The Beara Way is a long distance walking route of 196km (120 miles) circumnavigating the Beara Peninsula in the southwest of Ireland. Beara is a quieter than its northern neighbour, the Kerry Way, but is equally beautiful and offers superb walking.
Hiking is through low rounded hills, walking old bog roads, exploring abandoned copper mines. It is a largely undiscovered area, hilly but not mountainous, with some good open hill-walking sections. The rocky coastline of the Beara Peninsula is a walking holiday dream. Visit Dursey Island by cable car, walk the green roads of Bere Island and sample the best fresh fish from the port of Castletownbere. The full trail starts at and finishes in Kenmare.
The Beara Way follows old green roads, boggy mountain trails and country roads. It is a very well marked route, signposted with numbered wooden or plastic yellow markers and road signs. This tour consists of 25% quiet country road walking.
This 12-day walking tour walks the full Beara Way route, starting and ending in Kenmare town, including walking to Dursey Island.
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This 12-day walking tour walks the full Beara Way route, starting and ending in Kenmare town, including walking to Dursey Island.
This tour is rated MODERATE for most days with two free days that include a RELAXED option. Day 11 is STRENUOUS.
See how we determine levels of difficulty for each of our hiking tours by visiting our FAQ page.
Travel to this lovely town on the Roughty River and the head of Kenmare Bay – the name translates as Ceann Mara, the Head of the Sea.
Overnight in Kenmare.
The ascent between Esk and Barraboy Mountain crosses the border between counties Cork and Kerry and opens a vista of Bantry Bay. Walk to Dromahassig Waterfall, through the glen of the Baureagh River before climbing to the pass. Descend to the Nature Reserve of natural forest that makes Glengarriff the “rough glen”.
Distance 19km (12mi). Ascent 350m (1,158ft). Approximate walking time 6 hours.
Overnight in Glengarriff.
Walk through the Glengarriff woods and Glenlough Mountains, following old tracks alongside Coomarkane River, climbing the flank of the Sugarloaf, skirting mountain lakes to descend from Mass Mount and the Holy Well. A transfer will be provided to return you to Glengarriff.
Distance 16km (10mi). Ascents 510m (1,673ft). Approximate walking time 5 hours.
Overnight near Glengarriff.
A transfer will bring you to your starting point today, with wonderful views over Bantry Bay and a series of pre-historic sites close to the route. Cross the rugged slopes of Hungry Hill by bog roads, farm tracks and minor roads. Castletownbere, nestled in the lee of Bere Haven Harbour and sheltered by Bere Island, is the principal town of the peninsula and the largest whitefish port in Ireland.
Distance 22km (14mi). Ascents 450m (1,476ft). Approximate walking time 6 hours.
Overnight in Castletownbere.
Free Day in Castletownbere to explore Bere Island and follow the Island Loop Ways. Walk through open sheep farming country, visiting Ardnakinna Lighthouse and a Martello Tower. Or on the mainland, visit Dunboy Castle, home to the O’Sullivan clan who ruled the area for three centuries.
Distance 18km (11mi) or 24km (15mi). Ascents 250m (820ft). Approximate walking time 6 hours.
Overnight in Castletownbere.
Walk through the Slieve Miskish Mountains. Some of today’s route passes through conifer forests. The Way crosses open hill terrain and is under the peak of Knockgour at 481m. You will pass a ringfort – an ancient farm enclosure, which would have served as a home for people and animals. Allihies is a colourful coastal village, surrounded by the remains of copper mines – crushed stones from the mines formed the beach.
Distance 16km (10mi). Ascents 220m (722ft). Approximate walking time 5 hours.
Overnight in Allihies.
Explore Allihies and the copper mines or take the cable car to Dursey, where you can explore deserted farming villages and stunning cliffs. The Dursey cable car is the only one of its type in Ireland. It was constructed in 1973 and crosses a 200m strait approximately 25m above sea level. Your hosts will transfer you to the cable car station where you can walk back to Allihies.
Distance from Allihies via transfer to cable car is 12km (7.5mi).
You may wish to add walking on Dursey Island for a longer day (cable car not included in price).
Overnight in Allihies.
Walk the Beara Way to Eyeries, through abandoned copper mine country with wonderful views over Coulagh bay and north to the Ring of Kerry.
Distance 20km (12mi). Ascents 500m (1,640ft). Approximate walking time 6 hours.
Overnight in Eyeries.
Venturing inland, the route takes you past Lough Fadda above Ardgroom Harbour and the beautiful isolated coast of Cleanderry and Bird Point. If you have time, the Pulleen Sea caves are worth a visit.
Distance 14km (9mi). Ascents 240m (787ft). Approximate walking time 4 hours.
Overnight in Ardgroom.
A line of prehistoric monuments accompanies you today. At Killmackillogue Harbour and Lauragh, visit Dereen House and Gardens, more than 60 acres of sub tropical garden and woodland with wonderful views.
Distance 15km (9mi). Ascents 200m (656ft). Approximate walking time 4 hours.
Overnight in Lauragh. Dinner tonight is in your guesthouse.
Climb to a saddle at 150m between the hills of Knockatee and Knockanoughanish and then higher through open hillside. Superb views of the Cloonee Lakes descending to Lough Inchiquin and a stone circle from the Neolithic era 3500 – 2000 B.C. Climb the Inchiquin valley, past isolated farmhouses and onto a saddle at 370m.
Distance 24km (15mi). Ascents 470m (1,542ft). Approximate walking time 6 hours.
Overnight in Kenmare.
Scheduled bus services from Kenmare to Killarney or Cork for onward connections.
June 2024 – Patty
We had a wonderful trip with Tailor-Made, walking the Beara Way. Everything was very well taken care of, the B&B’s were terrific and the communication was great. Thanks Sean and Patricia for a perfect vacation!
August 2023 – Vivian
My Beara way walk experience was well planned and communicated by the folks at Tailor Made Tours. They were friendly and responsive by email before the trip and helped us decide what to bring and how to get from point a to point b each day. We enjoyed reading our daily guide and going to check out the recommended spots along the way. Our hosts were so lovely and kind and we loved the beautiful nature during the whole walk! Highly recommend the Beara way to any avid and intrepid hikers looking for an unspoiled and stunning view of the west of Ireland!
July 2023 – Rens & Anke, Netherlands
We have walked the Beara way in may 2023 for 8 days. Sometimes we had to climb to the top which was quite tiring but the views were beautiful. The B & B’s were very nice, we felt welcome after a day walking. Everything was very good organised by Deirdre and Sean. Also the communication was easy and fast with Tailor-Made Tours. Thanks for the wonderful days we had on the Beara way!
July 2019 – A. Lees, New Zealand
The area is quite magical, as one would expect in Ireland. The remote walks, sheep, mixed weather, scenery, smooth and rugged rocks, the harbours, and the colourful villages add to a great experience. All my hosts have been friendly, courteous and hospitable. Each B&B had its own character, and certainly had the comfort and nourishing food needed after and /or before a days walk. Margaret’s place in Adrigole was special because it was sharing her home, the home-cooked food was a treat, and the view of the bay was wonderful. I enjoyed all the places and people.
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