DISTANCE

12.5 miles

ROUTE TYPE

Linear

Ballintoy to Bushmills

Antrim

Please note that there are improvement works to a run of steps leading down to the grassland below the road that winds down to Dunseverick Harbour which are to be carried out over the next 4 - 6 weeks. Diversions will be posted directing walkers to an alternative route that will bring them onto the grassland and down toward the sea.

Discover the wonders that lie along the Causeway Coast, including Portballintrae, Portbradden, Dunseverick Harbour and the Giant's Causeway. The route includes walking on beaches, across rocks and along cliff top paths following the Causeway Coast Way, one of the most spectacular cliff top paths in the UK! Please note that there are improvement works to a run of steps leading down to the grassland below the road that winds down to Dunseverick Harbour which are to be carried out over the next 4 - 6 weeks. Diversions will be posted directing walkers to an alternative route that will bring them onto the grassland and down toward the sea.

DISTANCE

12.5 miles

ROUTE TYPE

Linear

OS MAP

5

GRID REFERENCE

D037453

COUNTY

Antrim

NEAREST TOWN

Bushmills/Ballintoy

LANDSCAPE

Beach, Coastal

TERRAIN

Single file track, beaches, unev

ON/OFF PUBLIC ROAD

null

DIFFICULTY

null

TRAIL INFORMATION

From Ballintoy harbour car park, follow the Causeway Coast Way path in a westerly direction, passing low dunes and damp pastures. Cross a stile leading past rock stacks to access the narrow end of White Park Bay Beach. The beach offers easy walking along its length. Continue across uneven rocks and chalk boulders to access Portbradden. Care is needed when crossing these rocks. During high tide, Portbradden can be accessed by joining the main coast road via the track at the youth hostel, and taking the winding road down to Portbradden. Continue along the coast, passing through the arch at Gid Point. Continue along the path passing a series of rocky bays to Dunseverick Harbour. From the lay-by at Dunseverick, follow the path in a westerly direction passing by Portmoon Salmon Fishery, Contham Head and Benbane and Bengore Head. Between Benbane and Bengore is Hamiltons Seat, the highest point on the walk which offers superb views. Continue along the path passing the Bays of Port na Tober, Port na Spaniagh and the Ampitheatre. An optional detour is to take the ‘Shepherd’s steps’ down to the waters edge to experience the hexagonal basalt formations that make the Giant's Causeway a World Heritage Site.

From here follow the tarmac path to the visitors centre or follow the cliff top path to the visitors centre. Continue through the car park to the junction of the Causeway Road and the Runkerry Road. Follow the Runkerry Road for 300 meters to arrive at the Giant's Causeway and Bushmills Railway. Follow the path along side the railway track along its length until arrival at the Bushmills Station on the Ballaghmore Road, Bushmills.

TRAIL INFORMATION

From Ballintoy harbour car park, follow the Causeway Coast Way path in a westerly direction, passing low dunes and damp pastures. Cross a stile leading past rock stacks to access the narrow end of White Park Bay Beach. The beach offers easy walking along its length. Continue across uneven rocks and chalk boulders to access Portbradden. Care is needed when crossing these rocks. During high tide, Portbradden can be accessed by joining the main coast road via the track at the youth hostel, and taking the winding road down to Portbradden. Continue along the coast, passing through the arch at Gid Point. Continue along the path passing a series of rocky bays to Dunseverick Harbour. From the lay-by at Dunseverick, follow the path in a westerly direction passing by Portmoon Salmon Fishery, Contham Head and Benbane and Bengore Head. Between Benbane and Bengore is Hamiltons Seat, the highest point on the walk which offers superb views. Continue along the path passing the Bays of Port na Tober, Port na Spaniagh and the Ampitheatre. An optional detour is to take the ‘Shepherd’s steps’ down to the waters edge to experience the hexagonal basalt formations that make the Giant's Causeway a World Heritage Site.

From here follow the tarmac path to the visitors centre or follow the cliff top path to the visitors centre. Continue through the car park to the junction of the Causeway Road and the Runkerry Road. Follow the Runkerry Road for 300 meters to arrive at the Giant's Causeway and Bushmills Railway. Follow the path along side the railway track along its length until arrival at the Bushmills Station on the Ballaghmore Road, Bushmills.

GETTING TO THE START

The walk starts at Ballintoy Harbour car park. To get here follow the Main Street west out of Ballintoy for 500m, and turn right. Ballintoy Harbour car park is 1.6km away at the end of the Harbour Road.

GALLERY

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