Causeway Coast and Antrim Glens

The Causeway Coast trip suits hikers with a reasonable level of fitness, as some days are fairly long. To get trail-ready, head out on regular walks before your trip and work a few hills into your routine. It’s also worth checking the daily distances and elevation gain in your itinerary, so you know what each day has in store.

Most of the route follows coastal trails and countryside paths. Along the way, you’ll walk across several beaches, which can slow your pace. Getting on and off them sometimes means scrambling over rocky bits of shoreline before you’re back on a more even trail. These sections are a little trickier underfoot and can be awkward in wet weather.

Like all long-distance trails in Ireland, some days include a fair amount of hiking on paved roads. It’s worth coming prepared for this, as hard surfaces can make your feet sore quickly. The roads are mostly quiet with very little traffic, but there are a few sections where you’ll need to take extra care. Public rights of way are limited across Ireland, so long-distance trails rely on roads to link up the off-road sections.

In places, the trail runs close to the cliff edges, which can feel exposed in wet and windy weather. For this reason, you’ll need to be sure-footed and comfortable with heights.

This trip is graded easy to moderate. Individual days may vary, with some a little tougher or easier than the overall grading suggests.

Accommodation is in B&Bs and family-run guest houses, offering a warm welcome and traditional Irish hospitality. You'll mostly stay in convenient town-centre locations, with occasional exceptions where availability is limited, so booking in advance is recommended. Alternative accommodation of a similar standard may be offered where needed, with upgrade options available in some locations.

Extra nights can be added at any of the overnight locations along the route.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

A hearty breakfast is included each morning, usually a buffet-style spread of bread, cereal, fruit and yogurt alongside a cooked breakfast of your choice - typically eggs, bacon, sausage, beans and mushrooms. Lunch and dinner aren't included, so you're free to choose from the options available. Most accommodations can provide a packed lunch on request for a small fee, or you can pick up supplies at a local shop or café along the way. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or at nearby pubs and restaurants.

This trip is available from April to October. Spring is one of the loveliest times to visit, with colorful wildflowers blooming across the landscape. For the best chance of seeing puffins on Rathlin Island, travel in May or June, during nesting season. July and August are the busiest months and accommodations fill up fast, though the long summer days are perfect for exploring. For a quieter trip, May, June, and September are ideal.

The weather in Northern Ireland is unpredictable year-round. Being so close to the Atlantic, it can turn wet and windy at any time, especially at the start and end of the season. The coastal trail is safe to hike in most conditions as long as you’re well prepared. However, sections near the cliff edges can become too risky in gale-force winds or poor visibility.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 18kg/40lbs per person.

It's vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.

This is a low-level route that's well waymarked for most of its length and easy to follow, with signs for the Causeway Coast Way or the Moyle Way. In some sections, waymarking is less consistent, so it's worth staying alert, and depending on the time of year and recent weather, the trail can also be boggy in places, which may slow your pace.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Getting to the Start

Your trip starts in Portstewart, on the north coast of Northern Ireland. Coleraine is the nearest train station, and your transfer from there to your accommodation in Portstewart is included. Once you’ve booked your travel, let us know your arrival time as soon as possible so we can arrange it.

Dublin (DUB) is the easiest gateway from North America, with nonstop flights from more than 20 cities across the US and Canada, including New York, Boston, Chicago and Washington. Flight times are roughly 6 to 7 hours from the East Coast. From Dublin Airport, direct coaches run to Belfast in around 2 hrs. From Belfast Grand Central station, take the direct train to Coleraine.

You can also fly into Belfast International Airport (BFS) or Belfast City Airport (BHD) with one connection through London or another major hub. From Belfast International, the quickest way to Coleraine is a short taxi ride to Antrim station (around 5 miles, costing around £15 to £20), then the direct train to Coleraine, which runs hourly and takes around 1 hr. From Belfast City Airport, take the Airport Express bus or a taxi into the city center, then the direct train from Belfast Grand Central to Coleraine.

Planning Your Trip

Need help planning your trip by bus or train? The Translink website is the best place to check routes and schedules across Northern Ireland.

Getting from the End

Your route home depends on where your trip finishes.

Tours finishing in Cushendall

Your transfer from Cushendall to Ballymena station is included. From Ballymena, take the train to Antrim, then a short taxi ride to Belfast International Airport (BFS). Flying home from Dublin? Take the train from Ballymena to Belfast Grand Central, then a direct coach to Dublin Airport (DUB).

Tours finishing in Ballycastle

There’s no train station in Ballycastle, but regular Ulsterbus services run to Ballymena (around 1 hr) and along the coast to Coleraine. From either station, take the train to Belfast Grand Central, or take the train from Ballymena to Antrim and a short taxi ride to Belfast International Airport (BFS). Flying home from Dublin? From Belfast, take a direct coach to Dublin Airport (DUB).

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

You’ll need to book your ferry over to Rathlin Island in advance to avoid disappointment. There are only a few crossings each day, and they fill up fast. As soon as your travel plans are set, book your tickets online through the Rathlin Island Ferry website.

If you’re travelling between October and March, the timetable is more limited. That means fewer sailings to choose from and less time to explore the island, so it’s worth planning your day around the crossing times.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation