5.6 miles
Loop
Strenuous
Portballintrae Causeway Loop
A moderate walk running from Portballintrae to the Giant's Causeway, taking in beach, cliff and rock formations.
TRAIL INFORMATION
This route starts in the council maintained car park at the end of Beach Road in Portballintrae. Follow the path that leads from the car park down towards the beach. Bear left across Three Quarter Mile Bridge that crosses the Bush River. Bear left through the sand dunes to emerge onto Runkerry Beach, and follow the beach along its length.
At the top of the beach, bear left onto a path that runs along the front of Runkerry house to follow the cliff top path northwards. Follow this path along the coast until reaching the Causeway Hotel and the newly refurbished National Trust Giants Causeway Visitors Centre. The visitors centre is a ‘green’ building in that it is built into the ground and the roof is covered with grass that can be walked over. Cross this building and take the steps down to the tarmac path that leads downhill to the Giants Causeway rock formations. A shuttle bus for those with limited mobility operates on this path. Continue past the rock formations along the path into the next bay. Bear right at a path junction in this bay before reaching the rock formation known as ‘The Organ’. You are now on the Shepherds Path. Follow this path uphill (following the red route) and climb the steps that lead to the cliff top path. Bear right at the top of the steps and continue back to the visitors centre.
Leave the visitors centre through the car park, emerging onto the road. Bear right onto the Runkerry Road before the junction with the main Causeway Road. Turn right after 250m into the railway carpark, and join the path that leads away from the station along the railway. After the path begins to drift away from the beach, bear right onto a sand dune path before meeting the Bush River again. The paths through the sand dunes all lead back to the Three Quarter Mile Bridge, which you cross to get back to the car park at start of the walk.
TRAIL INFORMATION
This route starts in the council maintained car park at the end of Beach Road in Portballintrae. Follow the path that leads from the car park down towards the beach. Bear left across Three Quarter Mile Bridge that crosses the Bush River. Bear left through the sand dunes to emerge onto Runkerry Beach, and follow the beach along its length.
At the top of the beach, bear left onto a path that runs along the front of Runkerry house to follow the cliff top path northwards. Follow this path along the coast until reaching the Causeway Hotel and the newly refurbished National Trust Giants Causeway Visitors Centre. The visitors centre is a ‘green’ building in that it is built into the ground and the roof is covered with grass that can be walked over. Cross this building and take the steps down to the tarmac path that leads downhill to the Giants Causeway rock formations. A shuttle bus for those with limited mobility operates on this path. Continue past the rock formations along the path into the next bay. Bear right at a path junction in this bay before reaching the rock formation known as ‘The Organ’. You are now on the Shepherds Path. Follow this path uphill (following the red route) and climb the steps that lead to the cliff top path. Bear right at the top of the steps and continue back to the visitors centre.
Leave the visitors centre through the car park, emerging onto the road. Bear right onto the Runkerry Road before the junction with the main Causeway Road. Turn right after 250m into the railway carpark, and join the path that leads away from the station along the railway. After the path begins to drift away from the beach, bear right onto a sand dune path before meeting the Bush River again. The paths through the sand dunes all lead back to the Three Quarter Mile Bridge, which you cross to get back to the car park at start of the walk.
GETTING TO THE START
- Point of Interest Portballintrae Bay and Harbour, Runkerry Point, the Giants Causeway
- Facilities Car park available at Portballintrae, as well as a shop and seasonal cafe. The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility: – Disabled parking – Portballintrae – Visitors Centre – Giants Causeway
- Dog Policy Dogs must be kept on lead
- Accessibility Information
Accessibility Grade: Grade 5 Terrain: Beach, formal and cliff top path Toilet Facility: No Signage: No - Getting to the Start The start of the route is at the car park at the end of Beach Road in Portballintrae. Continue in an easterly direction past Portballintrae Bay and Harbour to arrive here.
- Public Transport Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
- Trail Grade Strenuous TRAIL GRADE DISCLAIMER
The trail grades shown on OutmoreNI.com and WalkNI.com are based on desk-based assessments of available trail information. The categories—Easy, Moderate, Strenuous, and Very Strenuous—follow the Sustainable Trails Development Guide grading system.
These grades are provided as a general guide to help users choose trails that may be suitable for them. They are not a substitute for official, on-site grading or safety information provided by the relevant land manager, which may differ from the information on these websites.
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Conditions on trails can change, and the actual environment may differ from what is described online. Users should always exercise their own judgment, take appropriate precautions, and remain responsible for their own safety and conduct at all times.
All information provided on OutmoreNI.com and WalkNI.com is intended as a guide only and should be used alongside your own experience, awareness, and careful decision-making.
Challenging routes typically on rough and uneven terrain, with steep and sustained climbs and descents and frequent. Expect man-made and natural obstacles that are unavoidable such as large boulders, exposed tree roots and irregular steps. A high level of fitness and self-reliance is recommended.
