Giant’s Causeway to Dunseverick Castle, Causeway Coastal Way

Start : The Giant’s Causeway, 44 Causeway Rd, Bushmills (BT57 8SU)

(S) From the Giant’s Causeway visitor centre you have two options.

Option 1 : If you have visited the causeway before, simply continue along the cliff-top path, also signed here as the Red Trail.
Option 2 : If you haven’t been here before and want to explore the shoreline formations, turn left and descend the flight of steps, following the Blue Trail beside the access road.

If you decided to take the second option, explore the main cluster of columns at your leisure, then continue East along a low-level path, past the formation known as The Organ. Pass the Organ to reach another set of steps on the right.

(1) These are the Shepherd’s Steps, and a steep climb to the top will reunite you with the cliff path.

(2) At the top of the steps, the cliff path now continues left (East) along the seaward side of a fence, passing above a series of precipitous coves for around 4 Km. The second of these is known as Port na Spaniagh and contains the wreck of the Girona, one of the ships from the ill-fated Spanish Armada. With height established approximately 100m above the ocean, the path undulates past the dramatic rock scenery around Benbane Head.

(3) Afterwards, Hamilton’s Seat, at the tip of the headland, marks the highest point of the entire route.

(4) Around 900 m later, you now begin a steady descent South-East, passing above Port Moon to reach Dunseverick Castle (A). The end of this part.(E)

Start : The Giant’s Causeway, 44 Causeway Rd, Bushmills (BT57 8SU)

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.

Hotels and Airbnb at the arrival :
Bayview Farm Holiday Cottages
Dunseverick Ramblers Rest

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

Did You Know?
The Girona was one of 24 ships from the 1588 Spanish Armada that were wrecked along the Irish coast. Of the estimated 1300 people on board, less than 10 survived. In the 1960s a team of divers investigated the wreck and salvaged the greatest haul of Armada treasure ever recovered, which is now on display in Belfast’s Ulster Museum.

(A) Dunseverick Castle: Little remains of this ancient promontory fort, which is reputed to have been at the end of one of the five roads emanating from Tara. Later St Patrick was to bless the castle, although it was eventually sacked by Vikings and fell into ruin, being replaced as a local stronghold by Dunluce.