How to Ride the Ring of Beara
The Ring of Beara is a coastal scenic road and the perfect remote biking road. Coaches and caravans bypass it because of the 2.8-ton weight restrictions and the road past the Allihies Cooper Mines (GPS: 647835, -10.039924) is a mixture of light gravel and tarmac located on the mountain slopes. The only noise is the wind sweeping over the Atlantic.
Typically, the route starts from Kenmare. You can either ride clockwise or anti-clockwise, but I prefer clockwise so the coast stays on my left. Head to Glengarriff via ‘Turners Tunnels’ along a beautiful sweeping biker’s road. Once in Glengarriff, follow the coast road to Lamb’s Head and Bere Peninsula. There you’ll find Ireland’s only cable car that takes you to Dursey Island (if you fancy it). It’s reputed to be the only cable car over water in Europe. These roads are not predictable in any way; they’re narrow, full of sharp bends and caution is advised.
Head to Allihies Copper Mine shaft (51.647835, -10.039924, road name: Cluin Ct) and spend time exploring the area. The tarmac disappears for some miles but follow it until you reach the coast road, just after Lauragh. I advise you to take the road to Healy Pass because at the highest point you will find some amazing views. Continue for the rest of Healy Pass and enjoy the winding road and scenery, and then turn back on yourself and ride it all again until the point where you entered the pass and re-join your route along the R571 back to Kenmare (starting point).
We have done the top half of the WAW and coming back to do the west element. We’ll add this in. Thanks for the tip
Hi Karen, what was the top half like, was it worth doing? And what time of year did you go? Thanks!
Hi Karen, that’s awesome! Glad you found this article helpful and hope you enjoy the west side! 🙂