Dunseverick Castle to Ballintoy Harbour, Causeway Coastal Way

Start : Dunseverick Castle, 170 Causeway Rd, Bushmills (BT57 8SY)

(E) From Dunseverick Castle, continue East (left when your back is in the direction of the Castle) along the coastline. After roughly 800m you pass beneath the white houses of Dunseverick village.

(1) The coast is lower now, and you pass over a couple of grassy knolls then climb some stone steps to reach a lane.

(2) From the laneway continue down to Dunseverick Harbour which has newly upgraded toilets and shower facilities (the shower facilities can be booked by contacting the Causeway Coast & Glens BC).

(3) Follow the waymarkers from Dunseverick Harbour towards Gid Point and Portbraddan along the newly upgraded and diverted pathway with stunning views of Bengore Head to the North West and Rathlin Island to the North East. Passing through the natural basalt archway to reach Portbraddan. (around 1.2 Km) You will pass the remains of a salmon fishery and a row of cottages.

(4) Drop onto the rocky shore and turn right towards White Park Bay.

(5) Access to the bay is protected by limestone cliffs that rise from a jumble of slippery boulders. At high tide these boulders may be impassable, but if the tide is in your favour then a few minutes of careful boulder hopping will carry you onto the 2 Km sweep of golden sand.

(6) Cross the beach to its eastern end, where the route skirts around the base of more cliffs. Again, this section may be impassable at high tide.

Otherwise, it is an easy hop across the rock slabs to reach grassy ground. The coastline now shatters into a series of rock arches, stacks and islets.

Follow a footpath, then a track, to reach the car park at Ballintoy harbour. (E)

Start : Dunseverick Castle, 170 Causeway Rd, Bushmills (BT57 8SY)

Parking: Car parks along the walk.
At the arrival :Ballintoy Car Park (near to the harbour), 49 Harbour Rd, Ballycastle (BT54 6NB)

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.
Dunseverick Harbour which has newly upgraded toilets and shower facilities (the shower facilities can be booked by contacting the Causeway Coast & Glens BC).

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

Did You Know?
As well as being a favourite location for summer activities, White Park Bay contains an extensive sand dune system that provides a protected habitat for many species of fauna and flora. This was also one of the first places in Ireland to be settled by Neolithic communities, and numerous tools and tombs have been unearthed around the bay.