Beara way

Beara way
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About

A 206 km waymarked loop around Ireland's ruggedly beautiful Beara Peninsula — coastal cliffs, mountain passes, stone circles and Ireland's only cable car make this one of the Wild Atlantic Way's most rewarding long-distance trails.

Things to Do

Walk the Full Beara Way Circuit

The complete 206 km loop starts and ends in Glengarriff, taking 9 days of strenuous hiking with 5,245 m of total ascent. Terrain mixes quiet tarmac lanes, bog roads, cliff paths and open moorland. Waymarked with yellow arrows on a black background. Most walkers tackle it April–September.

Walk the Full Beara Way Circuit

Cycle the Beara Way

The same 128-mile circular route around the peninsula is open to cyclists too. Quiet roads and dramatic coastal scenery make it a memorable touring route — though be prepared for some steep climbs.

Cycle the Beara Way

Dursey Island Cable Car

Ireland's only cable car — and the only one in Europe crossing open seawater — whisks you over Dursey Sound to sparsely inhabited Dursey Island. The 10-minute crossing costs €10 return for adults, €5 for children. Strong winds can suspend service, so check ahead.

Bere Island Loops

A short ferry from Castletownbere, Bere Island offers two looped walks — the Ardnakinna Loop (3–4 hrs) and the shorter East End Loop (1–2 hrs). Both deliver panoramic views of Berehaven, Dunboy Castle, Hungry Hill and Bantry Bay, plus historic military fortifications.

Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve

The trail's first section climbs through ancient oak woodlands into the Coomerkane Valley, rising to 500 m north of Sugarloaf Mountain. Stunning views over Bantry Bay and the Sheep's Head Peninsula reward the effort. Allow 4–5 hours to reach Adrigole.

Archaeology Along the Trail

The Beara Peninsula is studded with Bronze Age remains. En route you'll pass wedge tombs, standing stones, Ogham stones, stone circles (notably at Ardgroom and Uragh), fulacht fia (ancient cooking pits), and Mass Rocks. The Bonane Heritage Park near the trail's end is particularly rich.

Shorter Loop Walks

If 9 days is too much, the Beara peninsula offers 15 shorter looped walks from villages like Allihies, Eyeries, Dursey, Castletownbere, Adrigole, Glengarriff, Bere Island and Bonane — most ranging from 1 to 5 hours.

Plan Your Visit

  • Hours: The trail is open year-round except January 31st, when it is closed annually as a condition of landowner access. Best walked April–September for longer daylight and better weather.
  • Admission: The trail itself is free. Dursey Island cable car: €10 return adults, €5 children over 3. Bere Island ferry: separate fare payable on board.
  • Parking: Free parking is available in Glengarriff village and at the trailhead. Additional parking can be found in villages along the route.
  • Food: Pubs, restaurants, cafés and shops in villages along the route including Glengarriff, Adrigole, Castletownbere, Allihies, Eyeries, Ardgroom, Lauragh and Kenmare. Some stretches (e.g. Adrigole) have limited options — carry supplies. Castletownbere, as Ireland's largest whitefish port, is especially good for seafood.

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