gradually moving through open fields and low hills. The trail passes near the Bonane Stone Circle and the nearby sculpture garden, adding a cultural touch to the landscape. Along the way, gentle undulations replace steep climbs, and the scenery alternates between small roads, farmland and patches of woodland, with occasional views back towards the surrounding hills.

As you approach Gearha, the terrain becomes even more relaxed, with scattered houses and a more lived-in feel. The route eases into a calm finish, far from the exposed ridges of earlier stages. The Ford sits in a quiet rural setting, offering a comfortable and peaceful end to the day, where you can slow down and enjoy the softer side of the Beara Way.

This final stretch brings you back to the coast, linking the quiet inland setting of Gearha with the lively harbour village of Glengarriff. It is a varied day, starting among hills and farmland before gradually opening towards sea views and the wider landscape around Bantry Bay. The contrast between inland calm and coastal energy gives this stage a satisfying sense of return.

Leaving The Ford, the route climbs gently through rolling countryside, passing scattered houses and green slopes. The path then rises more steadily towards a broad high point, where views open over the surrounding hills and towards Glengarriff Nature Reserve. From here, a long descent begins, winding down through woodland and along the Glengarriff River, with the scenery becoming greener and more enclosed as you approach the coast.

As you reach Glengarriff, the landscape opens again, with the harbour, islands and wide waters of Bantry Bay coming into view. The village feels lively after the quieter inland sections, with a mix of nature and coastal charm. Casey’s Hotel sits right in the heart of it all, a perfect place to arrive, relax and reflect on the journey across the Beara Peninsula.