Ballintoy Harbour to Ballycastle, Causeway Coastal Way Trail

Start : Ballintoy Car Park (near to the harbour), 49 Harbour Rd, Ballycastle (BT54 6NB)

(S) Leaving Ballintoy may be easier said than done, because this is one of those quiet, picturesque little harbours that compel you to sit down and take it easy for a while. When you’re ready, climb away from the water along the twisting access road (Harbour Road). Walk along this road for around 900 m.

(1) At a bend beside the church, turn left (East) onto a footpath. This grassy trail leads across fields to the cliff top, where it curves past Sheep Island. After around 1.2 Km you arrive at the car park for Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

(2) If you want to visit the bridge, pay your dues at the entrance kiosk and continue east along a well-benched path for 1km. Here you can cross the 20m suspension bridge to Carrick-a-Rede Island. The outpost affords particularly good views over Rathlin Island and Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre. Retrace your steps back to the car park and turn left.

Otherwise, turn right now and climb along the access road, passing an old lime kiln to reach the B15.

(3) Turn left (South-Esat), taking care because there is no footpath and traffic travels quickly along the road.

From here, the route continues on road (B15) for 6 Km towards Ballycastle. For an optional diversion that travels along the quieter Glenstaughey Road, turn right 500m after leaving the access road from Carrick-a-rede. The Glenstaughey Road rejoins the B15 after 3.2km.

(4) After 2.4 Km, turn left onto Carnduff Park. Pass several houses.

(5) Where the road bends left, turn right (East) onto a farm track. This takes you between fields and rejoins the road (B15) near a sign marking the boundary of Ballycastle. Continue straight ahead along the road, descending towards the town centre.

(6) Pass the harbour and seafront amenity area, then keep straight ahead at a roundabout. Follow Quay Road for 800m to reach the historic square known as The Diamond, the official end of the route. (E)

Start : Ballintoy Car Park (near to the harbour), 49 Harbour Rd, Ballycastle (BT54 6NB)

Parking : Car parks along the walk

Terrain : Varried tracks, beach, rock, road

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : Refreshments available at most towns and villages along the route and at several of the tourist attractions.

Hotel at the arrival :
Marine Hotel Ballycastle
Ballycastle Escape
Causeway Coast Apartments
The Beach Boutique Bed and Breakfast

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

Did You Know?
A rope bridge has been raised annually at Carrick-a-Rede for 250 years. The bridge is erected each spring and taken down before the autumn gales, giving salmon fishermen access to their summer nets. The salmon migrate past the island, giving rise to its Gaelic name Carrig-a-Rade, which translates as ‘The Rock in the Road’.