Heritage Railway path - Bushfoot

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This short circular walk near Bushfoot Golf Club in the North coast resort of Portballintrae takes in stunning coastal scenery against the backdrop of the River Bush, Runkerry Strand, the Giants Causeway and Bushmills Heritage Railway.

This walk can easily be extended to provide coastal off-road access to the Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland’s only World Heritage Site.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 1.69 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 15 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 15 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 17 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m
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Photos

Sea
Threequarter Footbridge
River
Boardwalk

Description of the walk

Start : Council’s car park on Bushfoot Road, adjacent to Bushfoot Golf Club. (BT57 8WB)

(S/E) Leave the car park and proceed inland (South-East) along the laneway towards the Heritage Railway line. Take care crossing the railway line (A) and turn left (North-North-East) onto the shared use path (Part of National Cycle Network Route 93).

Proceed along the path towards the River Bush (around 500 m). Take care crossing the golf course – observe the warning signage and give way to golfers.

(1) Having crossed the River Bush, after about 100m turn left onto a sandy track and proceed over sandy grassland keeping the river to your left.

Follow the boardwalk along the edge of the river and follow the path towards the wooden footbridge, known locally as the Threequarter Footbridge.

(2) Having crossed the bridge follow the path for approx. 100m and then turn left (West) along the signed public footpath. Follow this path to the golf club car park and proceed to the starting point in the adjacent Council car park. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 16 m - Parking
  2. 1 : km 0.68 - alt. 3 m - River Bush
  3. 2 : km 1.31 - alt. 3 m - Threequarter Footbridge
  4. S/E : km 1.69 - alt. 16 m - Parking

Practical information

Start : Council’s car park on Bushfoot Road, adjacent to Bushfoot Golf Club. (BT57 8WB)

Driving to start : Follow signs for Portballintrae. When approaching the village from Bushmills along Ballaghmore Road, turn right into Bushfoot Road (signed for Bushfoot Golf Club). At the end of this dead-end road turn right into Council’s car park (walks start point). The car park on the left is Bushfoot Golf Club’s private car park.

Terrain : Variety of coastal Walks

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : Refreshments and toilets available in Bushmills and Portballintrae

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

In the nearby area

The Bushmills & Giants Causeway Heritage Railway

(A) The railway has been built to the Irish narrow gauge of three feet (0.915m) and runs for 2 miles along the track bed of the former Giant’s Causeway Tram. The tramway opened in 1883 and was hailed as the world’s first commercially run ‘hydro-electric’ powered tram system. It originally ran from Portrush to Bushmills with a later extension added to the Giants Causeway. The tramway ran for 65 years before finally closing down in 1949.

Other walks in the area

Walking Portballintrae to The Giant’s Causeway - Causeway Coastal Way

Tourist office
↔3.99 km ↗+69 m ↘-27 m ◔1h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Coleraine
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.

Walking Portballintrae to the Giant's Causeway

Walker
↔6.67 km ↗+53 m ↘-54 m ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Coleraine
Lovely coastal walk from Portballintrae to the Giants Causeway visitor centre and back. Experience the picturesque harbour, fabulous coastal views and sandunes. The route takes you back to Port Tara Holiday home via Bushfoot golf club, a perfect stop for a refreshing drink in the public bar that has the most amazing coastal views.

Walking Portballintrae to Dunluce Castle

Walker
↔2.92 km ↗+43 m ↘-9 m ◔0h 55 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Coleraine
This walk is from Portballintrae, going past Port Tara Holiday home through Portballintrae and along the coastal road to Dunluce Castle. You will see stunning views of the rugged North Antrim coast and the historic ruins of Dunluce castle. You can visit the Castle and there is a lovely coffee shop to stop for a break.

Walking Port Tara Short Portballintrae

Walker
↔2.07 km ↗+14 m ↘-15 m ◔0h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Coleraine
A short walk from Port Tara Holiday Home around Portballintrae, ideal for walking the dog or if you don't have a lot of time but want to see some stunning sea views.

Walking Giant’s Causeway to Dunseverick Castle, Causeway Coastal Way

Tourist office
↔8.12 km ↗+519 m ↘-547 m ◔3h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Moyle
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.

Walking The Giant's Causeway

Tourist office
The Giant's Causeway
↔3.66 km ↗+124 m ↘-115 m ◔1h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Moyle
Giant’s Causeway, renowned for its polygonal columns of layered basalt, is the only World Heritage Site in N Ireland. Resulting from a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, this is the focal point for a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has attracted visitors for centuries. It harbours a wealth of local and natural history. Other noteworthy items include: a Spanish Armada shipwreck site (‘La Girona’) & many traces of the legendary giant – Finn MacCool. Be careful Fee applies.

Walking Dunseverick Castle to Ballintoy Harbour, Causeway Coastal Way

Tourist office
↔6.69 km ↗+34 m ↘-54 m ◔2h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Moyle
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.

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.

For more walks, use our search engine .

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