Walking the Causeway Coast Way

The Causeway Coast Way is a 33-mile (53km) waymarked trail along Northern Ireland’s north coast, running from Portstewart Strand in the west to Ballycastle in the east. It passes through some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Europe: the Giant’s Causeway, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge viewpoint, vast empty beaches, and clifftop paths that drop hundreds of feet to the Atlantic.

It’s not the longest long-distance walk in the UK or Ireland. But mile for mile, it might be the most spectacular.

The Basics

Distance: 33 miles / 53 km (some sources say slightly more or less depending on route variations)

Time: Most people walk it in 2 days, with an overnight near the Giant’s Causeway or Ballintoy. Strong walkers can push through in a single long day (12-14 hours), but that would be a punishing pace and you’d miss half the point. Three days is a comfortable, enjoyable option that lets you stop and explore.

Direction: The trail is waymarked in both directions, but walking west to east (Portstewart to Ballycastle) is more popular and slightly better for logistics. This also means the prevailing wind is generally at your back.

Difficulty: Moderate. There are no technical sections, no scrambling, and no serious elevation. But there are a lot of steps (hundreds of them at various points), some uneven cliff paths, and enough up-and-down to make this a proper walk rather than a stroll. Total ascent across the route is roughly 1,200 metres — spread out, but it adds up in your legs.

Waymarking: The route follows the official Ulster Way signage (yellow arrows) and Causeway Coast Way markers. It’s generally well-signed, but a few sections through towns or along roads need attention. Carry a map or have the route on your phone.

Day-by-Day Breakdown

Option 1: Two Days

Day 1: Portstewart to the Giant’s Causeway (approx. 16 miles / 26 km)

You start at Portstewart Strand, a two-mile beach backed by dunes. At low tide you walk along the sand; at high tide there’s a path through the dunes. It’s a generous, wide-open start.

From the east end of the strand, the path climbs to the clifftops and follows them through Portrush — past the East Strand, through the town centre, and out the other side toward the White Rocks. This section is outstanding. The White Rocks are chalk cliffs with sea caves and arches below, and the path runs right along the edge.

Beyond the White Rocks, you pass Dunluce Castle — a ruined medieval castle perched on a cliff stack, separated from the mainland by a chasm. It’s absurdly dramatic. You can visit the castle (small entry fee) or just admire it from the path.

The trail continues through Bushmills (where you can detour to the Old Bushmills Distillery if you want) and then reaches the Giant’s Causeway. By this point you’ve been walking for 6-8 hours, and arriving at the Causeway on foot, from the clifftop path, is far more satisfying than arriving by car. See our guide to everything you need to know about the Giant’s Causeway for full visiting details. The hexagonal basalt columns appear below you, and you descend to walk among them.

Overnight options near the Causeway include Bushmills (2 miles inland — the Bushmills Inn is excellent if you want to treat yourself, or there are several B&Bs) or the Causeway Hotel right at the site.

Day 2: Giant’s Causeway to Ballycastle (approx. 17 miles / 27 km)

This is the wilder day. From the Causeway, the path follows the cliff edge eastward through increasingly remote scenery. You pass the Amphitheatre (a horseshoe of basalt columns), the Organ (vertical columns that look like organ pipes), and several bays only accessible on foot.

The path drops down to Dunseverick Castle (barely a ruin — just a fragment of wall on a headland, but the location is superb) and then follows the coast to Whitepark Bay, a gorgeous crescent of white sand backed by grassland. On a sunny day, this is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland.

Beyond Whitepark Bay, you climb to Ballintoy village and its tiny harbour — a jumble of rocks and a small quay that was used as the Iron Islands harbour in Game of Thrones. Good for a tea stop.

The route continues through Larrybane (views of Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge — you can cross it for a fee, but the view from the path is free and nearly as good) and then enters a long section of clifftop walking toward Kinbane Castle and finally Fair Head, though the official Causeway Coast Way actually cuts south to Ballycastle before Fair Head.

The final stretch into Ballycastle takes you down into the town, which has a good beach, a few pubs, and a Translink bus back to wherever you started.

Option 2: Three Days

If you’d rather take it slower:

• Day 1: Portstewart to Bushmills / Giant’s Causeway (16 miles)
• Day 2: Giant’s Causeway to Ballintoy (9 miles) — short day, time to explore the Causeway properly, swim at Whitepark Bay, visit Ballintoy Harbour
• Day 3: Ballintoy to Ballycastle (8 miles) — another short day with time for Carrick-a-Rede and a leisurely finish

Three days is arguably the best way to do it. The middle day gives you time to actually sit on the Causeway stones, paddle in the sea, and eat a proper lunch rather than wolfing down a sandwich while walking.

Terrain and Conditions

The path surface varies. Some sections are paved or boardwalked (around the Giant’s Causeway), some are grassy clifftop tracks, and some are rough and rocky. After rain, several sections become muddy, especially between Dunseverick and Whitepark Bay.

Steps are a feature. The path goes up and down constantly — not by huge amounts, but enough to make your knees aware. Sections around the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede have particularly long flights of steps.

Exposure: Much of the route is fully exposed to wind and weather. There’s very little shelter along the cliffs. If a storm comes through, you’ll feel it. That said, the trail is safe in most conditions — there’s no risk of avalanche or serious river crossings. Just dress for it.

When to Go

May through September is the recommended season. May and June have the longest daylight (sunset after 10pm in June, which gives you enormous flexibility), and the wildflowers along the cliffs are spectacular. July and August are warmer but busier, especially around the Giant’s Causeway itself.

September is underrated — the summer crowds thin out, the weather is often still decent, and the light is beautiful.

October through April — the trail is walkable year-round, but winter brings short days, frequent rain, and some sections can be slippery. The Causeway and main attractions are still accessible, but the full trail is a harder proposition.

Rain is likely at any time of year. Northern Ireland gets a lot of it. Build this into your expectations rather than hoping to dodge it.

What to Pack

• Waterproof jacket and trousers — non-negotiable
• Walking boots or trail shoes — broken in and waterproof
• Layers — clifftop wind can be cold even in summer
• Map or GPS — OS 1:50,000 Sheet 5 covers the whole route; download the GPX as backup
• Water and food — very few shops between towns; carry at least a litre and a full day’s food
• Sun protection and small first aid kit — blisters are the main risk
• Cash — some smaller cafes along the route don’t take cards

Accommodation

Book ahead in summer, especially for the one or two nights along the route. Options include:

Portstewart: Several B&Bs on the seafront. The York is a classic.

Bushmills / Giant’s Causeway area: The Bushmills Inn (pricier but lovely), the Causeway Hotel (right at the Causeway), Whitepark House (B&B near Whitepark Bay — highly rated), and several other B&Bs. The Ballylinny Hostel is the budget option.

Ballintoy: Limited options — a couple of B&Bs and a campsite. Book early.

Ballycastle: More choice here. Marine Hotel, several B&Bs, and the Ballycastle Backpackers hostel.

Baggage Transfer

If you don’t want to carry a full pack, baggage transfer services operate along the Causeway Coast. Walk NI and a few local operators will move your bags between overnight stops for around £10-15 per bag per day. This makes a significant difference to how much you enjoy the walk, especially on the longer day.

Arrange it at least a few days in advance during peak season.

Getting There and Back

To the start (Portstewart): Bus from Belfast to Coleraine (or train), then local bus to Portstewart. About 2 hours total. See how to get to Northern Ireland and our guide to things to do in Belfast if you’re starting from the capital.

From the finish (Ballycastle): Bus to Belfast, roughly 2.5 hours. The Rambler bus (seasonal) also connects the Causeway Coast towns.

Leaving a car: If you’re driving, it’s easiest to park in Ballycastle (free parking along the seafront) and take the bus to Portstewart, then walk back to your car.

If you’d prefer to drive this coast rather than walk it, see our Causeway Coastal Route driving guide. For another great walk in Northern Ireland, consider our Mourne Mountains hiking guide. The walk itself is a top budget-friendly activity — it costs nothing but shoe leather.

In 33 miles, you get a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a medieval castle ruin, half a dozen beaches, basalt cliffs, a rope bridge, and two pretty harbour villages. You don’t need specialist gear or mountain experience — just waterproofs, good shoes, and a willingness to keep going when the rain comes sideways. After 33 miles of this coastline, you’ll understand why people keep coming back.