Ring of Beara Highland Track

The highland section of the Ring of Beara breaks away from the tourist-packed coastal route to climb into the Caha Mountains via a network of narrow mountain tracks between Lauragh and Ardgroom. These single-track roads wind through ancient peat bogs and past abandoned copper mining sites from the 1800s, reaching the Healy Pass at 334 meters where the views stretch across Bantry Bay to the Sheep’s Head Peninsula. Stone walls and ruined farmsteads dot the landscape, remnants of communities cleared during the Great Famine.

Moderate difficulty requiring careful navigation as signage is minimal and GPS can be unreliable in the mountains. Stock 4WD recommended for the steepest sections and loose stone surfaces, especially after rain. Best driven May through September when mountain mists clear and the track isn’t waterlogged. No permits needed but respect private farmland and close gates. The payoff is experiencing Ireland’s most remote peninsula without crowds, with wild camping possible near mountain lakes and unmatched access to hiking the Beara Way.