Beara Way - Challenging
Duration: 9 days
Trails: T2 trails
Distance: 15 - 20 km / 9 - 12 mi per day
Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m / 1640 - 3281 ft ascent per day
> Complete the Beara Way
> Challenging distances!
> Challenging distances!
> Enjoy the beauty of Ireland
> Accommodation before, on and after the Beara Way included
The Beara Peninsula is a 48-kilometer-long mountainous strip of land that extends into the Atlantic Ocean. The rather remote location makes it perhaps one of the most pristine parts of southwest Ireland. Just like the more northern Kerry Way and Dingle Way, it is a magical world of mountains and lakes, surrounded by a picturesque coastline. The route leads past grandiose archaeological remains of prehistoric inhabitants, in the form of standing stones or Tombstones.
The Beara Way is a 152 kilometer (95 miles) circular walk along the Beara Peninsula, starting and ending in Glengarriff, County Cork. The route leads you through the beautifully rugged mountain and coastal areas in the Counties Kerry and Cork. With additional walks over the islands of Bere Island and Dursey Island, you can extend the route to a total length of more than 200 kilometers.
Itinerary
Day
1
Arrival in Glengariff
Today you will have to make your way to Glengariff. Here, you will spend the night preparing for your Beara Way adventure.
Casey's Hotel (Glengarriff)
Day
2
Glengarriff to Adrigole
Duration: 05:31 h
Distance: 18 km / 11.2 mi
Ascent: 590 m / 1936 ft
Descent: 600 m / 1969 ft
Quiet roads and forest trails lead you through the beautiful forests of Glenariff Forest Park to the remote Coomerkane Valley. From there, a steep climb takes you to a ridge of the Caha Mountains leading to Sugarloaf Mountain, where the Beara Way reaches its highest point at 560 meters. Enjoy stunning views of Bantry Bay before descending again to the village of Adrigole.
Hungry Hill Lodge and Campsite (Adrigole)
Day
3
Adrigole to Castletownbere
Duration: 06:41 h
Distance: 22.3 km / 13.9 mi
Ascent: 690 m / 2264 ft
Descent: 680 m / 2231 ft
Today you pass the famous Hungry Hill. After a walk around Hungry Hill, the trail follows a route along the southern slopes of the Slieve Miskish Mountains to the charming fishing harbour of Castletownbere. Along the way, you can enjoy the views of Bere Island and Berehaven, one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world.
Island View House (Castletownbere)
Day
4
Castletownbere to Allihies
Duration: 04:39 h
Distance: 14.6 km / 9.1 mi
Ascent: 510 m / 1673 ft
Descent: 470 m / 1542 ft
A walk along ancient country lanes takes you past a Bronze Age stone circle and through forests before the route climbs up to the Slieve Miskish Mountains. You can catch a glimpse of the north side of the peninsula before the path climbs up again and then descends past an old disused copper mine towards the colourful village of Allihies.
Sea View B&B (Allihies)
Day
5
Allihies to Ardgroom
Duration: 07:47 h
Distance: 27.4 km / 17 mi
Ascent: 580 m / 1903 ft
Descent: 600 m / 1969 ft
From here, a beautiful mountain path takes you past and over the northern slopes of the Slieve Miskish range. The route now follows the mountain slopes with stunning views over Coulagh Bay. The path will lead you along the shores of Coulagh Bay, with the waves pounding the shore beside you. Pass a rock formation known as the 'The Hag of Beara', one of Ireland's oldest mythological creatures, before a small old country road (called a 'boreen' in Ireland) takes you along Lough Fadda to the small village of Ardgroom.
Sea Villa (Ardgroom)
Day
6
Ardgroom to Cloonee Lough
Duration: 08:04 h
Distance: 28 km / 17.4 mi
Ascent: 660 m / 2165 ft
Descent: 660 m / 2165 ft
Quiet roads are now followed by a beautiful walk along a rugged mountain path over Drung Hill. The trail then leads you to the Cashel Keelty stone circle which is almost 3,000 years old, before going trough the small hamlet of Lauragh, hidden in a large ancient forest. Almost at the end of this walking day, you will visit the mystical Uragh stone circle - an undoubted highlight of the whole Beara Way and, on a calm day, possibly one of the most peaceful and beautiful places on earth.
Beara Camping (Cloonee Lough)
Day
7
Lauragh to Kenmare
Duration: 05:33 h
Distance: 19.1 km / 11.9 mi
Ascent: 460 m / 1509 ft
Descent: 470 m / 1542 ft
The trail follows the highway for a couple of miles, then heads inland along a wooded lane with beautiful scenery. The trail then ascends steeply up to the gap in the ridge. From here, you will have beautiful sights towards Kenmare, down Kenmare Bay, all the way to the sea.
The Rose Garden Bed & Breakfast and Cafe (Kenmare)
Day
8
Kenmare to Glengarriff
Duration: 06:45 h
Distance: 24 km / 14.9 mi
Ascent: 450 m / 1476 ft
Descent: 460 m / 1509 ft
Today you walk along small roads through the beautiful Sheen River valley. Quiet country roads then lead you to a remote old pass between the Esk and Barraboy mountains. From there the route descends into the beautiful Glengarriff Forest Reserve - a wildlife-rich woodland with many different walking trails. These lead you to the charming village of Glengarriff, situated on the shores of Bantry Bay, where the mountains meet the sea.
Casey's Hotel (Glengarriff)
Day
9
Departure
After breakfast, our services and your Beara Way adventure will be over. Have a safe trip back home!
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Excluded
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