43 miles
Linear
Coast Road
A rural winding road that hugs the coastline. Sea views are on one side and rugged steep hillsides are on the other. (the route follows the Causeway Coastal Route so traffic is heavy during summer and holiday periods).
TRAIL INFORMATION
Make sure to have provisions before you start as there are no shops for 11 miles. From Larne Leisure Centre follow the promenade path with the sea on your right up round by Brown's Bay Beach for almost 1 mile until you get to the road. At the road turn right and continue northwards. This is the Antrim Coast Road. Pass Carnfunnock Country Park on your left after about 4 miles, then pass through Ballygally, Glenarm (keep to the right and go over the Glenarm river bridge) Carnlough and onto Waterfoot.
From Waterfoot turn right along the A2 Coastal Route and continue to the Village of Cushendall. After you cross the bridge over the River Dall turn left keeping on the A2 Coastal Route and follow the Coastal Route signs to Ballycastle passing the National Trust Village of Cushendun over the spectacular Glendun Viaduct past Ballypatrick Forest through Ballyvoy until you cross the River Margy Bridge and turn right into Ballycastle. This route will take you across moorland and mountains.
TRAIL INFORMATION
Make sure to have provisions before you start as there are no shops for 11 miles. From Larne Leisure Centre follow the promenade path with the sea on your right up round by Brown's Bay Beach for almost 1 mile until you get to the road. At the road turn right and continue northwards. This is the Antrim Coast Road. Pass Carnfunnock Country Park on your left after about 4 miles, then pass through Ballygally, Glenarm (keep to the right and go over the Glenarm river bridge) Carnlough and onto Waterfoot.
From Waterfoot turn right along the A2 Coastal Route and continue to the Village of Cushendall. After you cross the bridge over the River Dall turn left keeping on the A2 Coastal Route and follow the Coastal Route signs to Ballycastle passing the National Trust Village of Cushendun over the spectacular Glendun Viaduct past Ballypatrick Forest through Ballyvoy until you cross the River Margy Bridge and turn right into Ballycastle. This route will take you across moorland and mountains.
GETTING TO THE START
Larne Leisure Centre is on Tower Road, Larne. From the south on the A8, follow the signs for the Causeway Coast Route. At the crossroads and traffic lights turn right down Curran Road and after a few hundred metres take the road on the left signed for the Leisure Centre where it is only a few hundred metres along on your left. Coming from the north on the A2, keep on the Coast Road until you get to the crossroads and traffic lights. Here turn left onto Curran Road and after a few hundred metres turn left onto Tower Road. Bus routes are numbers 162, 252.
- Facilities There are several toilet facilities all along the Coast Road. Larne LC, Drains Bay, Carnfunnock Country Park, Ballygally, Glenarm, Carnlough and Waterfoot. There are spaces for disabled parking at all locations. The Leisure Centre has snacks for sale. Carnfunnock has a cafe open in summer, Glenarm, Carnlough and Waterfoot have shops.
- Getting to the Start Larne Leisure Centre is on Tower Road, Larne. From the south on the A8, follow the signs for the Causeway Coast Route. At the crossroads and traffic lights turn right down Curran Road and after a few hundred metres take the road on the left signed for the Leisure Centre where it is only a few hundred metres along on your left. Coming from the north on the A2, keep on the Coast Road until you get to the crossroads and traffic lights. Here turn left onto Curran Road and after a few hundred metres turn left onto Tower Road. Bus routes are numbers 162, 252.
- Traffic Information Usually quiet, Sundays can be popular with motorcyclists. (The route between Garron Point and Ballycastle is very busy with traffic all year round)
- Bike Hire Providers Bushmills Cycle Hire Rest-A-While Bushmills Email: restawhile.net@gmail.com Phone: 028-207-32869 http://www.bushmillscyclehire.co.uk
- Accessible Facilities There are many places along the route to stop but there is no dedicated cycle lane and single file is advised particularly where sightlines are limited.
