Cork + Kerry (Beara Peninsula) · Ireland
The Beara Way
The 196km loop around the Beara Peninsula — the wildest of West Cork/Kerry's peninsulas, with copper-mining heritage and Ireland's only cable car (to Dursey Island).
Updated August 23, 2026
Rougher than the Kerry Way and quieter than the Dingle Way. The section on Dursey Island (accessed by Ireland's only cable car — 250m over the Atlantic) is the highlight. Base villages: Kenmare, Eyeries, Allihies, Castletownbere.
Best months: May-September
Trailhead / base town: Glengarriff
Nearest airport: ORK
Waymarked: Yes — signposted route
Waypoint map — 10 points
Topographic base map + trail polyline. Click each waypoint for the trail-note.
Elevation profile
Estimated — download the GPX for definitive elevation data on device.
3359m
Peak gain
Profile is an approximation from the trail's published ascent metres + typical mountain-profile shape. Real per-metre elevation available in the GPX download opened on Garmin, Gaia, Komoot, or Apple Watch.
Community reviews
Real hikers, real dates, real conditions. No premium tier — no AllTrails-style paywall.
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Trail waypoints in order
- 1
Glengarriff (Start)
- 2
Adrigole
- 3
Castletownbere
- 4
Dursey Cable Car
Ireland's only cable car — 250m over the sea
- 5
Allihies
Copper-mining heritage village
- 6
Eyeries
- 7
Ardgroom
- 8
Lauragh
- 9
Kenmare
Foodie base — day 8
- 10
Glengarriff (Finish)
Getting out of Glengarriff (ORK)
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.The Beara Way — frequently asked
How long does the The Beara Way take to complete?
9-12 days for the full 196km (4200m total ascent). Difficulty grade: moderate.
Is the The Beara Way waymarked?
Yes — waymarked with yellow arrow + walking-man signs at every junction. You do not need a topo map to complete it, but bring one anyway for weather-diversion decisions.
When is the best time of year for the The Beara Way?
May-September. Outside these months conditions can turn technical (mud, mist, short daylight) and the value-per-effort drops sharply.
Where should I base myself for the The Beara Way?
Glengarriff — the trailhead is here and it's the natural place to sleep before + after. Fly into ORK, pre-book airport transfer, and pick a base hotel with parking if you're doing multiple sections.
Do I need a permit for the The Beara Way?
No permit required — the trail crosses public land, National Parks land, or is a formally waymarked national trail with open access. Respect any farm-stile signs and leave gates as you found them.