Beara Peninsula Lauragh to Eyeries Mountain Track
Copper mining ghosts and Atlantic views
The old mining road from Lauragh village climbs steeply through stone-walled farmland before hitting the real challenge: a series of rocky switchbacks that’ll test your clutch control and line choice. The track follows the ridge spine between Knocknagree and Cummeengeera, passing abandoned copper mine shafts that once fed the Allihies mining operation. Stone walls crumble alongside the route, and sheep tracks crisscross the main line, but stick to the tire ruts carved by local farmers accessing high pastures.
This is proper technical driving — loose stone over bedrock with steep drop-offs and no guardrails. Stock vehicles with good clearance can handle most sections, but a few rocky steps demand careful wheel placement. Best tackled April through October when weather cooperates; winter brings ice and zero visibility. No permits required, but respect farm gates and livestock. You’ll earn sweeping views of the Skellig Islands and Kenmare Bay that’ll make every scraped undercarriage worth it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1640 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Lauragh, County Kerry |
| Land manager | Private farmland and commonage |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser or Defender handle this, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through, but it'll be working hard. The rock surface is loose and jagged in sections, so good all-terrain tires and solid low-range are non-negotiable — a lifted rig with skid plates will have more margin on the technical stone climbs.
Is this trail passable year-round or does it close in winter?
April through October is the realistic window. Winter brings bog saturation, ice on the upper track, and Atlantic storms that make the exposed ridgeline genuinely dangerous — the surface drains poorly and wet rock here is slicker than it looks.
Do I need a permit to drive this track, and is there a fee?
No formal permit or fee is currently required, but this crosses private farmland and commonage — leave gates as you find them, don't block farm access, and treat it as the privilege it is, not a right.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The upper stone climbs between the old copper mining areas are the crux — loose quartzite slabs on steep gradient with limited line choice. Articulation matters here, and one wrong wheel placement can put you on the rocks hard; take it slow and scout on foot if you're unsure.
There's zero cell service on this trail — what should I know for trip planning?
Download offline maps before you leave Lauragh — there are no landmarks to navigate by in low visibility and Atlantic fog rolls in fast on this peninsula. The nearest reliable fuel and services are in Kenmare, roughly 20 miles east, so top off before you start and don't run the trail solo without someone knowing your itinerary.
Trail track
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