> Complete the challenging Beara Way
> 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.
This stage leads you away from the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff into the wild interior of the Beara Peninsula. The route builds gradually towards a more rugged mountain landscape, where quiet valleys, scattered lakes and open hills take over. Hungry Hill (685 m), the highest peak on the peninsula, dominates the skyline ahead for much of the day, giving the walk a clear sense of direction and purpose.
The trail begins gently, following quiet roads and tracks out of Glengarriff before turning inland onto narrower countryside paths. As you move deeper into the hills, the terrain becomes wilder, passing Lough Avoul and later the more remote Lough Coomeenatra. A steady climb brings you higher into the mountains, where views open across the peninsula and towards Bantry Bay. The ascent is the key effort of the day, followed by a long descent on rougher paths and tracks.
Approaching Adrigole, the landscape softens again, with green fields and scattered houses appearing as you drop back towards sea level. Hungry Hill Lodge sits just outside the village, with the mountain rising steeply behind it. It is a fitting place to end the day, surrounded by both the calm of the valley and the presence of the highest ground on Beara.
This stage takes you along the rugged flanks of Hungry Hill, where the Beara Peninsula shows its wilder side. Rolling hills, open moorland and constant views over Bantry Bay create a day that feels both remote and deeply connected to the sea. It is a varied walk with steady climbs and descents, weaving between mountain and coastline before reaching the lively harbour town at the end.
From the start, the trail climbs gradually away from the coast, following quiet lanes and grassy tracks into the hills. Soon the path narrows and winds across open slopes beneath Hungry Hill, with sweeping views over Bantry Bay and the surrounding ridges. The route undulates through heathland and rocky sections, passing streams and small farm tracks, before turning west and descending steadily towards lower ground.
As you approach the coast again, the landscape softens into farmland and scattered houses. The final stretch leads along quiet roads and lanes into the colourful harbour town, where fishing boats and coastal life bring a different rhythm after the hills. Your accommodation awaits close to the water, a perfect place to unwind and enjoy the sea air after a full day on the trail.
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 coastal stage blends wild Atlantic views with quiet inland stretches, linking colourful villages and open headlands. From the lively feel of Allihies, the route follows the edge of the Beara Peninsula, where the ocean is never far away. Cliffs, old mining remnants and wide views towards Dursey Island set the tone, before the trail turns inland and gradually leads you towards the calmer surroundings of Ardgroom.
Leaving the village, the path quickly picks up coastal tracks with sweeping views over the Atlantic and the rugged shoreline. The trail rolls over low hills and passes near the old copper mining area above Allihies, where the landscape feels raw and exposed. Further along, you follow a mix of quiet roads and grassy paths, with constant glimpses of the sea and distant islands, before curving inland through gentle countryside.
As you approach Ardgroom, the terrain softens into farmland and quiet lanes. Stone walls, green fields and scattered houses guide you towards the village, where the pace slows and the atmosphere becomes more relaxed. Your accommodation awaits in this peaceful setting, a comfortable place to end a day that balances coastal drama with inland calm.
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 long and rewarding stage takes you from the quiet hills around Lauragh all the way to the lively town of Kenmare, blending inland valleys with coastal views. The route offers a full day of variety, with steady climbs, open ridges and wide panoramas over Kenmare Bay. It feels like a transition stage, slowly guiding you from remote Beara landscapes back towards a more settled and bustling world.
Leaving Lauragh, the trail follows quiet lanes before climbing gradually into the hills, where views over Glenbeg Lough and the surrounding valleys begin to open. The route continues through a mix of grassy tracks and rougher paths, passing landmarks such as the Uragh Stone Circle and Gleninchaquin valley. A more pronounced climb brings you onto higher ground, where the landscape feels open and expansive, with long views stretching across the peninsula.
From the high point, a long descent leads you down towards Kenmare Bay, with the terrain softening into farmland and wooded sections. The path follows quieter roads and tracks as you approach town, with the bay and surrounding hills guiding you in. Kenmare welcomes you with its colourful streets and lively atmosphere, a perfect place to settle in and enjoy the contrast after a big day out in the hills.
This stage brings you back from the colourful buzz of Kenmare into the greener, quieter heart of the Beara Peninsula. It is a long but flowing day, where inland valleys, forested slopes and open hills take turns. The route gradually leaves behind the town atmosphere and pulls you back into nature, ending once more near the sheltered surroundings of Glengarriff.
Leaving Kenmare, the trail follows the shores of Kenmare Bay for a while, with calm water and soft light reflecting the surrounding hills. Soon the route turns inland, climbing steadily through quiet countryside and wooded sections. Passing near places like the Bonane Stone Circle, the landscape becomes more rugged as you gain height, with broader views opening over valleys and ridges.
After the high point, a long descent leads you through forested slopes and winding tracks towards Glengarriff. The air feels softer again as trees close in and streams appear alongside the path. Gradually, signs of the village return, and you arrive at your accommodation near the water, a relaxed and welcoming spot to round off a full day back on the Beara Way.
