Map out your future – but do it in pencil. The road ahead is as long as you make it. Make it worth the trip.Jon Bon Jovi
Causeway Coastal Route Road Trip – Visit Northern Ireland
If you are looking for a perfect road trip in Europe then Northern Ireland’s coast is the perfect place. Causeway Coastal Route is fast becoming one of the best road trips to do in the world and I can’t disagree with the same. The view out of your window doesn’t seize to amaze as the road twists and turns through the beautiful Northern coast.
The Causeway Coastal Route is one of the best road trips we have done in Europe and one we will never forget. This coastal route touches everything from Beaches, small fishing villages, nature reserves, cliffs, heritage sites and much more. So join us in exploring and planning a perfect itinerary for a 3-day road trip to explore Northern Ireland.
Day 1
Belfast—Carrickfergus—The Gobbins — Glenariff — Cushendun
We had landed at Belfast the night before and were up early to pick our car from Sixt right opposite to the Belfast airport. The roads are gentle countryside roads so opted for an Economy car rather than a four wheel drive.
On our first stop for the day, we reached the quiet and sleepy town of Carrickfergus, famous for its Anglo-Normal Carrickfergus castle at the town harbor. Carrickfergus Castle, Northern Ireland’s best preserved Norman citadel, is a beautiful site with an interactive and family-friendly museum beyond its entrance. We spend around 30 mins exploring this medieval castle and then walked outside along the harbor to take in more views.
Address – Marine Highway Carrickfergus County Antrim BT38 7BG
Another 15 mins drive from here, we reached the much acclaimed Gobbins Cliff Path. This Incredible trek along the cliffs of Islandmaggee on the edge of the Irish Sea is a must visit on the Causeway Coastal route. Please book the tickets online beforehand – Click here. Once we reached here, we were briefed about the safety instructions for the 2 mile walk. A section knows as the ‘Tunnel’ was flooded due to high tides so we were instead given the option to visit the Viewpoint. Post the briefing, you are zipped past in a van before you arrive at the start of this guided 2.5-3 hours walk. You need to leave your belongings in the locker in the visitor centre so ensure you carry a small water bottle and a bum bag for all necessary stuff. This tubular path is truly a marvel of Engineering which has withstood the tests of time and nature.
Address: The Gobbins Visitor Centre,Middle Road,Islandmagee BT40 3SL
We then drove further inland a little away from the coast to Glenariff Forest Park. This nature reserve also known as the “Queen of Glens” offers some breath-taking walks across this pristine beauty of nature. We opted for the 3 km unmissable waterfall walk and it turned out to be a highlight of this road trip. The path descends steeply through lush green forests to the bottom on the gorge passing through some spectacular waterfalls along the way. This place is so very reminiscent of the Amazonian rain forests and took our breath away.
Address: 98 Glenariff Road Glenariff County Antrim BT44 0QX
The sun was soon setting in the distance along the Irish coast while we drove to Cushendun, a beautiful harbor town near Torr Head, modeled on Cornish villages. This is a perfect tiny seaside retreat with population not exceeding 200. Definitely visit this little village as we found this place the perfect place to unwind after a day on the road.
Address: Cushendun, County Antrim, BT44 0PH
This was our pit-stop for the day while we enjoyed a good night’s meal at a nice Victorian B&B taking in amazing views of the remote and beautiful Irish countryside. The very first day showed us a different life as compared to the fast paced life we live in. We were driving mostly on country roads with literally no vehicles and people for miles. Very few places to eat and much lesser shops to buy anything, defined how remote and peaceful this place is. All in all a great start for our 3-day road trip – already wishing it lasted for more than 3 days.
To follow our route for the day – Click here or see below –
Day 2
Cushendun — Rathlin Island — Giant Causeway
After an amazing continental breakfast and a chat with our amazing host, we left for the day heading towards Ballycastle to take the Ferry to Rathlin Island. You can book your tickets for the ferry online here – Click here.
Address: 18 Bayview Road,Ballycastle, BT54 6BT
A 40 mins ride across the sea on a comfortable ferry from Ballycastle and we were at the beautiful Rathlin Island – A gem in the North Irish Sea. Rathlin is famous for its sea bird population especially the famous Puffins and it draws birders from all corners. However, we were here in October which is the end of the birding season and were more keen on exploring the island on foot. As our Ferry pulled into the harbour, it was evident that this place was all ours to explore. With a population of less than 100 people this rugged landscape is filled with beauty and tranquility. Though we couldn’t cycle due to the weather, we opted to take the bus to the Seabird centre and then opted to walk back to the harbor.
This 4.5 mile walk is simply amazing as it passed some amazing landscapes along the coast which redefines quietude for me. We passed amazing cliffs, inland lakes and a farmer blaring his horn to call his cattle and much more. Though it’s a topsy turvy walk, we were actually much relaxed towards the end of it. All we needed was a nice meal and a cold Cider. Though most of the businesses were closed at the harbor as it was almost the end of season, luckily the McCuaigs Bar and Restaurant were open and we had an amazing treat of a cold cider and delicious roast beef.
Rathlin Island truly let our minds wander and midst its ruggedness allowed us to discover tranquility, beauty and eternal peace; would love to visit this place someday again.
We were back by the 15:30 Ferry to Ballycastle and drove 30 mins to the most visited attraction in Ireland – The Giant Causeway. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Giant’s Causeway is composed of 40,000 natural basalt columns, formed by a volcanic eruption.
The parking at the visitor centre is quite expensive at 11:50£ per person, so you could either opt to park at the nearby Bushmills Railway station [6 Runkerry Rd, Bushmills BT57] or at the Giant causeway Hotel [40 Causeway Road, Bushmills, BT57 8SU, United Kingdom]; provided you are having a drink or meal there. A 15 mins walk or a 3 mins bus ride from the visitor centre takes you to this amazing rock formation shrouded by myth and legendary stories of how Irish giant, Fin MacCool created this.
Science busting the myth on its creation hasn’t dampened the visitor’s enthusiasm. This place is swarmed with tourists form every nook and corner of the world. We just sat back for a while taking in the amazing views of the white Irish waters hitting hard against these neatly interconnected basalt columns.
That was the end of Day 2 and what an amazing thrill it had been from exploring the rugged landscape of Rathlin Island to watching the sun set at the Giant Causeway. We pulled into a nearby B&B to rest our tired legs and get ready for the last day of our trip.
To follow our route for the day – Click here or see below –
Day 3
Cushendun — The Dark Hedges — Carrick A Rede — Dunluce Castle — Mussenden Temple — Belfast
So finally it was our last day in Northern Ireland and honestly we weren’t any keen to return home- but we had to! Again started the day early and we headed towards one of the most pictured locations in Northern Ireland – The Dark Hedges.
This array of beech trees were initially planted by the Stuart family to impress visitors approaching the Georgian mansion. Centuries later these have become a magnificent sight and also made more famous as being part of the filming location for the Game Of Thrones representing the Kings Road.
Address: Dark Hedges Hotel, Bregagh Rd, Stranocum, Ballymoney BT53 8TP
As a general tip, try arriving early here before hordes of tourists come down on this much visited place. The road running perpendicular to this famous driveway also has a beautiful canopy of lush green tress which we liked as well. Honestly the driveway to the mansion had eclipsed the mansion in its popularity.
20 mins drive from here we were at Carrick A Rede – A tiny island with just one building off the coast of County Antrim. However, it’s not the island which draws people in, it’s the Rope Bridge suspended 100 ft above the gushing waters below which pulls in the brave-hearts.
Address: 119a Whitepark Road, Ballintoy, County Antrim, BT54
Another 20 mins drive whilst the skies just opened for a while, we reached Dunluce Castle. This cliffside ruin sits on steep drops on all sides and has been an inspiration for various artists and also closely resembles Pyke, the seat of House Greyjoy in the Game of Thrones.
Address: 87 Dunluce Rd, Bushmills BT57 8UY
We then made our way to our final stop along the Causeway Coastal route – Mussenden Temple. This Roman inspired temple sits atop the cliffs of Downhill Strand. More than the temple itself, it’s the views which make this place worthwhile.
Address: 107 Sea Road Castle rock County Londonderry BT51 4RP
A little further away we could see people driving their cars on the white sandy beaches of Benone Beach – Something which is very rare in the UK and something which we couldn’t resist as it was the perfect way to drop the curtains on this amazing road trip. We headed towards the beach in our little Kia onto the sandy beach, parked facing the white mighty Irish Sea and just relaxed reflecting back on what an amazing trip this had been.
Finally post a quick grab lunch, we made our way to the Airport and as we were early we decided to do a small detour to Antrim Loughshore Park – a perfect relaxation on the shoes of the biggest lake in Ireland and Britain.
To follow our route for the day – Click here or see below –
As they say the greatest part of a road trip isn’t arriving at the destination, it’s everything else which happens along the way. The Causeway Coastal Route surprised us in leaps and bounds with its magnificence. Honestly, we couldn’t have asked much more from a road trip.
Join us on our journey –
If you have any questions/feedback around this please feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you at the very earliest.
This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.