Start : Portrush Harbour, N Pier, Portrush (BT56 8DF)
(S) Continue past Portrush harbour and onto a path that runs around Ramore Head for around 1 Km. This is a great viewpoint, with Dunluce Castle clearly visible on the cliff top some 4 Km to the East.
(1) Now follow the path around to Curran Strand, or East Strand as it is known locally for around 1.6 Km.
(2) Set out (West-North-West) along the beach, following the sand for over 2 Km to reach the parking area at White Rocks. This area derives its name from the striking limestone cliffs that line the back of the beach.
(3) Follow the route markers up to the A2 road. Continue alongside.
(4) Turn left beside the tarmac, towards Dunluce Castle. Although you’ll be walking along a pavement beside a busy road for the next 3 Km, fantastic coastal views keep your progress interesting.
(5) After 2 Km, you can take a detour left onto a short access lane to reach Dunluce Castle.
Perched spectacularly on a rocky promontory high above the sea, it’s well worth pausing on your journey to explore the site properly. A quick exploration of the grounds will reveal the sea cave that completely undercuts the castle, once providing a personal disembarkation point for seafaring visitors.
Then, return to the A2 road and continue to follow it left (North-East then East). You soon pass a place where the carriageways split, then, 500m later, reach a left turn towards Portballintrae.
(6) Follow this road (B145) into the heart of the village, passing round the back of the central cove and harbour.
(7) Continue along B145 for around 500 m to a road junction with Beach road.
(8) Turn left onto beach road to walk to a car park above a larger beach, which is known as Runkerry Beach. (E)
