10 Days & 9 Nights

4.7

Beara Way (10 Days & 9 Nights)

Hike the Beara Way, one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets
Explore the colorful fishing villages of Allihies and Eyeries
Enjoy a mix of coastal and inland hiking with views over the Skellig Islands
Delight in traditional Irish music and a pint of Guinness in Kenmare
Glide over Dursey Sound to the tip of the peninsula in Ireland’s only cable car

Get away from the more crowded coastal areas of Ireland and hike the Beara Way, a dramatic peninsula located in Ireland's south west corner and one of the country's best-kept secrets. With ever-changing views over the sea and the mountains that run along its entire length as it juts out into the Atlantic, this fascinating part of Ireland lies at the entrance to the magnificent Bantry Bay. Discover colorful fishing villages on the islands of Bere and Dursey, which you’ll reach via Ireland’s only cable car that glides above Dursey Sound. Pass Bronze Age standing stone circles and take in the views over the famed Skellig Islands perhaps glimpsing a whale, dolphin or seal as you venture along coastal paths. More reasons to enjoy this wonderful hiking adventure include the warmth of the local people, the cozy B&B’s and the obligatory pint of Guinness to refresh you after the day's adventure. Our Beara Way classic point-to-point self-guided hiking tour includes hassle-free navigation with our Macs Adventure app, daily luggage transfers and hand-picked lodgings along with our local expertise and 24/7 support.

From $1,510.00

Select Date Inquire Tour Brochure

Gallery

All Photos (13)

Itinerary

Expand all

Day 1 Arrival in Glengarriff Day 2 Transfer to Adrigole, walk to Castletownbere 14 miles / 23 km Day 3 Free time on Bere Island Day 4 Walk from Castletownbere to Allihies 9 miles / 15 km Day 5 Transfer to Dursey Sound, walk on Dursey Island 11 miles / 17 km Day 6 Walk from Allihies to Eyeries 8.5 miles / 13 km Day 7 Walk from Eyeries to Ardgroom 8 miles / 13 km Day 8 Walk from Ardgroom to Lauragh 9 miles / 14 km Day 9 Transfer to Drombohilly, walk to Kenmare 12 miles / 18 km Day 10 Onward Travel

Other Information

Expand all

Is it for me?

This 10 day moderately rated itinerary combines longer and shorter hikes as you cross the whole of the Beara peninsula. It offers a quieter and less crowded hiking experience, and combines coastal paths with rolling inland trails through welcoming Irish towns and villages.

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Long-Distance Trails

Coastal Walking

Off the Beaten Track

Activity Level & Terrain

With distances ranging from 11 to 22.5 km (7 to 14 mi) this 10-day Beara Way itinerary is graded moderate and involves beautiful sections of walking on the Beara Peninsula. Your first walk is the most challenging day, when walking from Adrigole to Castletownbere. This day leans more towards the moderate to strenuous grading as it is 22.5km (14 mi) and the ascent/descent is +752/-768m. Please view the day-by-day itinerary for more details.

This tour is suitable for regular hikers and it is advisable to do several longer walks of a similar distance on undulating terrain to build up your fitness before setting off. This way you can make the most of your time in Ireland!

The terrain consists of mainly quiet tarmac roads, bog roads, cliffs, and woodland paths. Some sections cross open moorland and at times it can feel rough underfoot. Although the paths are not very high, the area can feel quite isolated and you are exposed to the elements. During rainy weather some of the trails can be muddy, and boggy, and visibility might be low, so be prepared to get your boots wet and wear very good quality walking and waterproof boots. Wearing gaiters is also a good option.

Road walking:As there are no “public rights of way” in Ireland you can expect some road walking on the Beara Way. The roads that the route follows are generally quiet but you will have to walk on the tarmac every day as there is no avoiding this. However this in no way creates a negative experience, it is just what you have to expect when you walk in Ireland. As a general rule, we recommend that when you walk on the side of the road you choose the side that faces the traffic moving towards you. If you are at all concerned, it may be useful wearing clothes that keep you visible.

If you are thinking of travelling solo, please consider that cell phone coverage may be patchy in remote areas along the trail. We also welcome small groups on the trail, ideally no bigger than 6-8 travellers due to accommodation limitations in remote areas along the route. Booking in advance is a must.

Navigation What's Included

Included

9 Nights in B&B’s, guesthouses, and small hotels
9 Breakfasts
Luggage transfers
Private transfer from Glengarriff to Adrigole (Day 2)
Private transfer from Allihies to Dursey Sound (Day 5)
Private transfer from Lauragh to Drombohilly (Day 9)
Detailed trip info and mapped tracks, via the Macs App
24/7 telephone support in the event of an emergency

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to starting point/from finish point
Ferries & Cable Car
Lunches & Dinners
Drinks and snacks
Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
Personal equipment

Extras

Extra nights before, after or during your walk
Additional Transfers

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat and sunscreen. Your itrip info section of your Macs Adventure app has a detailed equipment list which includes standard hiking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack. You may wish to bring hiking poles, but do check directly with your airline on how to pack these.