Ulster Way

Dungiven to Castlerock incorporating the North Sperrins Way

From the main spine of the Sperrin Mountains a broad ridge of rolling upland stretches north all the way to the north coast. The North Sperrins Way makes up the majority of this route following the crest of this ridge from the historic town of Dungiven all the way to Swans's Bridge near Binevenagh. The Ulster Way section then continues further to Castlerock on the north coast. Along the way the route enjoys fine views and a variety of walking, from open mountainside to forest trails and quiet roads.

CountyDistanceOS MapTerrain
Londonderry37.5 miles (60 km)Sheets 4, 7 & 8Starting with rural roads (some of which can be busy at times), moving onto open moorland and extensive forest trails before finishing with rural roads into Castlerock.
Start Town / VillageFinish Town / VillageGrid ReferencesPoints of Interest
DungivenCastlerockStarts at C694087
Ends at C773360
Dungiven, Benbradagh, Binevenagh, Binevenagh AONB, Downhill, Castlerock
Back top Map

Accommodation and Useful Facilities

Refreshments are available at the start and finish of the route in Dungiven and Castlerock. However this is a long route with no refreshment stops along the way – walkers should carry provisions accordingly. There are a few B&Bs and Guesthouses in Dungiven at the start with a greater selection at the end in Castlerock. There is also no accommodation along this section of the route so walkers should arrange collection for accommodation off-route in Limavady or Coleraine area.

Click on an item in the table below for more details and information.

Town, Villages, and Points of Interest

TypeNameAbout
Point of InterestBenbradaghBenbradagh Mountain situated a mile or so off the ...
Parking

Benbradagh Mountain situated a mile or so off the Ulsterway offers fantastic views and is well worth the diversion.

Grid ReferenceC730113
Point of InterestBinevenaghPart of the northernmost outcropping of the Antrim ...

Part of the northernmost outcropping of the Antrim Plateau formed when around 60million years ago, molten lava poured out over the surface. The basalt crags towering above the flat coastal plain of Magilligan are an impressive site. From the top magnificent view of Lough Foyle and Donegal can be obtained on a clear day.

Grid ReferenceC690308
WebsitesCauseway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust - Binevenagh AONB
Northern Ireland Environment Agency - Binevenagh
Point of InterestDownhillDownhill marks the start of several miles of golden ...
Parking

Downhill marks the start of several miles of golden sandy beach, the delicate dune system is now preserved as a Geological Area of Special Scientific Interest and is an excellent spot for bathing, surfing and walking.

The area is also renowned for the dramatically sited Downhill Demesne which, together with Bishop’s Gate and the endlessly photographed Mussenden Temple were built in 1772 by the globe-trotting Earl of Bristol. The original entrance to the Castle, Bishop’s Gate, now leads to Portvantage Glen, a tranquil park with a nature trail and fish pond. Downhill Forest, boasts a collection of rare trees and two sparkling waterfalls, as well as a mound known as Dungannon Hill, the remains of a prehistoric settlement.

Grid ReferenceC750358
WebsitesThe National Trust - Downhill
Town / VillageCastlerockCastlerock is a small coastal town with a relaxed ...
Bus stationCafé /RestaurantFresh WaterParkingPublic houseShopTelephoneToiletsTrain station

Castlerock is a small coastal town with a relaxed atmosphere, a fine golden sandy beach where 100 varieties of shell can be found. Popular activities include forest and coastal walks, pony trekking, tennis, bowls, golf, as well as sea bathing and surfing.

Castlerock is situated just a kilometre from where the River Bann meets the sea – The Bar Mouth. The Bar Mouth itself, protected by the National Trust, is one of the most fruitful bird-watching sites in the north of Ireland, being on the migratory route of many winter visitors and with important populations of nesting and wading birds.

Grid ReferenceC774360
WebsitesNorth Coast NI - Castlerock
Town / VillageDungivenThe market town of Dungiven (meaning Given's Fort) ...
Bus stationCafé /RestaurantFresh WaterHistorical building / ruinParkingPublic houseShopTelephoneToilets

The market town of Dungiven (meaning Given's Fort) lies nine miles south of Limavady near the foot of Benbradagh mountain, originally the seat of the O'Cahan Clan.

Visitor attractions include the restored Dungiven Castle and Dungiven Priory which overlooks a 200ft precipice on the River Roe, containing the tomb of Cooey-na-Gall, an ancient Chieftan of the O'Cahan clan. Dungiven provides visitors with a range of locally owned shops and brand name stores on its Main Street.

Grid ReferenceC694088
WebsitesLimavady Tourism - Dungiven
Visitor AttractionBenone BeachBenone beach, located on the north coast forms part ...
Café /RestaurantFresh WaterParkingToilets

Benone beach, located on the north coast forms part of one of Ireland’s longest beaches with 11 kilometres of golden sands stretching from the mouth of Lough Foyle and Magilligan Point in the west to Downhill in the east.

A backdrop of majestic cliffs overlooks the beach and out to the Atlantic with panoramic views to Inishowen and along the north coast.

Benone beach is a multiple recipient of the European Blue Flag and Seaside Resort Awards. These prestigious awards were achieved due to Benone’s excellent water quality, beach management standards and environmental initiatives.

Grid ReferenceC717361
WebsitesLimavady Borough Council - Benone Beach

Accommodation and Facilities

PlaceTypeNameRating
BenoneCampsiteBenone Tourist ComplexFour Star

Open Easter - 2nd week in September

Address53 Benone Avenue, Limavady
BT49 0LQ
Phone(028) 7775 0555
Emailbenone.complex@limavady.gov.uk
Websiteswww.limavady.gov.uk
BenoneCampsiteGolden Sands Caravan ParkFour Star

Open 23rd March to 30th October

Address26 Benone Avenue, Magilligan, Limavady
BT49 0LQ
Phone(028) 7775 0324
BinevenaghHostelCarrowmena HostelN/A
Address100 Carrowclare Road, Limavady
BT49 9EB
Phone(028) 7776 3431
Emailinfo@carrowmena.co.uk
BinevenaghHostelCarrowmena HostelN/A
Address100 Carrowclare Road, Limavady
BT49 9EB
Phone(028) 7776 3431
Emailinfo@carrowmena.co.uk
Websiteswww.carrowmena.co.uk
www.carrowmena.co.uk
CastlerockB&BCarneety HouseN/A
Address120 Mussenden Road, Castlerock, Coleraine
BT51 4TX
Phone(028) 7084 8640
Emailcatherineohenry@btinternet.com
CastlerockB&BCranford HouseN/A
Address11 Circular Road, Castlerock, Coleraine
BT51 4XA
Phone(028) 7084 8669
CastlerockB&BKeeragh LodgeN/A
Address59 Altikeeragh Road, Castlerock, Castlerock, Coleraine
BT51 4SR
Phone(028) 7084 8666
Emailsandrakeeraghlodge@btinternet.com
Websiteswww.keeraghlodge.com
CastlerockB&BLinksview House B&BN/A
Address10 Sea Road, Castlerock, Coleraine
BT51 4TL
Phone(028) 7084 8755
Websiteswww.linksview.co.uk
CastlerockCaféPretty Crafty Design Studios & Willow Garden Tea RoomN/A
Café /Restaurant

Situated in the heart of Downhill Forest, opposite the Lions Gate and Mussenden Temple. Pretty Crafty Design Studio takes its inspiration from a beautiful and historic part of the world.

Winners of Coleraine Borough Business Awards Customer Service 2005. they are a working studio and support 20 local crafters (commission work can be undertaken). The showroom and decorative bird garden support a wide range of exclusively handcrafted, imaginative and unusual gifts. They also specialise in craft parties for all ages including mask making, stone painting, model boat painting or the art of your choice, perfect for delightful and educational evenings for groups of up to 50 (supper by arrangement).

The gallery supports original local art and is available to artists and schools for personal exhibitions and promotions.

There is also the Willow Garden Tea Room, where a wide selection of tray bakes and light lunches or on offer.

Open seasonally, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Sundays from 11am to 5pm. We are closed January and February. Late opening by appointment.

Grid ReferenceC755352
Address5 Springbank Road Castlerock Coleraine Co Londonderry
BT51 4SA
Phone(028) 7084 8146
Emailprettycraftydesignstudio@yahoo.co.uk
CastlerockHostelDownhill HostelN/A
Address12 Mussenden Road, Castlerock, Coleraine
BT51 4RP
Phone(028) 7084 9077
Emailinfo@downhillhostel.com
Websiteswww.downhillhostel.com
ColeraineB&BAn CuileannN/A
Address25 University Gardens, Coleraine
BT52 1JT
Phone(028) 7032 9751
ColeraineB&BBreezemount HouseN/A
Address26 Castlerock Road, Coleraine
BT51 3HT
Phone(028) 70422073
Emailadmin@breezemount.co.uk
Websiteswww.breezemount.co.uk
ColeraineB&BCamus HouseN/A
Address27 Curragh Road, Coleraine
BT51 3RY
Phone(028) 7034 2982
ColeraineB&BCarnadoonN/A
Address41a Portstewart Road, Coleraine
BT52 1RW
Phone(028) 7035 7492
Emailcarnadoonguesthouse@tiscali.co.uk
ColeraineB&BConference Services Cranagh VillageN/A
AddressCromore Road, Coleraine
BT52 1SA
Phone(028) 7032 3058
Emailc.scott@ulster.ac.uk
Websiteswww.ulster.ac.uk/conferences
ColeraineB&BCoolmore HouseN/A
Address81 Coolyvenny Road, Coleraine
BT51 3SF
Phone(028) 7035 4042
Emailcoolmorehouse@aol.com
Websiteswww.coolmorehousebandb.co.uk
ColeraineB&BCranagh HillN/A
Address52 Cranagh Road, Coleraine
BT51 3NN
Phone(028) 7035 1138
Emailcranaghhill@yahoo.co.uk
ColeraineB&BGlenleary Farm HouseN/A
Address12 Glenleary Road, Coleraine
BT51 3QY
Phone(028) 7034 2919
Emailglenlearyfarm@btconnect.com
Websiteswww.glenlearyfarm.co.uk
ColeraineB&BKilleague Farm LodgeN/A
Address157 Drumcroone Road, Coleraine
BT51 3SG
Phone(028) 7086 8229
Emailkilleaguelodge@btinternet.com
ColeraineB&BLisnagalt LodgeN/A
Address108 Ballyrashane Road, Coleraine
BT52 2LJ
Phone(028) 7032 8005
Emaillisnagaltlodge@btinternet.com
Websiteswww.lisnagaltlodge.co.uk
ColeraineB&BMaple LodgeN/A
AddressPiggery Lane, Portstewart Road, Coleraine
BT52 1GA
Phone(028) 70833307
Emailnm-developments@btconnect.com
ColeraineB&BNeely's B&BN/A
Address52a Gateside Road, Coleraine
BT52 2PB
Phone(028) 7035 7185
Emailsally.neely@mypostoffice.co.uk
ColeraineB&BNumber 10 B&BN/A
Address10 University Park, Coleraine
BT52 1JU
Phone028 70321267
Emailhuybrighs_coleraine@yahoo.co.uk
ColeraineB&BThe Grange B&BN/A
Address2e Grange Road, Coleraine
BT52 1NG
Phone(028) 7034 4961
Emailjan@thegrangecoleraine.com
Websiteswww.thegrangecoleraine.com
ColeraineB&BTramalisN/A
Address5 Ballindreen Road, Coleraine
BT52 2JU
Phone(028) 7035 5204
ColeraineCampsiteTullans Farm Caravan ParkFour Star

Open 17th March to 30th September

Address46 Newmills Road, Coleraine
BT52 2JB
Phone(028) 7034 2309
Emailtullansfarm@hotmail.com
Websiteswww.tullansfarm.co.uk
ColeraineHotelBushtown HotelThree Star
Address283 Drumcroone Road, Coleraine
BT51 3QT
Phone(028) 7035 8367
Emailbushtownhotel@btinternet.com
Websiteswww.bushtownhotel.com
ColeraineHotelLodge Hotel And TravelstopThree Star
AddressLodge Road, Coleraine
BT52 1NF
Phone(028) 7034 4848
Emailinfo@thelodgehotel.com
Websiteswww.thelodgehotel.com
ColeraineHotelPremier Inn ColeraineUnclassified
Address3 Riverside Park North, Coleraine
BT51 3AW
Phone(028) 7034 5300
Emailcoleraine.pi@premierinn.com
Websiteswww.premierinn.com
DownhillHostelDownhill HostelN/A
Address12 Mussenden Road, Castlerock
BT51 4RP
Phone(028) 7084 9077
Emailinfo@downhillhostel.com
Websiteswww.downhillhostel.com
DungivenB&BBradaghN/A
Address132 Main Street, Dungiven, Londonderry/Derry
BT47 4LG
Phone(028) 7774 1346
DungivenB&BCashel Lake ViewN/A
Address17 Birren Road, Dungiven, Londonderry/Derry
BT47 4SH
Phone(028) 7774 2159
Emailcasheltrout@hotmail.com
WebsitesCashel Lake View
DungivenB&BEdenroeN/A
Address32 Chapel Road, Dungiven, Londonderry/Derry
BT47 4RT
Phone(028) 77742029
Emailedenroe@aol.com
DungivenGuesthouseDungiven CastleFour Star
AddressDungiven Castle 145 Main Street, Dungiven, Londonderry/Derry
BT47 4LF
Phone(028) 7774 2428
Emaildungivencastle@talktalkbusiness.net
Websiteswww.dungivencastle.com
DungivenGuesthouseGort Na Drum HouseFour Star
Address23 Gortnahey Road, Dungiven, Londonderry/Derry
BT47 4PY
Phone(028) 7774 1289
Emailpatricia@gortnadrumhouse.com
Websiteswww.gortnadrumhouse.com
LimavadyB&BAlexander ArmsN/A
Address34 Main Street, Limavady
BT49 0EU
Phone(028) 7776 3443
LimavadyB&BBallycarton HouseN/A
Address239 Seacoast Road, Limavady
BT49 0HZ
Phone(028) 7775 0216
Emailstay@ballycartonhouse.com
Websiteswww.ballycartonhouse.com
LimavadyB&BBallyhenry HouseN/A
Grid ReferenceC665281
Address172 Seacoast Road, Limavady
BT49 9EF
Phone(028) 7772 2657
Emailinfo@ballyhenry.co.uk
Websiteswww.ballyhenry.co.uk
LimavadyB&BBallyhenry WestN/A
Address7 Carrowclare Road, Limavady
BT49 9ED
Phone(028) 7776 6161
Emailballyhenrywest@aol.com
LimavadyB&BCarrick LodgeN/A
Address138 Ballyquin Road, Limavady
BT49 9EZ
Phone(028) 7776 7194
LimavadyB&BCloghan Farm HouseN/A
Address8 Cloghan Road, Limavady
BT49 0PJ
Phone(028) 7776 2405
Emailmaplesyrup234354@aol.com
Websiteswww.cloghanfarmhouse.co.uk
LimavadyB&BFoyleviewN/A
Address301 Clooney Road, Ballykelly, Limavady
BT49 9JE
Phone028 77769700
Emailpaul.carmichael@hotmail.co.uk
LimavadyB&BKeady View FarmN/A
Address47 Seacoast Road, Limavady
BT49 9DW
Phone(028) 7776 4518
Emailsandra.carmichael@tibusconnect.com
Websiteswww.keadyviewfarm.com
LimavadyB&BTamlaght FarmhouseN/A
Address51 Duncrun Road, Limavady
BT49 0JD
Phone028 77750371
LimavadyB&BWhitehill Farm HouseN/A
Address70 Ballyquin Road, Limavady
BT49 9EY
Phone(028) 7772 2306
Emailmaudwhitehill@btinternet.com
LimavadyGuesthouseBenone View ApartmentsN/A

One bedroomed apartments with the capacity to sleep four.

Turnkey, bedlinen, sky tv, shower, bath, microwave, washing machine, cooker, decked sungarden, hairdryer, iron.

Beside the Ulster Way and only 5 minutes on a ferry to Donegal.

Spectacular views, close to shops, 5 minutes from a blue flag beach.



Available for over night stays, short or long weekends and also on a weekly basis.



Contact Paula:

pcanning@googlemail.com

Tel: 07842119953

Address76 a and b Duncrun Road, Ballereana, Limavady,
BT49OJD
Phone07842119953
Emailpcanning@googlemail.com
LimavadyHotelRadisson SAS Roe Park ResortFour Star
AddressRoe Park, Limavady
BT49 9LB
Phone(028) 7772 2222
Emaillimavady.reservations@radissonsas.com
Websiteswww.radissonroepark.com