Causeway Coastal Way trail - From Portstewart to Ballycastle 6 Sections

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The Causeway Coastal Way trail goes from Portstewart to Ballycastle, passes through the Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a World Heritage Site and several Areas of Special Scientific Interest. It includes views of wide bays, sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and off-shore rocks.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 52.80 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,022 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,034 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 144 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S

    Portstewart to Portrush - Causeway Coastal Way Trail

    ↔9.08 km ↗55 m ↘68 m
    This 1rst section of the route starts with a popular stretch of path that carries you between two Victorian seaside resorts.
    View the route
  2. 2

    Portrush to Portballintrae - Causeway Coastal Way Trail

    ↔10.83 km ↗49 m ↘45 m
    This is the 2nd section of the Causeway Coastal Way Trail. A sweeping beach and a medieval castle are highlights of this section.
    View the route
  3. 3

    Portballintrae to The Giant’s Causeway - Causeway Coastal Way

    ↔3.99 km ↗69 m ↘27 m
    This 3rd section of the Causeway Coastal Way is entirely off-road, bringing you round a beach and onto the high, wild coastline that characterises the middle part of the route.
    View the route
  4. 4

    Giant’s Causeway to Dunseverick Castle, Causeway Coastal Way

    ↔8.12 km ↗519 m ↘547 m
    This is the 4th section of the Causeway Coastal Way. A grassy path continues along the cliff tops and over the route’s highest point.
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  5. 5

    Dunseverick Castle to Ballintoy Harbour, Causeway Coastal Way

    ↔6.69 km ↗34 m ↘54 m
    This 5th section follows cliffs and beaches. ⚠️To enjoy this section at its best, check the tide times before you set out and avoid walking past White Park Bay at high tide. If the tide is high, you’ll have to follow the A2 road all the way from Dunseverick village to Ballintoy.
    View the route
  6. E

    Ballintoy Harbour to Ballycastle, Causeway Coastal Way Trail

    ↔13.87 km ↗288 m ↘289 m
    This is the 6th and last section of the Causeway Coastal Way Trail. Visit the thrilling Carrick-a Rede Rope Bridge before following a road to the finish.
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Notes

Start : Portstewart Golf Club, 117 Strand Rd, Portstewart (BT55 7PG).

Parking at the start : From Coleraine, take the A2 to Portstewart. At the junction by the sea front, turn left. There are two car parks between here and the start of the walk at Tubber Patrick. 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.

Dog Policy : Dogs must be kept on leads

Note : Please note: Diversion via Glenstaughey Road – This is an interim measure to address the issue of the on road section between Ballintoy and Ballycastle on the Causeway Coast Way, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council will continue to work towards an off road coastal path.
Please be aware that this walking route passes through areas of open land such as working farmland and tidal zones. Livestock may be present and ground conditions may be uneven or wet underfoot. Please refer to the ‘Walk Safely’ information that can be found at the link below.

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

Worth a visit

The Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Carrick-a-rede

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

Other walks in the area

Walking Portstewart to Portrush - Causeway Coastal Way Trail

Tourist office
↔9.08 km ↗+55 m ↘-68 m ◔2h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Coleraine
This 1rst section of the route starts with a popular stretch of path that carries you between two Victorian seaside resorts.

Walking Portstewart strand - Sand dune and Estuary Trail

Tourist office
Portstewart strand - Sand dune and Estuary Trail
↔6.19 km ↗+6 m ↘-6 m ◔1h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Coleraine
Portstewart Strand, locally known as ‘The Strand’, has long welcomed visitors to its golden sands. It has the European Blue Flag award for its water quality and beach/dune management & is very popular with families in the summer months and with walkers throughout the year. What is less known about Portstewart Strand, are the towering sand dunes (containing some of Ireland’s tallest dunes) and declared as an Area of Special Scientific Interest, together with the adjoining Bann Estuary. From here the River Bann (N Ireland’s longest river) ends its journey, on entering the North Atlantic. Please note that National Trust entrance pricing applies for this walk.

Walking Mussenden Estate - Castlerock

Tourist office
Mussenden Estate - Castlerock
↔2.33 km ↗+53 m ↘-50 m ◔0h 50 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Coleraine
Set on a wild and rugged headland with fabulous clifftop walks and views over Ireland’s North Coast is the Downhill Estate, laid out in the late 18th century by the eccentric Earl and Bishop, Frederick Hervey.

Walking West Bay and Ramore Head Trail - Portrush

Tourist office
West Bay and Ramore Head Trail - Portrush
↔4.98 km ↗+9 m ↘-9 m ◔1h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Coleraine
Enjoy a circular coastal walk around Portrush peninsula, taking in West Strand Beach, Portrush Harbour, Ramore Head, the Arcadia area and East Strand promenade. The walk is entirely along surfaced footpaths, and generally flat, except for the Ramore Head section. Steps encountered at harbour section.

Walking Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne - Castlerock

Tourist office
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne - Castlerock
↔2.82 km ↗+34 m ↘-28 m ◔0h 55 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Coleraine
There cannot be a more wild and dramatic headland in Northern Ireland than Downhill Estate. With fabulous views that stretch over the whole of the North Coast of Ireland and open windswept cliff top walks, it is not surprising that the estate is part of the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is a well known icon.

Walking Portrush to Portballintrae - Causeway Coastal Way Trail

Tourist office
↔10.83 km ↗+49 m ↘-45 m ◔3h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Coleraine
This is the 2nd section of the Causeway Coastal Way Trail. A sweeping beach and a medieval castle are highlights of this section.

Walking Christie Park and Somerset - Riverside in Coleraine

Tourist office
Christie Park and Somerset - Riverside in Coleraine
↔3.77 km ↗+8 m ↘-8 m ◔1h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Coleraine
Pleasant riverside walk along surfaced footpaths, starting in the centre of Coleraine and finishing close to The Cutts area and opposite the historic Mountsandel Fort. The walk passes through two Council parks, both with different habitats that are managed in entirely different ways.

Walking Benone Strand - Magilligan

Tourist office
↔8.79 km ↗+163 m ↘-166 m ◔3h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Limavady
Benone Strand forms part of one of Ireland’s longest beaches. A Blue Flag beach, it is popular throughout the year for a variety of outdoor activities and events with great views along the North Coast, to Inishowen in Donegal and to Scotland.

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