The Beara Way: what it's actually like to walk

The Beara Way is a long-distance waymarked trail looping around the Beara Peninsula. We walk selected sections of it rather than the whole thing, choosing the days that show the peninsula at its best.

The terrain

Expect a mix: old green roads and bog roads, open mountain paths, farm tracks and some quiet tarmac between sections. Some stretches are rough and wet underfoot. There are climbs, and there are descents that your knees will notice.

The effort

On The Beara Edit, walking days are approximately 14–16km. With stops for views, lunch and photographs, that's most of the day on your feet. Friday, from Glengarriff to Adrigole, is our challenge day.

The scenery

Stone walls. Heather. Mountain lakes. Views across Bantry Bay or the Kenmare River. The Atlantic appearing, disappearing and reappearing. Long stretches where you won't see another walker.

The feeling

The best part is often the quiet — and then the end of the day: boots off, a hot shower, and dinner with women who walked the same hills.