> Complete the full Beara Way in 10 stages
> Enjoy the beauty of the peninsula including Bere & Dursey Islands
> Accommodation before, during and after the trek 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 island stage offers a change of rhythm, trading the mainland for the quiet, windswept charm of Bere Island. A short ferry ride across the sheltered harbour takes you to Bere Island, where the day begins surrounded by sea and open skies. The route blends coastal views with gentle inland hills, while traces of history and old fortifications add character along the way.
From the harbour, the trail follows quiet roads before climbing gradually onto higher ground, where views open towards Bantry Bay and the Beara Peninsula. Passing viewpoints like the White Cross, the route rolls over soft hills with a mix of paved lanes and grassy tracks. Along the way, you encounter remnants of military history and old fortifications, while the coastline remains in sight almost throughout.
As the route turns back towards the harbour, the landscape softens again into scattered houses and small fields. The final stretch leads you down gently towards the water, where boats and the calm of the bay welcome you back. A short ferry crossing returns you to the mainland, where your accommodation awaits, a peaceful spot to end a day shaped by sea air and island life.
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 unique island stage takes you to one of the most remote corners of Ireland. From Allihies, you will visit Dursey Island, a place where the Atlantic sets the rhythm and nature takes over. A ride on Ireland's only cable car carries you across the narrow sound, setting the tone for a day that feels far removed from the mainland. With only a handful of residents and wide open landscapes, it is a true escape.
Once on the island, the trail follows quiet tracks across rolling ground, with constant views of the Atlantic Ocean and the rugged coastline. Passing landmarks such as the Dursey Island Signal Tower, the route moves through open fields and along coastal edges, where seabirds and shifting light keep things alive. With barely any traffic and only a few scattered houses, the sense of space and isolation is never far away.
As you make your way back towards the cable car, the island reveals its quiet charm once more. The return crossing brings you back to the mainland, but the feeling of Dursey lingers a little longer. Back near the coast, your accommodation awaits, a comfortable place to unwind after a day shaped by sea, wind and one of Ireland’s most distinctive crossings.
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 a big, varied day that pulls you from the quiet valleys around Lauragh towards the lively shores of Kenmare Bay. The route mixes inland mountains with wide coastal views, passing ancient sites and hidden lakes along the way. It feels like a transition stage, where the wild Beara landscape slowly opens up, with Gleninchaquin Valley and Kenmare Bay guiding you forward.
The trail climbs steadily away from Lauragh, weaving through farmland and into more open mountain terrain. A first notable rise leads you onto higher ground with views over Glenbeg Lough and the surrounding hills. The route then rolls through a landscape dotted with highlights such as Uragh Stone Circle and Gleninchaquin Valley, before a more sustained climb brings you over the shoulder near the Saddle of Derrysallagh. From here, wide views stretch towards Kenmare Bay.
A long descent follows, gradually easing you out of the hills and back into a softer, greener landscape. Quiet roads and tracks lead you towards the water, with Kenmare growing closer step by step. The Rose Garden Bed & Breakfast and Café offers a warm and welcoming finish, a perfect spot to relax after a full and rewarding day in the Beara hills.
This final stretch brings you from the colourful edges of Kenmare back into the quiet embrace of Glengarriff. It is a day of gentle transitions, where inland valleys, open hills and glimpses of the coast blend together. The route feels calmer than earlier mountain crossings, yet still carries that wild Beara character, with hidden viewpoints and old paths guiding you westward.
Leaving Kenmare, the trail follows quieter tracks along the edge of Kenmare Bay before turning inland. A gradual climb leads into rolling hills and open countryside, passing viewpoints over the water and the surrounding ridges. The path continues through a mix of farmland and upland terrain, with highlights such as the Bonane Stone Circle and distant views towards Gleninchaquin Valley. The final climb is steady rather than steep, bringing you to a broad shoulder before the descent.
From there, the route drops down through forested slopes towards Glengarriff Nature Reserve, where the landscape turns lush and green. Streams, woodland and softer paths guide you into the village. Casey’s Hotel awaits at the end, a familiar and welcoming place to close the loop, with time to settle in and look back on the journey across the Beara Peninsula.
