Itinerary

Day 1 / Travel to Castletownbere

Arrive at Cork Airport and take public transport to Castletownbere; it may be also possible to arrive in Shannon or Kerry but this will depend on time of arrival. Check with Footfalls before you book your flights.

Day 2 / Adrigole to Castletownbere

The first day of your tour you will be transported to Adrigole and walk back to Castletownbere. The whole trail offers you sweeping views across Bantry Bay to Beara Island on one side and Hungry Hill and the Slieve Miskish Mountains on the other. Travelling along a trail that flanks the southern slopes of Hungry Hill, highest mountain on the peninsula, Past Park Lough, through Comnagapple Glen back to Castletownbere. Distance: 20 km/12.5 miles, Ascent: 550 m/1650 ft Approximate walking time: 6 hrs

Day 3 / Beara Island (Ferry to and from the island)

A charming island that offers a haven of peace and tranquillity on a walk that winds you along old abandoned roads and grassy tracks, through a rocky wilderness to a picturesque lighthouse and a ruined signal tower. From here you will have magnificent panoramic views of Bantry Bay, Bear Haven Harbour and back over your previous days walk. Distance: 12 km/7.5 miles, Ascent: 420 m/1260 ft Approximate walking time: 3,5 hrs

Day 4 / Castletownbere to the village of Eyries

The trail takes you out of Castletownbere following quiet country roads, passing Derrenataggart Stone Circle, one of the finest megalithic monuments on the peninsula. A steady ascent takes you to a saddle between Knockoura and Miskish where you have the option to shorten your day down to 13 km/8 miles by crossing the centre of the Peninsula to Aughbrack and rejoin the trail at Aughabrack. Or continue on the trail through the charming village of Allihies and over the spine of the peninsula to Eyeries. Distance: 23 km/14.4 miles, Ascent: 350 m/1050 ft Approximate walking time: 4 hrs

Day 5 / Eyeries to Lauragh

After leaving Eyeries the trail takes you down to Eyeries Point to follow a beautiful coastal path by Coulagh Bay to reach Ballycrovane Harbour, near which is the site of a magnificent 4.7 m/14 ft prehistoric standing stone, an inscription in ancient Ogham writing. From here the trail turns inland to pass a charming lake called Lough Fadda (Long Lake) and on to follow a small ridge that offers a new panorama of the Kenmare River. The trail takes you through the quaint village of Ardgroom, walking parallel to the Ring of Beara road to cross the border in county Kerry and the village of Lauragh. Distance: 24 km/15 miles, Ascent: 290 m/870 ft Approximate walking time: 7 hrs

Day 6 / Lauragh to Kenmare

The hiking trail takes you out of Lauragh on a small country road to ascent steadily passing Knockatee and Drombohilly Mountains and the picturesque and lonesome Gowlaun Lough. Skirting around the base of Knockagarrane Mountain to join a small track and country road that leads you to your final ascent onto the saddle of Derrysallagh. From here you start your descent into the charming and colourful town of Kenmare. Distance: 19 km/11.8 miles, Ascent: 275 m/825 ft Approximate walking time: 5,5 hrs You could extend your walking tour by another day and walk the old Kenmare Road into the town of Killarney, through part of the Killarney’s National Park and visit Muckross House and Gardens.

Day 7 / Depart

Depart for home.