Ballintoy to Bushmills
Discover the wonders that lie along the Causeway Coast, including Portballintrae, Portbradden, Dunseverick Harbour and the Giant's Causeway. The route includes walking on beaches, across rocks and along cliff top paths following the Causeway Coast Way, one of the most spectacular cliff top paths in the UK!
| County | Distance | OS Map |
| Antrim | 12.4 miles | 5 |
| Nearest Town | Route Shape | RouteType |
| Bushmills/Ballintoy | Linear | Beach, Coastal |
| Terrain | Grid Reference (Start) | Grid Reference (Finish) |
| Single file track, beaches, unev | D037453 | C936411 |
| Point of Interest | Ballintoy Harbour, White Park Bay, Dunseverick Castle, Benbane Head, the Giant's Causeway. |
| Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty | Antrim Coast & Glens |
| Route Description | From Ballintoy harbour car park, follow the Causeway Coast Way path in a westerly direction, passing low dunes and damp pastures. Cross a stile leading past rock stacks to access the narrow end of White Park Bay Beach. The beach offers easy walking along its length. Continue across uneven rocks and chalk boulders to access Portbradden. Care is needed when crossing these rocks. During high tide, Portbradden can be accessed by joining the main coast road via the track at the youth hostel, and taking the winding road down to Portbradden. Continue along the coast, passing through the arch at Gid Point. Continue along the path passing a series of rocky bays to Dunseverick Harbour. From the lay-by at Dunseverick, follow the path in a westerly direction passing by Portmoon Salmon Fishery, Contham Head and Benbane and Bengore Head. Between Benbane and Bengore is Hamiltons Seat, the highest point on the walk which offers superb views. Continue along the path passing the Bays of Port na Tober, Port na Spaniagh and the Ampitheatre. An optional detour is to take the ‘Shepherd’s steps’ down to the waters edge to experience the hexagonal basalt formations that make the Giant's Causeway a World Heritage Site. From here follow the tarmac path to the visitors centre or follow the cliff top path to the visitors centre. Continue through the car park to the junction of the Causeway Road and the Runkerry Road. Follow the Runkerry Road for 300 meters to arrive at the Giant's Causeway and Bushmills Railway. Follow the path along side the railway track along its length until arrival at the Bushmills Station on the Ballaghmore Road, Bushmills. |
| Getting to the Start (by Public Transport) | Ballintoy Main street and Bushmills Diamond are linked by the Ulsterbus 172 bus route, please see the Translink website for timetable details. |
| Getting to the Start (by Car) | The walk starts at Ballintoy Harbour car park. To get here follow the Main Street west out of Ballintoy for 500 m, and turn right. Ballintoy Harbour car park is 1.6 km away at the end of the Harbour Road. |
| Facilities | Free car parking available at Ballintoy Harbour and Bushmills town centre, or at Bushmills Train Station for a £5 fee. |
| Dogs Allowed on Route | No |
| Accessible Toilet Facilities | No |
| Accessible Terrain | No |
| Accessible Signage | No |
| Publication | N/A |
| Publication Availability | N/A |
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