8 day tour Glengarriff to Kenmare

Day 1: Travel to Glengarriff situated on beautiful Bantry Bay. “Glengarriff” means the “rugged glen”, but it is now a more wooded and attractive valley than when it was named. We supply a leaflet of short walks around the Glengarriff area - the Blue Pool amenity area where there is an excellent swimming spot and lovely coastal walking, Glengarriff woods and short walks on the hill overlooking the village. You may wish to visit Garinish Island, a planted sub-tropical garden about 10 minutes off the coast by ferry, famous for its Italian Garden and ancient sun temple.

Day 2: Walk Glengarriff to Adrigole through the Glengarriff woods and Glenlough Mountains.  Overnight in Adrigole village.
16km. Ascents 230m. Approx. walking time 5 hours
The Beara Way follows old tracks and roads alongside Magannagan stream, through low lying sheep pasture before climbing to an old pass by Gowlbeg mountain and following the sheep trails to meet an old cart road down to Adrigole village. It is a gentle introduction to your week’s walking! Tonight’s evening meal will be in your guesthouse.

Day 3: Walk Adrigole to Castletownbere with views over Bantry Bay. Castletownbere      22km. Ascents 450m. Approx. walking time 6 hours
This walk is harder work because of the ascent and descent. Your day is well rewarded in fine weather with wonderful views and a series of pre-historic sites close to the route. A series of bog roads, farm tracks and minor roads are linked today to cross the rugged slopes of Hungry Hill. A gentle climb from Adrigole takes you above Bantry Bay with stunning views south to Sheep’s Head. The Way descends from 200m into a glaciated valley at 100m, before climbing again to 350m across the slopes of Maulin Hill. Castletownbere, nestled in the lee of Bere Haven Harbour and sheltered by Bere Island, is the principal town of the peninsula and the largest whitefish port in Ireland. It offers a full range of services.  

Day 4: Free Day in Castletownbere with optional visit to Bere Island
Bere Island is 13km by 5km and has a community of 210 people who fish and farm on the island. A ferry that takes 15 minutes and costs €5 return services it regularly. There is a marked route on the island, through open sheep farming country, visiting Ardnakinna Lighthouse and a Martello Look out Tower.
8km or 24km. Ascents 250m. Approx. walking time 6 hours
If you choose to stay on the mainland, visit Dunboy Castle and Puxley mansion. Dunboy was home to O’Sullivan clan who ruled the area for three centuries. Puxley mansion, was a 19^th century family home of the Puxley’s, who mined copper in the area. Bicycles are for hire in Castletownbere for more exploration.

Day 5: Walk Castletownbere to Eyeries through the Slieve Miskish Mountains and via the coast at Coulagh Bay.
21km. Ascents 260m. Approx. walking time 6 hours.
Some terrain today is conifer forests, the only other feasible use for poor bogland to turf cutting or sheep farming. The area is rich in megalithic remains, stone rows, forts, tombs indicating its importance in the Bronze Age period, 1200-700BC, and a stone circle at Derreentaggart. The Way crosses open hill terrain under the peak of Knockgour at 481m, with iews to Allihies and Ballydonegan Bay. The Way follows an old mining road and opens up to inlets and headlands, mountains and bays.

Day 6: Walk Eyeries to Lauragh, via Ardgroom. 
22km. Ascents 300m. Aprrox. walking time 6 hours. 
Climb the slopes of Gortbrack hill over the stunning Cleanderry Harbour to the pretty village of Ardgroom. Under the striated glaciated face of Tooreenamna and Coomacloghane there are no less than ten prehistoric monuments. The Owenashagh River meets Killmackillogue Harbour at Lauragh - a glorious sub tropical setting of rhododendron and Scot’s Pine. Dereen House & Gardens are well worth a visit.

Day 7: Walk Lauragh to Kenmare along the base of the Caha Mountains and via Lough Inchiquin.
24km Ascents 470m. Approx. walking time 6 hours
A minor road climbs to a saddle at 150m between the hills of Knockatee and Knockanoughanish, before climbing higher on the slopes of Knockagarrane through open hillside. Superb views from a height of 250m of the Cloonee Lakes below you before descending through farmland to Lough Inchiquin and a stone circle with 2.5m high standing stone from the Neolithic era 3500 – 2000 B.C. Climb the Inchiquin valley, past isolated farmhouses and onto a saddle at 370m. This is the last climb before Kenmare! The Way now joins small roads and an increasing number of dwellings as you descend into Kenmare town, an interesting market town founded in 1670, on the banks of the Roughty River.  

Day 8: Departure from Kenmare.

10 Day Glengarriff to Kenmare 

Day 1 – 4    as 8-day itinerary
Day 5: Walk Castletownbere to Allihies through the Slieve Miskish Mountains.
12km. Ascents 220m. Approx. walking time 3 hours
Some of today’s route passes through conifer forests, about the only alternative on poor bogland to turf cutting or sheep farming. The Way crosses open hill terrain and is under the peak of Knockgour at 481m. You will pass a ringfort - an ancient farm enclosure, which would have served as a home for people and animals. Allihies is a colourful coastal village, surrounded by the remains of copper mines – crushed stones from the mines formed the beach.

Day 6:  Free day to walk to Dursey and explore Dursey Island, connected to the mainland by cable car. Overnight Allihies.
24km return to Allihies
A magnificent place to spend a day, along the very western end of Europe! Old settlement remains and sheep.

Day 7: Walk from Allihies via the coast at Coulagh Bay to Eyeries.
20km Ascents 500m. Approx. walking time 6 hours
Mining tracks link Allihies with Eyeries and the views are to the north of Coulagh Bay and the mouth of the Kenmare River. The coastal route takes you past coastguard ruins and rocky shorelines to the Ballycrovane Standing stone - 4.7m and quite a sight!

Day 8: Walk Eyeries to Lauragh, via Ardgroom. 
22k. Ascents 300m. Approx. walking time 6 hours. 
Climb the slopes of Gortbrack hill over the stunning Cleanderry Harbour to the pretty village of Ardgroom. Under the striated glaciated face of Tooreenamna and Coomacloghane there are no less than ten prehistoric monuments. The Owenashagh River meets Killmackillogue Harbour at Lauragh - a glorious sub tropical setting of rhododendron and Scot’s Pine. Dereen House & Gardens are well worth a visit.

Day 9: Walk Lauragh to Kenmare along the base of the Caha Mountains and via Lough Inchiquin.
24km Ascents 470m. Approx. walking time 6 hours
A minor road climbs to a saddle at 150m between the hills of Knockatee and Knockanoughanish, before climbing higher on the slopes of Knockagarrane through open hillside. Superb views from a height of 250m of the Cloonee Lakes below you before descending through farmland to Lough Inchiquin and a stone circle with 2.5m high standing stone from the Neolithic era 3500 – 2000 B.C. Climb the Inchiquin valley, past isolated farmhouses and onto a saddle at 370m. This is the last climb before Kenmare! The Way now joins small roads and an increasing number of dwellings as you descend into Kenmare town, an interesting market town founded in 1670, on the banks of the Roughty River.

Day 10: Departure from Kenmare.

To extend this tour or alter the itinerary may we make the following suggestions: