11-Day / 10-Night Moderate

From your point of arrival, use the public transport information we provide to make the journey to Glengarriff.

Transfer through the beautiful woodlands of the Glenariff Forest Park into the remote Coomerkane valley. From there, a steep climb brings you to a ridge of the Caha Mountains that guides you towards Sugarloaf Mountain, where the Beara Way reaches its highest elevation at 560m. Enjoy splendid views over Bantry Bay before descending into the village of Adrigole.

Today you pass famous Hungry Hill – a mountain immortalised in Dame Daphne Du Maurier’s epic novel of the same name. After hiking around Hungry Hill the trail follows a route along the southern slopes of the Slieve Miskish Mountains to the charming fishing port of Castletownbere. Along the way, you can enjoy views of Bere Island and Berehaven, one of the finest natural harbours in the world.

A short ferry ride across the sheltered harbour will take you to Bere Island where walkers are spoilt for choice with routes of varying length and difficulty. You will find some of the highlights of the Beara Way here. From sites of rich military heritage from various eras to the spectacular scenery of the Slieve Miskish and Caha Mountains on the mainland.

A hike along century old country roads takes you past a Bronze Age stone circle and through some forestry before it climbs up into the Slieve Mishkish Mountains. You can catch a glimpse of the northern side of the peninsula before the trail climbs once more and then descends past an old disused copper mine into the brightly coloured village of Allihies. From there a stunning coastal walk in truly spectacular surroundings takes you right out to the western end of the Beara Peninsula, where the Atlantic Ocean pounds the coastline.

Take a trip on Ireland’s only cable car which will bring you across Dursey Sound, a narrow stretch of water with a very strong tide and reefs of rocks. With just 6 permanent residents, little motorised traffic and abundant wildlife, Dursey Island is a walker’s paradise.

You pass scenic Ballydonegan Strand and then follow a path along the beautiful coastline north. Turn inland to head into the hills above the village where you can explore some of the remains of the old copper mines. A lovely mountain track then leads across the northern slopes of the Slieve Mishkish range. The trail now follows the side of the mountains for a bit, with great views over Coulagh Bay, before it descends towards the coast near the picturesque little village of Eyeries.

Start today with a beautiful coastal walk along the shores of Coulagh Bay, with the waves crashing onto the shore next to you. Pass a rock formation, known as the ‘The Hag of Beara’, one of the oldest mythological creatures of Ireland, before an old boreen takes you past Lough Fadda and onward to the tiny village of Ardgroom.

The day starts with an exhilarating climb along the side of a mountain with far views over Ardgroom Harbour and the bay of the Kenmare River! From there, minor roads lead you to a scenic hike on an ancient, rugged mountain path across Drung Hill. Continue on towards Cashelkeelty stone circle, dating back almost 3,000 years, before you finish in the tiny hamlet of Lauragh, hidden away in a large old forest.

Transfer to Drombohilly in the morning. Today’s hike will lead through fields and valleys and across a number of hills. About half way you will visit the Gleninchaquin Valley with its lake, waterfall and the mystical Uragh stone circle – an undoubted highlight of the entire Beara Way and, on a quiet day, possibly one of the most tranquil and beautiful places on Earth.

There is a regular bus service from Kenmare to Killarney (except on Saturday/Sunday from Sept to June). From Killarney, continue on to Dublin, Cork and Limerick by bus or by train. Full details provided upon booking.