Causeway Coast Way

Walk Overview

For good reason, this is Northern Ireland’s best known walk. The Causeway Coast Way offers spectacular coastal walking, as well as the World Heritage Site and geological wonder known as the Giant’s Causeway.

The Causeway Coast Way follows Northern Ireland’s most celebrated and dramatic stretch of coastline, being that which runs between Ballycastle and Portstewart. The path extends for 51 kilometres (32 miles) over easy walking terrain of clifftops, beaches, promenades and occasional country roads. The walk can be done in either direction.

The star of the show is the series of rock formations known as the Giant’s Causeway. Essentially, the Giant’s Causeway comprises hundreds of hexagonal basalt columns rising from the cliff base and the Irish Sea.

Other highlights of the walk include:

• The medieval ruins of Dunluce Castle.

• The daring rope bridge connecting the mainland with the tiny island of Carrick-a-Rede.

• Bushmills Distillery.

From Ballycastle (the starting or finishing point), there is an opportunity to visit Raithlin Island. The steep, inaccessible cliffs of this wild island provide ideal nesting territory for thousands of birds including puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes. In Spring and Summer, the island is covered by colourful wildflowers.

Ballycastle is the point where the Causeway Coast Way meets the Moyle Way. For those seeking a scenic and varied multi-day walk in Northern Ireland, combining the Causeway Coast Way and the Moyle Way is an excellent choice and is able to be tackled by novice walkers. The Moyle Way meanders through the area known as Antrims Glen.

The Causeway Coast Way covers 51 kilometres (32 miles) and generally takes two or three days of walking. Your total trip duration then depends on whether you incorporate rest days into the walk and, if so, how many.

A three walking day itinerary is shown below. The itinerary shown below involves an average daily distance of 17 kilometres (10.5 miles).

Further information:

• A three day itinerary is described below.

• For more information on walking on the Causeway Coast, click the button below.

Itinerary

The walk takes about 2-3 days to complete. A typical 3 day itinerary is shown below.

Day 1

Ballycastle to Ballintoy

Distance: 14 km

Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast; hotels

Walk Options

Guided

There are walking tour operators offering one or multi-day day guided walks in the area, including part or all of the Causeway Coast Way.  Accommodation is either offered at one central base or at a variety of locations en route, depending upon which tour operator you choose.

Typically, the package offered by these operators include:

• Tours with professional guides, 

• Accommodation with ensuite at bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and small hotels

• All breakfasts (some operators include lunches and dinners)

• Transfers between the walks and the accommodation

Assisted self-guided

Several tour operators offer the Causeway Coast Way as a self-guided trip.

Typically, the service includes:

• Trail notes, maps and information pack

• Accommodation, usually with ensuites

• Luggage transport between accommodation

• Breakfasts and optional packed lunches

• 24/7 Support

Accommodation options range from comfortable through to luxury, again depending upon the size of the village or town and the purchased package.

Independent

There are camping areas along the route that make camping on each night a possibility. It’s also quite feasible to book accommodation along the route yourself and, if you require luggage transfers, to arrange that independently.

For those considering this option, it’s worth noting that the self-guided tour operators often have preferred rates with accommodation providers and luggage transfer companies. They also often have reserved allocations at the best-located/most suitable accommodation for the particular walk, so sometimes when accommodation shows no availability to an independent inquiry there’s still availability through a self-guided operator.

Also, be aware that the Causeway Coast is a popular destination for both local and overseas travellers, so during the holiday season it will usually be necessary to book accommodation well ahead of your visit.

Essential Information

Access

The starting point for the walk is usually Ballycastle in Northern Ireland and the finishing point is Portstewart.

There are frequent bus services from either Belfast or Dublin to Ballycastle.

From Portstewart, walkers can take the Ulster bus service to Coleraine Buscentre (20 mins). From Coleraine, there are regular buses to Belfast Europa Buscentre (1 hour 40 mins). From Belfast Europa Buscentre, there are buses to nearby Belfast Airport or Dublin Airport (2 hrs 10 mins).

Best time

The best time to do the walk is between March and October.

Traditionally, April and May are the most popular months as the weather is usually better and less changeable.

Difficulty

This walk is rated at a difficulty level of easy. The track is generally level with few climbs.

Accommodation

In most areas there is a good selection of high standard accommodation providers including bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, inns and hotels.

Some of the accommodation providers near to the trail are attuned to walkers’ needs or offer amenities suited to walkers. 

We can assist walkers in choosing the accommodation options which best suit their needs.

Dining

We can assist you in choosing some special dining options along the route.

Other activities

As a popular tourism destination, the Causeway Coast offers many attractions in addition to the Causeway Coast Way.

Many walkers choose to add extra days to their trip so that they can explore these other attractions.

Popular choices include Portballintrae which provides easy access to the new state of the art visitors centre at the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site. Another popular excursion from Portballintrae is to Bushmills Distillery which runs regular tours and tastings. Game of Thrones fans can visit the Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbour (Lordsport), Larrybane Head (Storm’s End) and Cushenden Caves (the Stormlands).

We can assist walkers to explore the many attractions of the Causeway Coast.

Assistance

We can assist walkers with various aspects of their walking holidays.