Benone Strand
Benone Strand forms part of one of Ireland’s longest beaches. A Blue Flag beach, it is popular throughout the year for a variety of outdoor activities and events with great views along the North Coast, to Inishowen in Donegal and to Scotland.
County Londonderry
Distance 2.9 miles
OS Map 4 or Causeway Coast & Rathlin Activity Map
Terrain Sandy beach backed by duneland
Nearest Town Bellarena & Magilligan
Route Shape Linear
Grid Reference C717363
Route Type Beach, Coastal
Park at entrance to Benone Strand (or on beach if area is busy), continue eastwards along beach with views to Downhill and Mussenden.
Retrace your steps to Benone for a longer walk.
Dog walkers please note seasonal dog free zone May – Sept. Boardwalks in duneland may be used for dog walking to reach open beach.
There is a military firing range to west of beach entrance which has restricted access.
Be aware of various acitvities on the beach such as shore angling, kiting, horses etc throughout the year.
Look out for seals, porpoises and bird life
Benone Strand is located off the Seacoast Rd (A2), 12 miles north of Limavady and 4 miles west of Castlerock.
Follow the Seacoast Road north from Limavady signed for Causeway Coastal Route.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Please note seasonal dog free zone.
Toilets are available at the entrance to the beach at Benone & Downhill and at Benone Tourist Complex. Refreshments available at Benone Tourist Complex, Magilligan & Castlerock. The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility: – Shop (wheelchair accessible) – (at Benone Tourist Complex March-October) – Disabled toilets – Disabled parking.
Grade 5
- There may not be a formalised path, and variable, single file trails are to be expected.
- Gradients and cross slope could be expected to be steep and not limited.
- Obstacles and surface breaks of greater than 75mm measured across the line of the path to be expected.
- Overhanging branches are possible. Passing places and rest areas may not be formalised or provided.
Comments will be reviewed and those that cause offence will be removed. This is at the discretion of WalkNI.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the walking routes listed on WalkNI safely and easily.
If you have come across any problems whilst walking a route, please let us so we can pass on any issues to the appropriate management body responsible for maintaining the walk.
Walk Route
Benone Strand
Brilliant coastal walk. Plenty of space to park alongside the coffee hut or on the beach. Shower and toilet facilities available and in peak times ice cream vans too. You can walk this stretch towards Castlerock until the tide near mussenden temple causes you to stop. The scenery is fantastic, time it correctly and you can watch the train go through the tunnel. The views of mussenden with the changing light is stunning. On occasion albeit rare the northern lights have been spotted here too.
Great beach for a day out, caters for most. Leave no trace
Fantastic beach to go walking with my dog. The views are spectacular!
Walked yesterday from Downhill to the point and back. It’s a good distance (approx 13 miles) but easy enough as it’s all flat. Takes around 4hrs. There’s a coffee shack near the beach about half way along.