Giants Causeway Ireland

My North Antrim Coast Ride.
A neat coastal route, taking in minor roads and lots of off road twisting path. More climbing than you would imagine. This route covers 67km of some of the most breath taking scenary in Europe if not the world. Riding through the world tourist attraction the Giants Causeway. The route on the way out ws mainly Single track along the coast with beach crossings and a bit of major roads where there is no trails. The return journey was all roads which had to be done on tiring legs. The highlight is the trail that leads along the cliff path through the Giants Causeway as seen in the photos with the trusty old Trek.

The Route Map



Leave Portstewart beach cycling along the coastal path, Along the cliff path around Dominican College (Extreme caution on this section as it is a walkers path and there are a few blind bends) into the town staying to the lower path to the harbour.


Turning into the harbour car park the path leads between the houses facing the harbour and up onto the green. Follow the path past the herring pond (a natural sea swimming pool) and along the seafront to the golf course car park.


Through the car park keeping left you should see the first trail leading left away from the first tee. I have had a few golfers tell me you are not allowed on the course but I checked it out (This is a public right of way and the trail follows the Golf course on the sea side of the course).
A few sections lead onto the golf course path between holes but if common sense and courtesy is shown most golfers are fine with you passing them. This single track continues along the coast to ballyreagh golf course. Again same rules apply stick to the trail on the seaside of the golf course.
The trail crosses the course briefly across a bridge on the 8th hole as the path is being fixed due to erosion. After the Par three course pass the pitch and putt and the trail leads onto the cycle path down into portrush following the west strand. Again follow this to the harbour and around Ramore head and onto the east strand.

From here it is either road all the way to Portballintrae or you can stick to the beach and follow it to the white rocks. At the white rocks leave the beach and follow the road up to the main coast road A2. Follow this road passing Dunluce Castle, making sure to check out the views of the cliffs and caves etc on your left.


After Dunluce Castle follow the A2 road taking a left onto the B145 into portballintray. Follow the road through the town to the carpark were a path leads down across the Bush river.

After the bridge take a right and follow this path to the small steam rail track. Take a left and follow this to the gates at the runkerry end of the beach. Turn left down onto the trail leading away from the beach and along the front of Runkerry House.

Follow this trail around the cliff paths this will take you to the back of the Giant's Causeway car park. You can take the lower road that leads to the Giants Causeway or the cliff path if you have already seen the Causeway. If you take the lower path after you pass the Causeway the trail cuts back were you have to climb the steps up to the cliff trail. From here it is sweet single track all the way to Dunseverick Castle, taking in all the ports and coves along the way. This is a walkers path and is very narrow in places so caution should be taken. The views along this are amongst some of the best in the world and the lesser seen part of the Causeway but the most dramatic. There are a few gates and steps to cross along the way but this trail just seems to go on for ever with different scenery around every corner.

After Dunseverick Castle (Which isn't much other than a three wall ruin just so you arent disappointed. Photo above of me passing the Castle on the Causeway Marathon) follow the trail around the coast for about ½ a mile. Just before Dunseverick harbour there is a small natural sea water swimming pool to your left opposite the steps to the road. Stop for a dip to cool off on hot days which I did and it was very refreshing. Follow the steps to the road and follow the road down into Dunseverick harbour.

There is a toilet block at the back of this car park. From the car park follow the trail along the sea and around the coves and stoney beach till you come to a cave that you go through and follow the trail to portbrandden. Portbradden boasts the smallest church in Ireland and it is so small blink and you will miss it. It is on the right up the side of the houses. Leaving the church follow the trail of the road to the left.

The next section onto whitepark bay beach will mean carrying the bike and the boulders are large and slippery so take care. When you reach the beach about 1/3rd of the way along follow the road on the right that leads off the beach and up past the old and new youth hostels. There is a path at the far end of the beach that leads to Ballintoy Harbour but at present the farmer that owns the land has closed this path.

From the youth hostel you join the A2 whitepark road taking a left through Ballintoy village and then leave the road taking a left down to larrybane and the single track to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

The return journey was on a mixture of major and minor roads.