Causeway Coast Way, 8-day Walking Tour

We supply you with all the information needed to travel from your point of arrival to where you will spend your first night in Cushendall. Your walking tour of the Glens of Antrim begins in the village of Cushendall, better known as the capital of the glens. Cushendall is a charming village that nestles in the heart of the rolling green hills, a stone’s throw from the sea of Moyle and it is here that you will spend your first two nights.

Your adventure begins with a walk in Glenariff Forest Park. The vast variety of the landscape, woodlands and habitats that are to be found within Glenariff provide you with a truly superb walk through nature. Enjoy the tranquility and spectacular views down the glen, across the sea of Moyle and beyond to the Scottish Mountains.

Distance 17km (11mi). Ascents 330m (1,000ft). Approximate walking time 5 – 6 hrs.

Overnight Cushendall

You will be transferred to the beginning of your walk at Orra Beg, an intersection of the Moyle Way that takes you north to Ballycastle along the Moyle Way. This section of the trail is mixed between forest trails, quiet country roads and open mountains. From Orra Beg the trail takes you along a forest track to reach the open mountainside of Agangarrive Hill. From here you follow the banks of the Glenshesk River to join the Breen Forest Trail, a Nature Reserve and Woodlands.

From here the trail leads you along a quiet country road along the townland of Glenshesk, the most northern of the 9 glens. You are rewarded with fantastic views of the Glenshesk River and Coolaveely Forest on your right and Knocklayd Mountain on your left. The final section of the day takes you through Ballycastle Forest and finally into the town of Ballycastle where you spend the next two nights.

Distance 17.6km (11mi). Ascents 579m (1,737ft). Approximate walking time 5 – 6 hours.

On Rathlin Island, we give you the choice of two walks, depending on your preferred walking distance. Both walks are interesting and stunningly beautiful. A 45-minute ferry ride takes you from Ballycastle to Rathlin, costing around £12 per person return.

Rathlin Island is a rare place of wild and natural beauty, with extraordinary environmental values and social interests. Shaped like a boot, the island is 10km(6mi) long and almost 1.6km (1mi) wide. Three lighthouses stand as monuments to its wild coastline while over 40 recorded shipwrecks lie in the depths of its underwater cliffs.

The island boasts an array of flora and fauna, a favourite of guests being the puffins who are found here in the spring and summer. Guillemots and Kittiwakes also make their home here along the steep on-shore cliffs.

You return to Ballycastle on the afternoon ferry. Depending on which walk you take, today’s hiking distance will vary widely. Routes are marked clearly in your tour pack so you can decide the distance you would like to travel.

Approximate Distance 11-14km (7-9mi). Approximate Ascents 200m (600ft). Approximate walking time 4 – 5 hours.

Stay overnight in Ballycastle

Ballycastle is the northern gateway to the Glens of Antrim and dates back to sometime around 1565 when a son of Sorley Boy McDonnell, the first Earl of Antrim, built a castle in the centre of the old part of the town. Nothing of this castle remains today, but this charming area is definitely worth walking around before you leave for Ballintoy.

After leaving Ballycastle you follow a country road to Clare Woods. Following a short forest trail, you continue on quiet country roads that take you through the farming community of Craignagolman and Ballaghcravey. You arrive at the world-famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. This is an unforgettable, famous attraction in the region. With a historic rope bridge spanning an 80ft chasm, here you can test whether or not you’re good with heights! If you wish to cross, tickets can be purchased at the site. Otherwise you can explore the nearby country.

Distance 14km (8.75mi). Ascents 240m (720ft). Approximate walking time 4 – 5 hours.

This is probably one of the best coastal walks in Europe, if not in the world! The day offers you a unique and awe-inspiring array of scenery, flora and fauna. The trail from Ballintoy passes along the golden sandy beach of White Park Bay, past the ruins of Dunseverick Castle and along a cliff-top path that takes you by Benbane Head to the World Heritage Site and Nature Reserve of the Giants Causeway.

Distance 17.6km (11mi). Ascents 977m (2,931ft). Approximate walking time 5 – 6 hours.

Your final day takes you along the coastal road overlooking Binbane Cove, Dunluce Castle, The Burnfoot and The White Rocks, as you head toward Portrush. Make a descent down to Curran Strand from where you have very nice views over a series of small islands that lie a short distance north of the strand — the two biggest being the Big Skerries and Little Skerries. Then it’s into the town of Portrush with a chance to do a little exploring and shopping before starting the final leg of your journey into Portstewart.

This is a beautiful section of the trail and a perfect finish to what we hope will have been a memorable week of hiking in the Antrim Glens and Coastal Path.

Distance 19km (12mi). Ascents 778m (2,334ft). Approximate walking time 5 – 6 hours.

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, so after breakfast you will commence your homeward journey. We supply you with all the travel details to get from Portstewart to your next location.