Bere Island is a cyclists paradise. You have none of the hustle and bustle of the mainland and our roads are relatively traffic free. A cycling break combines exercise with the opportunity to see areas of the countryside that would not be available from a car. More energetic cyclists would enjoy the challenge posed buy the The Beara Way Cycling Route (part of which runs around the Island).

The Beara Way Cycling Route

A circular cycling route of approximately 136 Km (85 miles) through the spectacular Beara Peninsula, and the route generally uses country roads and stays close to the coastline. The route travels along the entire Beara Peninsula passing through the towns and villages along the way. There is no start or finish so you can join the route in any town or village on the peninsula. With the addition of the two route options (including The Healy Pass) running north to south across the peninsula, it brings the total route to an estimated 171 km.

The route is sign-posted with a logo and a bicycle symbol, and the route sections are as follows:-

(1) - Glengarriff to Adrigole: 19 Km (12 miles)
2 Km main road, 17 Km secondary / minor roads.
Elevation range 20m. – 140 m. Discovery Sheets 84,85.

(2) - Adrigole to Castletownbere: 17 Km (11 miles)
17 Km secondary / minor roads.
Elevation range sea level – 100 m. Discovery Sheet 84.

(3) - Bere Island: 25 Km (16 miles)
25 Km secondary / minor roads.
Elevation range sea level to 250 m. Discovery Sheets 84 or 88.

(4) - Castletownbere to Dursey Sound and Allihies: 43 Km (27 miles)
43 Km secondary / minor roads.
Elevation range sea level to 150m. Discovery Sheet 84.

(5) - Allihies to Ardgroom: 15 Km (9 miles)
9 Km secondary / minor roads.
Elevation range 50 m. – 100 m. Discovery Sheet 84.

(6) - Ardgroom to Dawros Cross: 17 Km (11 miles)
17 Km secondary / minor roads.
Elevation range sea level to 50 m. Discovery Sheets 84,85.

Further information on the Beara Way Cycling Route can be found on www.corkkerry.ie the official tourism information web site for the Cork / Kerry region.