Causeway Coast
Northern Ireland
The Causeway Coast Way is a low-lying walk that stretches along the north-eastern tip of Ireland, which encompasses The Giant’s Causeway.
2/5
Ballycastle
Ballintoy
51 km
3 Days
Yes
140 metres
No
Northern Ireland, UK
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The Causeway Coast Way is a low-lying walk that stretches along the north-eastern tip of Ireland.
Running between the popular tourist towns of Ballycastle and Portstewart, the route is just over 50 kilometres in length and can be walked in either direction.
One of the best things about the route is that it passes some of the major tourist attractions of Northern Ireland – namely the Giant’s Causeway.
The Giant’s Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption and is known locally as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of TripAdvisor’s 10 most dramatic landscapes on the planet. You might even recognise it from various scenes in the Game of Thrones television series.
The route also passes through more of the Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and several Areas of Special Scientific Interest.
Over the course of three days hikers are treated to views of, and visits to, wide bays, sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and off-shore rocks. At every turn you are met with spectacular views.
This tip of the island is pretty much a walker’s paradise, with the ferocious Atlantic foaming below, abundant flora and fauna, and stunning panoramas that look out onto the Scottish island of Islay, Rathlin Island’s chalky-white cliffs and the Mull of Kintyre at the tip of the Kintyre peninsula in Scotland
The Causeway Coast Way is also a subsection of the Ulster Way, a 1,070 kilometre circular trail in Northern Ireland.
As with any walk in Britain, the best conditions will be between May and October. The summer period offers the warmest temperatures and potential for low cloud and rain, but is also the most popular.
Nailing your timing will make this climb more enjoyable. July through August is best avoided as the school holidays will guarantee you a greater level of crowds – particularly in the Giant’s Causeway area – and potentially a less enjoyable experience.
Below we discuss the trail as walked from east to west, i.e. from Ballycastle to Portstewart, but it could just as easily be tackled in the other direction.
First and foremost, we would recommend that the stretch between Ballycastle and White Park Beach should be omitted from your itinerary, but it is personal choice.
This is because it is along winding roads, largely without pavements and it is not safe – particularly if you have children or dogs with you.
As mentioned above, public transport runs along the entire Causeway Coast Way so you can easily leave out this stage by hopping on and off the bus.
Below we have broken the route down into six key stages, which can be walked over the course of two to three days.
Distance: 11.5km | Ascent: 200m | Walking time: 3hr 20mins
Distance: 7km | Ascent: 50m | Walking time: 2hrs 15mins
Distance: 9km | Ascent: 200m | Walking time: 2hrs 45mins
Distance: 5km | Ascent: 50m | Walking time: 1hr 20mins
Distance: 8km | Ascent: 50m | Walking time: 2hr 15mins
Distance: 10.5km | Ascent: 50m | Walking time: 3hrs
If you plan to hike the entire trail, you can start in Ballycastle or Portstewart and base yourself there then reach the section you want to hike each day by taking the bus.
There are hotels, inns, B&Bs, campsites and caravan parks around both areas – so whatever your budget there will be something to suit.
The rule of camping in Northern Ireland is a little bit of a grey area but if you set up your camp late in the evening, pack up early and follow the leave-no-trace rules you won’t run into any issues in the more secluded areas along the trail.
Just don’t decide to set up camp on the edge of the Giant’s Causeway.
The other option is to stay the night at various towns along the way. Once again there are plenty of hotels and guesthouses scattered along the Causeway Coastal Route.
Definitely spend a night in Ballycastle before you set off. The Salthouse Hotel has impressive views from the restaurant, bar and spa that might leave you wanting to stay a bit longer than just the one night.
For those on a budget, the Castle Hostel is a popular well-equipped option too.
For your second night, a good stop off would be in Ballintoy or White Park Bay.
The Castle Bed and Breakfast in Ballintoy is a home away from home with a shared lounge, garden and a full English/Irish breakfast to get you fuelled up.
Whitepark House B&B is an incredible experience that comes highly recommended (just read the reviews to understand why), otherwise White Park Bay Youth Hostel offers good value for money.
If you’re going to splash the cash anywhere, it should be on your third night to stay at the Causeway Hotel.
Located on prime real estate, staying here gives you the Giant’s Causeway (almost) all to yourself first thing in the morning and at sunset. Without the crowds, you’ll see a whole new side of this magical and unique site.
For anyone choosing to break up the final stretch, spend a night in Portrush at either the Portrush Atlantic Hotel – if you want something a little fancy – or the Portrush Holiday Hostel.
The main downside of staying at points along the linear route is that you will need to carry your backpack.
If you don’t want to be weighed down, take a self-guided tour with a local company who will transfer your luggage every day, or organise your own luggage transfers with an agency.
There is no shortage of things to do all along the trail. Whether you’re a foodie, a seasoned hiker, a wildlife watcher or a historian, there are plenty of stop-offs that will peak your interest.
The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge near Ballintoy links the mainland to the tiny island of Carrickarede.
Spanning 20 metres, with views down to the floor 30 metres below, this is a fun stopping point that is well worth the small National Trust fee.
En route from Giant’s Causeway to Portrush, you can take a small detour to the famous Dunluce Castle also known as House of Greyjoy in Game of Thrones.
The little café – called the Wee Cottage – is a popular spot to warm up with a tea or coffee and slice of cake.
From here you can head towards Portrush, which boasts three beaches with the coveted blue-flag designation. Its name comes from the Irish Port Rois, which translates to “promontory port” – an indication of what an idyllic town Portrush is.
Portrush is a true seaside town with charming shops, restaurants/pubs, galleries and arcades, and a beachfront that will capture your heart.
If you’re visiting in summer then you can’t pass up the opportunity to take a dip at West Strand beach, a stunning curve of shoreline that is a popular swimming and sunbathing spot and also features a promenade for walkers and cyclists.
For something a bit more adrenaline-fuelled, check out Barry’s Amusements. Located above the West Strand, the amusement park has been in operation for over 90 years, hosting 15 attractions that include two rollercoasters, a carousel and a water slide.
If you want to take a break from walking, why not book on to a tour? The Game of Thrones tour will take you to some of the beautiful filming locations of the acclaimed TV series, whilst the Derry Bloody Sunday walking tour touches on some of Ireland’s rich history and discovers the famous Bogside Murals.
If you’re more of the culinary sort then check out the Bushmills food and whisky tour and tasting – the perfect way to discover more of the region local products.
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