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Walk Northern Ireland - Mountaineering Ireland

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discovernorthernireland.com<br />

46<br />

walk… northern ireland<br />

Causeway<br />

Coast Way<br />

The Causeway Coast Way is an exhilarating linear route along the<br />

most celebrated stretch of coastline in <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Ireland</strong>. At the heart<br />

of the route is the geological wonder of the Giant’s Causeway, and<br />

the equally iconic Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.<br />

The section of cliff path<br />

linking these two<br />

attractions is often referred<br />

to as the North Antrim Cliff Path,<br />

and is one of the finest one-day<br />

coastal walks in Britain or <strong>Ireland</strong>.<br />

If you don’t have the time or<br />

energy to tackle the entire<br />

Causeway Coast Way, you should<br />

seriously consider walking this<br />

central section.<br />

The Causeway Coast Way runs<br />

from Portstewart in County<br />

Londonderry to Ballycastle in<br />

County Antrim. Though the route<br />

can be followed in either direction,<br />

it’s advisable to walk from west to<br />

east so that the prevailing winds are<br />

at your back. The total distance is<br />

52km, which is best spread over at<br />

least three days. Particularly fit<br />

walkers could probably manage the<br />

distance in two days, but hurrying<br />

would do a disservice to the<br />

attractions along the way. To fully<br />

appreciate the scenery you’ll want<br />

to take your time, pop in to one of<br />

the numerous cafés for tea and<br />

scones, or rest in a sheltered nook<br />

with your back against a warm rock<br />

and the sun on your face. It’s worth<br />

Right: The Giant’s Causweway<br />

savouring the essence of this coast,<br />

with its friendly people, quiet<br />

harbours, crumbling castles,<br />

sweeping beaches and towering<br />

cliffs.<br />

For decades the pretty seaside<br />

town of Portstewart has been one<br />

of <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Ireland</strong>’s favourite<br />

holiday destinations. Quieter and<br />

more relaxed than its bustling<br />

neighbour Portrush, the cafés, pubs<br />

and galleries along the promenade

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