Giant's Causeway

Moyle Way & Causeway Coast Way

View Photos

View Map

On this page:

Overview

Route

What’s Included?

Itineraries & Prices

Accommodation

Travel Info

Additional Days

Overview

Walking Holidays

7 Nights

60.5 miles / 97 km

Prices from: £855 per person
Start: Cushendall, Ulster
Finish: Portstewart, Ulster
Availability: Any start date year-round
Grading: Challenging
Way-marked: Yes

Moyle Way & Causeway Coast Way Highlights

Exceptional beauty

Experience breathtaking scenery as you hike across rugged coasts with cliffs and wide-open bays, and into lush forested valleys.

Charming Cushendall

Relax in charming Cushendall, the capital of the Glens and home to some wonderful examples of Northern Irish architecture.

The Giant’s Causeway

See for yourself the natural phenomena of basalt columns rising from the sea at Northern Ireland’s only World Heritage Site.

Carrick-a-Rede

Brave the exhilarating Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which links Carrick Island with the mainland.

Food & drink

Dine in world-class restaurants, enjoy a pint of ‘the black stuff’, and sample Northern Ireland’s most popular whiskey at Bushmills Distillery.

Rathlin Island

Explore the incredible Rathlin Island, the only inhabited offshore island in Northern Island, and home to an abundance of wildlife and stunning scenery.

Explore the Best of Northern Ireland’s Countryside & Coast

The Moyle Way and the Causeway Coast Way offer the perfect combination of wide-open bays and rugged coastal cliffs, with deep green valleys and rounded summits. These magnificent backdrops combined with wonderful hospitality along the way offer a truly unforgettable experience.

Your journey begins in the charming village of Cushendall, better known as the ‘Capital of the Glens’. Cushendall is located amongst the hills and the Sea of Moyle, and like many Ulster villages, showcases some of Northern Ireland’s most exceptional architecture.

The Moyle Way begins by following the banks of the Glenariff River and through leafy Glenariff Forest Park with stunning views of its iconic waterfalls. After reaching the North Antrim coast at Ballycastle, you join the Causeway Coast Way which runs along coastal paths looking out to Rathlin Island and the Kintyre Peninsula in Scotland.

The Moyle Way & Causeway Coast Way offers a fine combination of forest and coastal walking and is generally level with a few steep climbs and some undulating terrain. We recommend walking the trail over 6 days which allows for a day’s visit to Rathlin Island. While the Causeway Coast Way is well way-marked and low lying with relatively easy terrain, the Moyle Way is more challenging and quite remote in places.

Northern Ireland is rapidly gaining popularity in the walking community, enticing walkers with its exceptional beauty, historic buildings and natural phenomena such as the Giant’s Causeway.

Moyle Way & Causeway Coast Way Route Map

Recommended Itinerary

Our most popular itinerary is MWCCW which covers the route in 6 days / 7 nights.

Travel to Cushendall for your first night’s accommodation

Arrive in Cushendall, a small and charming village better known as the Capital of the Glens, and spend the evening at your first night’s accommodation.

Day 1: Cushendall to Orra Beg (15 miles / 24 km)

The morning begins with a pleasant 1.5 mile coastal walk out of Cushendall, down to Waterfoot and the start of the Moyle Way. You may choose to take a local bus to reach the start on this first morning.

The Moyle Way follows the River Glenariff inland into Glenariff Forest, famous for birds of prey, woodland and many beautiful waterfalls. The trail then heads over open moorland and Trostan Mountain until it reaches Slieveanorra Nature Reserve, which has spectacular views over the surrounding glens.

Day 2: Orra Beg to Ballycastle (14 miles / 23 km)

Today your hosts will transport you back to Orra Beg and you will spend the day heading north to Ballycastle. The route takes you along forest tracks following the banks of the Glenshesk River. There is also some country road walking, and some final forest views in Ballycastle Forest before the Moyle Way ends in Ballycastle.

Here you will enjoy some fine panoramic views of Rathlin Island and, on a clear day, the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland.

Day 3: Day trip to Rathlin Island

You will have the opportunity to visit Rathlin Island, a hidden treasure which lies between Northern Ireland and Scotland and can be reached by ferry from Ballycastle.

There are a number of walks on the island which are short enough to take in both the wonderful wildlife and rugged scenery – Rathlin Island counts guillemot, puffins and razorbills as some of its Summer residents.

Day 4: Ballycastle to Ballintoy (8.5 miles / 14 km)

Begin your walk on the Causeway Coast Way from the Diamond in Ballycastle before enjoying the fine coastal views from plentiful vantage points along the Antrim coastline. A highlight of today’s walk is the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge – the bridge spans a 30 metre wide crevasse that links Carrick Island with the mainland.

The walk is short today, so you should have plenty of time to visit the bridge. If you are brave enough to make the crossing, the experience will be a dramatic and exhilarating way to end your day. From the bridge it is only a short distance along the coastal path, to the little village of Ballintoy.

Day 5: Ballintoy to Portballintrae (11 miles / 18 km)

Between Ballintoy and Portballintrae you will find many points of interest. Soon after leaving Ballintoy harbour the path reaches the spectacular White Park Bay beach, then its on to Portbraddan, which is home to Northern Ireland’s tiniest church, St Gobban’s, measuring 12ft by 6.5ft.

Further along the coast you will find the ruins of Dunseverick Castle and then the Causeway Coast’s main attraction – the Giant’s Causeway. There is a chance to treat yourself after a day of walking with a tour and tasting at Bushmills Distillery.

Day 6: Portballintrae to Portstewart (12 miles / 19 km)

Your final days walk starts on the coastal road to Portrush, and again the day’s points of interest won’t disappoint. Dunluce Castle and its famous ‘Mermaid’s Cave’ are en route and well worth a visit. After passing over Whiterocks beach you will find an official pathway which leads up and around Ramore Head, and eventually Portrush harbour. Your walk continues along the coastline, ending at the promenade in Portstewart, a perfect seaside location to celebrate the end of your walk.

Onward travel

After breakfast, you will start your journey home after a wonderful walking holiday on the Moyle Way & Causeway Coast Way.

What’s Included?

Your Moyle Way & Causeway Coast Way walking holiday includes:

Carefully selected accommodation along the route and trail transfers when applicable
En-suite or private bathroom facilities whenever possible
Daily door-to-door baggage transfers
Comprehensive information pack, kit list, guidebook and map (one set per room)
Personalised itinerary with details of your accommodation, route and recommendations for lunch and dinner
Traditional Irish breakfast
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your walking holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Transport to and from the start and end of the walk
Lunches and evening meals

Itineraries & Prices

We offer a suggested itinerary for walking the Moyle Way & Causeway Coast Way together, and a suggested itinerary each for the Moyle Way and the Causeway Coast Way separately.

Our most popular itinerary is MWCCW which covers the Moyle Way & Causeway Coast Way in 6 days.

Tour code

Itinerary

Average miles

Difficulty

Price per person

MWCCW

6 Days / 7 Nights

12 miles per day

Challenging

From £855

Average miles : 12 miles per day

Tour code: MWCCW

Difficulty : Challenging

6 Days / 7 Nights (MWCCW)

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this package. Transfers are included when you are staying away from the trail.

Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust it for you.

All of our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Our packages include all accommodation, baggage transfers and full information pack.

Single room & solo walker supplements

Single rooms are available at a supplement which covers the additional costs of a single room or single occupancy of a twin or double room.

As we incur additional costs for transferring a single bag, there is also a solo walker supplement in addition to the single supplement.

Arrive Travel to Cushendall for your first night's accommodation

Day 1 Cushendall to Orra Beg (overnight Cushendall) 15 miles / 24 km

Day 2 Orra Beg to Ballycastle 14 miles / 23 km

Day 3 Day trip to Rathlin Island

Day 4 Ballycastle to Ballintoy 8.5 miles / 14 km

Day 5 Ballintoy to Portballintrae 11 miles / 18 km

Day 6 Portballintrae to Portstewart 12 miles / 19 km

Depart Onward travel from Portstewart

Prices

Standard

Good quality B&Bs, Guest Houses & Hotels

From £855 per person

Good quality and comfortable B&Bs, guest houses and some hotels located as close to the trail as possible. We will prioritise en-suite facilities or a private bathroom, although in remote areas with limited accommodation this may not always be possible.

Enquire Now

2 Days / 3 Nights (Moyle Way)

14.5 miles per day

Challenging

From £345

Average miles : 14.5 miles per day

Tour code: MW

Difficulty : Challenging

2 Days / 3 Nights (MW)

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this package. Transfers are included when you are staying away from the trail.

Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust it for you.

All of our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Our packages include all accommodation, baggage transfers and full information pack.

Single room & solo walker supplements

Single rooms are available at a supplement which covers the additional costs of a single room or single occupancy of a twin or double room.

As we incur additional costs for transferring a single bag, there is also a solo walker supplement in addition to the single supplement.

Arrive Travel to Cushendall for your first night's accommodation

Day 1 Cushendall to Orra Beg (overnight Cushendall) 15 miles / 24 km

Day 2 Orra Beg to Ballycastle 14 miles / 23 km

Depart Onward travel from Ballycastle

Prices

Standard

Good quality B&Bs, Guest Houses & Hotels

From £345 per person

Enquire Now

CCW

4 Days / 5 Nights (Causeway Coast Way)

10.5 miles per day

Easy

From £670

Average miles : 10.5 miles per day

Tour code: CCW

Difficulty : Easy

4 Days / 5 Nights (CCW)

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this package. Transfers are included when you are staying away from the trail.

Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust it for you.

All of our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Our packages include all accommodation, baggage transfers and full information pack.

Single room & solo walker supplements

Single rooms are available at a supplement which covers the additional costs of a single room or single occupancy of a twin or double room.

As we incur additional costs for transferring a single bag, there is also a solo walker supplement in addition to the single supplement.

Arrive Travel to Ballycastle for your first night's accommodation

Day 1 Day trip to Rathlin Island

Day 2 Ballycastle to Ballintoy 8.5 miles / 14 km

Day 3 Ballintoy to Portballintrae 11 miles / 18 km

Day 4 Portballintrae to Portstewart 12 miles / 19 km

Depart Onward travel from Portstewart

Prices

Standard

Good quality B&Bs, Guest Houses & Hotels

From £670 per person

Enquire Now

Moyle Way & Causeway Coast Way Accommodation

All of the accommodation that we reserve for you has been personally selected by our expert team to ensure it meets our exacting standards. We regularly review our extensive database.

We will always prioritise accommodation as close to the walking trail as possible. Occasionally, your accommodation may be located a short distance from the trail, or you may need to spend more than one night in the same place, in which case we will provide return transfers.

Travel Information

As an environmentally conscious tour operator, we actively encourage the use of public transport by providing clients with a detailed breakdown of travel options in their information packs. The following information may help with your pre-trip planning.

Getting to Cushendall

By Air

Nearest International Airports: Belfast International and Belfast City Airport

There are regular shuttle buses from Belfast International and Belfast City Airport to the city centre, where you can continue on to Cushendall by public transport.

By Ferry

Northern Ireland is also accessible by two sea ports with ferry services from both Scotland and England. P&O sails to Larne from Cairnryan, Troon and Fleetwood and Stena Line sails to Belfast from Stranraer.

An airport shuttle bus operates between Belfast International Airport and Belfast city centre (journey time 35 min). There is also a regular bus service between Belfast City Airport and Belfast city centre (journey time 10 min). From here you can travel to Cushendall by train and bus.

By Public Transport

Nearest Railway Station: Ballymena.

From Belfast, we would recommend catching a direct bus or train to Ballymena. From Ballymena, there is a local bus service operating to Cushendall Monday – Saturday. On a Sunday, you may wish to take a taxi.

The total journey time from Belfast is approximately 2 hours.

By Car

Long term car parking in Cushendall is limited, so we recommend that you travel by public transport. However, if you do plan to travel by car, we can advise you about parking options when you make your enquiry.

Departing from Portstewart

By Air

Nearest International Airports: Belfast International and Belfast City Airport

Nearest Domestic Airport: City of Derry Airport

From Portstewart, we recommend connecting with the regular train service from nearby Coleraine to get to Belfast (journey time is 90 min).

By Public Transport

Nearest Railway Station: Coleraine.

From Portstewart there are bus services to Coleraine throughout the months of April to September. Connecting train services then operate from Coleraine to Belfast (journey time 90 min). If you are travelling to Derry, the trains operate every 2 hours (journey time 45 min).

By Car

Long term car parking in Portstewart is limited, so we recommend that you travel by public transport. However, if you do plan to travel by car, we can advise you about parking options when you make your enquiry.

Additional Days

We would be delighted to arrange additional accommodation for you along the Moyle Way & Causeway Coast Way.

You may wish to plan a rest day or have an additional night at any of the locations along the route which offer activities or sightseeing opportunities – we’ve made some suggestions below. Please request this when you make an enquiry.

Cushendall

An extra night in Cushendall is well worthwhile. Neighbouring Glenariff Forest Park is home to many protected species such as the red squirrel, hen harrier and Irish hare not to mention numerous walking trails taking in the plentiful waterfalls and vantage points.

Ballycastle

Stay an extra night in Ballycastle to fully explore Rathlin Island. There are numerous walks on the island, so an extra day here offers the chance to discover more of the incredible wildlife and history of the island or to relax and rejuvenate before commencing the Causeway Coast Way. Alternatively, take a break from walking and hire a bike to cycle around the island.

Portballintrae

Take an extra day to fully explore the Giant’s Causeway – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and geological wonder, complete with a new state of the art visitor centre featuring an illuminating exhibition showcasing the stories and the science behind the Giant’s Causeway.
Visit Northern Ireland’s tiniest church, St Gobban’s in its stunning seafront setting.
Bushmills Distillery is also accessible from Portballintrae and runs regular tours and tastings.

Belfast

Add an extra day in Belfast at either the beginning or end of your walk – the city has evolved hugely over recent years and will leave a very different impression on its visitors today than it would have just 10 years ago.
Head into the North of the City to walk amongst the limestone spires of the Cathedral Quarter.
Visit Titanic Belfast, an exhibition spanning nine galleries with multiple interactive features to explore, all set on the slipways where RMS Titanic was built.

How do our Walking Holidays Work?

For more than 20 years, we’ve been weaving together unforgettable walking holidays amidst the enchanting landscapes of the British Isles. Dive deeper into how they work in our comprehensive guide. Read more

Our client walking in the North York Moors National Park

Uncovering the UK’s Best UNESCO World Heritage Sites

From ancient landmarks steeped in history to breathtaking natural wonders, the UK boasts a treasure trove of remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Read on to discover our favourites - and our top tips for exploring them. Read more