Ireland · Munster
Distance
161 km
Date
Entry fee
€80
€ / km
€0.50
New date pending
This race has already occurred. A new date for next year’s edition is pending.
Beara Way Ultra: 161km Around the Beara Peninsula, Measured
The Beara Way Ultra is a 161km single-stage mountain and coastal ultra following the Beara Way long-distance walking trail around the Beara Peninsula in West Cork, Ireland. Organised by IMRA Munster and now in its third year (first edition 2023), the race gains 5,500m D+ over 161km (34.2 m/km) across coastal paths, mountain bog, quiet roads, and farm tracks -- with a 37-hour time limit and an IMRA difficulty rating of 10/10 Extreme.
At 80 EUR entry (0.497 EUR/km), the Beara Way Ultra is one of the most affordable 161km races in Europe. It is run on the IMRA volunteer model: five main aid stations supply home-baked goods and Irish hospitality across the full distance, with crew access at all main checkpoints and support runners permitted from km 121.5 to the finish.
The course is balanced across terrain types: 36.4% uphill, 26.7% flat, and 36.9% downhill. At 9.3% distance-weighted average uphill gradient, the climbing is sustained rather than extreme -- but bog, off-camber coastal paths, and final mountain sections in darkness add objective difficulty that numbers do not capture. A 37% DNF rate has been consistent across editions. The Beara Peninsula is remote: Cork Airport (ORK) is the nearest hub, and Castletownbere requires a 90-120+ minute drive -- longer in real-world conditions. For runners willing to make the journey, the Beara Peninsula offers some of the most dramatic Atlantic coastal scenery in European trail running.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
5,500m
D+/KM
34.2m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
9.3%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-9.1%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 18.1 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 19.7 km | |
| 10–15% | 10.6 km | |
| 15–20% | 5.6 km | |
| 20%+ | 4.6 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 36.4% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 26.7% | Flat |
| 36.9% | Downhill |
Terrain
Beara Way Ultra – 161 km 161km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 4.8 km · 446 m gain starts km 24 · avg 9.3% · max 42.1% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3.2 km · 340 m gain starts km 57 · avg 10.8% · max 27.9% |
| 3 | 3.7 km · 307 m gain starts km 43 · avg 8.3% · max 27.7% |
Top descents
| 1 | 4.5 km · 333 m drop starts km 60 · avg -7.4% · max -22.6% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 2.5 km · 314 m drop starts km 29 · avg -12.6% · max -33.7% |
| 3 | 4.8 km · 296 m drop starts km 155 · avg -6.0% · max -21.3% |
Ireland's Most Remote Ultra: The Beara Way Ultra 161km Peninsula Circuit
What is the Beara Way Ultra?
▼
The Beara Way Ultra is a 161km single-stage ultra following the Beara Way walking trail around the Beara Peninsula in West Cork, Ireland. Organised by IMRA Munster, the race gains 5,500m D+ with a 37-hour time limit and carries an IMRA difficulty rating of 10/10 Extreme -- the highest possible. The course mixes coastal paths, mountain bog, quiet roads, and farm tracks. It was first held in 2023, making 2025 the third edition. The race is part of the Irish Ultra Championships.
IMRA 10/10 Extreme: The Beara Way Ultra 161km Difficulty and DNF Reality
How hard is the Beara Way Ultra?
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Extremely demanding. The race carries an IMRA 10/10 Extreme difficulty rating and a ~37% DNF rate confirmed across editions. At 9.28% distance-weighted average uphill gradient, the climbing is sustained rather than extreme -- but boggy off-camber terrain, Atlantic weather (typically wet and windy in May), and 161km of accumulated fatigue make this significantly harder than gradient data suggests. The final 20km, with the finish visible from a distance, is described by finishers as psychologically the toughest section of the course.
Beara Way Ultra 161km Entry Cost: IMRA Pricing and the Value Case
How much does it cost to enter the Beara Way Ultra?
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Entry is approximately 70-80 EUR (0.50 EUR/km). The 2024 official IMRA page listed 70 EUR; the DTR Airtable database records 80 EUR, possibly reflecting a more recent edition. IMRA league events typically open registration only a few weeks before race day. Monitor the IMRA events page (imra.ie/events) for the next edition announcement.
Race Dates, Start Town, and Cutoff for Beara Way Ultra 161km
When does the Beara Way Ultra take place?
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The race is held annually in May -- the 2025 edition ran May 15, 2025. Start is from Castletownbere town centre, Co. Cork. The time limit is 37 hours, with a finish deadline on Saturday evening. Check the official IMRA page at imra.ie/events for exact 2026/2027 dates when announced.
Getting to Castletownbere -- Cork Airport and the Drive to the Beara Peninsula
How do I get to Castletownbere for the Beara Way Ultra start?
▼
Cork Airport (ORK) is the nearest commercial hub. Castletownbere is approximately 90-120 minutes from Cork Airport by car, though journey times can be longer -- the Beara Peninsula is remote and roads are narrow. Public transport is not a realistic option; a rental car or private transfer is required. Accommodation in Castletownbere and nearby villages is limited -- book well in advance. Bantry (~45 minutes away) offers more accommodation options as a base.
Beara Way Ultra – 161 km 161km GPX
Getting to Beara Way Ultra – 161 km
Nearest airport
Cork (ORK)
Notes
Start: ~2–3 hrs drive (remote) / Public transport: Not realistic / Accommodation: Limited (small towns); book early; logistics-heavy
FAR
It’ll possibly take 3+ hours from the closest large airport to arrive. Plan your adventure accordingly, take an extra day for those after-race beers or Curranz.
