Gortmore to Hell's Hole - Bellarena
A lovely walk along the cliff top overlooking Benone Beach, Lough Foyle and the Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal
A
Limavady walk
posted on 13/02/23 by Walk NI. Last update : 23/02/23
Description
Start : Gortmore View Point car park onto the Bishop’s Road. (BT49 0LJ)
(S/E) On entering Gortmore view point from the car park spaces.
(1) Turn left immediately and look for a stile to cross the fence near the cliff line (IC 715 342). Head South keeping the fence line on your right with the distinct outline of Binevenagh Mountain and the expanse of Lough Foyle in front of you (visibility permitting of course). You are now walking through the townland of Gortmore.
The trail flows gently downhill through this grazed upland area, after approximately 400 metres you meet a small headland (IC 714 338). (A)
Continue Southwards along the fence line as the alluvial plain of Magilligan spreads out below you to the West. Many of the fields immediately below the cliff feature stone walls and have an undulating topography that contrasts with the larger level fields that stretch down to meet with the Lough Foyle shore. The area around the Duncrun Road is a raised beach and is home to a range of archaeological features.
Keep following the fence line to meet an old iron gate which forms part of a ‘slap’, (IC 711 330).
(2) Turn left (South-East) to follow the fence uphill a short distance and then continue on to sweep round to meet a stile to take you onto the Bishop’s Road (IC 713 326).
You skirt past Hell’s Hole a distinctive gulley which is best seen from the Duncrun Road or Seacoast Road. Please note that Hell’s Hole is not publicly accessible.
(3) Cross the stile and carefully turn left (North) onto the Bishop’s road keeping an eye out for traffic and follow the road north for 1.5 Kms as it climbs gently to return to Gortmore Viewpoint. (S/E)
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 242 m - Car park
- 1 : km 0.02 - alt. 238 m - Fence (turn immediately left)
- 2 : km 1.74 - alt. 213 m - Fence
- 3 : km 1.88 - alt. 231 m - Bishop’s road
- S/E : km 3.44 - alt. 243 m - Car park
Useful Information
Start & parking : Gortmore View Point car park onto the Bishop’s Road. (BT49 0LJ)
Driving to start : To get to the trail head from Limavady – The Bishop’s Road begins a few miles North-East of Limavady town. Take the Windy Hill Road (B201) and turn left onto the Bishop’s Road; Gortmore View Point is approximately 5 miles from this junction.
To get to the trail head from Castlerock/Downhill – Follow Mussendun Road (A2) signed as Causeway Coastal Route. When you descend into Downhill turn left onto Bishop’s Road as it rises steeply. Look for the brown & white signs for Binevenagh Scenic Loop and Gortmore. The viewpoint is approximately 2 ½ miles along this road.
Terrain : Cliff top, open field, quiet road
Public Transport : Translink
Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
(A) Take the time to look Northwards from this point to view one of the largest sand dune systems in the UK & Ireland that forms part of Magilligan Special Area of Conservation as well as the classic land slips below the cliff line.
