Moderate 8 Days / 6 Nights Walking

The Glens and Giant Causeway 8 Days

Walk from Cushendall to Portstewart on this 8-day self-guided hiking tour

Starting From €975 per person

Six Days of Walking Along Ireland's Most Dramatic Coastline

This 8-day self-guided walking tour takes you from the green glens of Antrim to the wild headlands of the Causeway Coast. You start in Cushendall, the quiet village known as the Capital of the Glens, and finish in Portstewart seven nights and six memorable hikes later.

Between those two points, you will walk through ancient woodland and past thundering waterfalls in Glenariff Forest Park. You will cross open moorland on the Moyle Way with Scotland shimmering on the horizon. You will take the ferry to Rathlin Island and watch puffins wheel above the cliffs. You will cross the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge 30 metres above the sea. And you will stand on the 40,000 basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that has drawn visitors for centuries.

This is a hiking tour in Northern Ireland that delivers something different every day. The area features a forest, an island, a cliff-top path, a white sandy beach, and a mediaeval castle ruin. The variety is extraordinary.

What Makes This Walking Holiday Different

I walk these routes myself, and I book every B&B and guesthouse on this tour personally. Your luggage moves ahead each morning, so you walk with a light daypack. Your accommodation is ready when you arrive. You get detailed route notes, OS maps, and my phone number if you need anything along the way.

This is not a bus tour with a quick photo stop at the Giant's Causeway. You walk the coast as it should be: at your own pace, with the salt air on your face and the sound of the Atlantic in your ears.

Highlights

Glenariff Forest Park Waterfalls

Walk through ancient oak woodland past cascading waterfalls on the famous Waterfall Walkway in the "Queen of the Glens".

Rathlin Island Puffins

Take the ferry to Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island and watch thousands of seabirds, including puffins, at the RSPB West Light Centre.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Cross the rope bridge suspended 30 metres above the Atlantic for views along the Antrim coast that make your heart race.

The Giant's Causeway

Stand on 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns at the UNESCO World Heritage Site where geology and Irish legend collide.

Who Is This For?

This Causeway Coast walking tour suits active walkers who enjoy 4 to 6 hours of hiking per day across varied terrain. Some days include moderate ascent on moorland paths; others follow coastal tracks and quiet roads. You do not need to be an elite athlete, but a reasonable level of fitness makes the experience far more enjoyable.

This tour is ideal for:

Couples and friends who want to walk one of Europe's great coastal paths together
Solo walkers looking for a well-supported self-guided route with the security of daily accommodation bookings and luggage transfers
Over-50s hikers who value comfort at the end of the day and appreciate having the logistics handled
Nature and wildlife enthusiasts, especially birdwatchers drawn by Rathlin Island's seabird colonies
Photographers drawn to the Causeway Coast's extraordinary mix of geology, light, and seascape

Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Cushendall

expand_more

Settle into your B&B in this charming coastal village at the foot of the Glens. If you arrive early, looped walks around the village will stretch your legs and give you a taste of what lies ahead. The local pubs serve excellent food, and you might catch a session of traditional music before your first full day of hiking.

We will provide you with details on how to get there with public transport or a private taxi in your pre-departure info pack.

Day 2

Glenariff Forest Park to Cushendall

expand_more

pin_drop Glenariff Forest Park → Cushendallhiking 14.8 kmlandscape ↑295mlandscape ↓372m

We bring you to Glenariff Forest Park, the "Queen of the Glens". Walk the famous Waterfall Walkway through ancient woodland and past cascading falls. Choose from circular trails before hiking out of the glen and back along the coast to Cushendall. Watch for red squirrels in the canopy above.

Day 3

Moyle Way: Orra Beg to Ballycastle

expand_more

pin_drop Altarichard Rd → Ballycastlehiking 19.9 kmlandscape ↑540mlandscape ↓879m

We transfer you to the start of the Moyle Way near Orra Beg. This outstanding hike takes you through woodland, across open moorland, and along ridgelines with panoramic views of the coast and, on clear days, Scotland. You descend into Ballycastle where your luggage waits at your B&B.

Day 4

Rathlin Island

expand_more

pin_drop Rathlin → Rathlinhiking 15.7 kmlandscape ↑345mlandscape ↓343m

A short walk from your B&B takes you to the ferry for Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island. The RSPB West Light Seabird Centre hosts thousands of breeding seabirds, with puffins the star attraction from April to July. Walk or cycle the island's quiet roads, visit the upside-down lighthouse, and enjoy the deep peace of a place with more birds than people.

(Ferry tickets not included; must be pre-booked. Weather-dependent.)

Day 5

Ballycastle to Ballintoy via Carrick-a-Rede

expand_more

pin_drop Ballycastle → Ballintoyhiking 14.0 kmlandscape ↑315mlandscape ↓259m

Walk quiet country roads and forest tracks from Ballycastle to the famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, suspended 30 metres above the sea. Cross the bridge (if you dare) for views along the coast in both directions. Continue to the pretty village of Ballintoy, whose harbour served as a Game of Thrones filming location.

(Rope bridge ticket not included; crossing is optional.)

Day 6

Ballintoy to Giant's Causeway and Bushmills

expand_more

pin_drop Ballintoy → Giant's Causewayhiking 18.0 kmlandscape ↑751mlandscape ↓773m

This is the day. The walk from Ballintoy to the Giant's Causeway is the finest coastal walk in Ireland. White Park Bay's crescent beach, Portbraddan's tiny church, the ruins of Dunseverick Castle, and then the cliff-top path drops to the 40,000 interlocking basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway itself. Legend says the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill built them; geologists credit a 60-million-year-old volcanic eruption. Either way, standing on them feels otherworldly.

Important: Sections of today's route are tide-dependent. Your route notes include tide times and alternative paths.

Day 7

Giant's Causeway to Portstewart via Dunluce Castle

expand_more

pin_drop Bushmill → Portstewarthiking 18.2 kmlandscape ↑245mlandscape ↓254m

Your final walking day follows the coast through Portrush to Portstewart. You pass the dramatic ruins of Dunluce Castle, perched on the cliff edge, and walk the magnificent Whiterocks Beach with its limestone caves and sea arches. Ramore Head and Portrush Harbour lead to the promenade walk into Portstewart. Celebrate with a delicious meal and perhaps a dram of Bushmills.

Day 8

Departure from Portstewart

expand_more

After breakfast, your walking holiday ends. If time allows, a morning stroll along Portstewart Strand is a fine way to say goodbye. Buses connect to Coleraine for trains to Belfast and Dublin.

Accommodation

B&B / GuesthouseHotel

You stay in carefully chosen B&Bs, guesthouses, and small hotels along the route. Every place is personally verified. I know the hosts, I know the rooms, and I pick them because they offer comfort, character, and a genuine welcome. You sleep well after a day on the trail, and you wake to a proper Irish breakfast each morning.

All rooms are en-suite. If you have particular requirements (ground floor, dietary needs, specific room types), let me know when you get in touch and I will do my best to accommodate them.

What's Included

check_circle What's Included

done7 nights' accommodation in hand-picked B&Bs (en-suite rooms)
doneFull Irish breakfast daily
doneProfessional walking guides for all guided days
doneDetailed maps (waterproof map case included)
doneDaily luggage transfers — you carry only your day pack
done24/7 emergency support throughout the tour
donePre-departure information pack with route details, packing advice, and local tips

block Not Included

closeFlights to Ireland
closeTravel insurance (strongly recommended)
closeLunches and evening dinners (we'll recommend excellent local spots, but you choose)
closeRathlin Island ferry (approximately €15–20 return; optional on Day 4)
closeCarrick-a-rede Rope Bridge toll (small fee, paid on-site)
closeActivities like whiskey distillery tours or bike rentals
closeAny personal expenses

Best Time to Visit

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

May, June and September are ideal.

April and early May offer fewer visitors, and May brings longer evenings, lighter trail traffic and wildflowers in glen woodlands.

June offers the longest daylight hours.

July and August are the busiest; Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede receive heavy numbers and need advance booking.

September is finest; bracken and heather are gold and rust, light is clear and low-angled, and trails are quieter and accommodation easier to book.

October brings autumn colours and fewer crowds. The trail is walkable year-round, but winter brings short daylight and Atlantic exposure.

Rathlin Island birdwatching is best April–July.

Time your visit with a festival. Many trails host walking festivals throughout the season — see our complete 2026 walking festivals calendar to plan around one.

From

€975 per person

Based on 2 sharing

Preferred Start Date

calendar_month

Book at least 20 days in advance

Number of Walkers

expand_more

mail Ask a Question

phone or call +353 42 932 3396

shield No deposit required to enquire

verified Free changes up to 30 days before

support_agent Personal response within 24 hours

verified

Price Match Promise

Found this holiday cheaper? Send us the URL and we'll match the itinerary, services, and price.

Cliff & Louise

Your Personal Hosts

Have a question about this tour? We've walked it dozens of times and love helping you plan your trip.

Chat on WhatsApp

What Our Walkers Say

★★★★☆ 4.9 out of 5

Based on 24 verified reviews

Read all 24 reviews arrow_forward

★★★★★

"My family and I had the pleasure of hiking this beautiful trail in June 2018. The route description was very clear and very well organised. Thanks for a wonderful experience - highly recommended. Will definitely come back next year!"

Hannah Jacobsen

Norway

★★★★★

Hannah Jacobsen

Norway

★★★★★

Hannah Jacobsen

Norway

★★★★★

"Beautiful nature. Super nice - you come to places where less than 10 people walk by in a day, and the population is very friendly and helpful."

H. de Weerd

Netherlands

★★★★★

"Beautiful nature. Super nice - you come to places where less than 10 people walk by in a day, and the population is very friendly and helpful."

H. de Weerd

Netherlands

★★★★★

"Beautiful nature. Super nice - you come to places where less than 10 people walk by in a day, and the population is very friendly and helpful."

H. de Weerd

Netherlands

★★★★★

"We are already a few days at home and look back on a wonderful time in Northern Ireland. The 500+ stunning photos have been downloaded (perhaps one of the reasons for our slow walking pace!). All B&Bs were excellent - good beds, nice breakfast, quiet location and very friendl..."

Rob B.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

★★★★★

Rob B.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

★★★★★

Rob B.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

★★★★★

"Fortunately, we didn't need your help number during our walking adventure in Northern Ireland last week, but it felt safe to have your number at hand. We had a marvellous holiday and were very lucky with the weather. The trip was very well organised. The hiking routes were c..."

Joke vd W.

Netherlands

★★★★★

Joke vd W.

Netherlands

★★★★★

Joke vd W.

Netherlands

★★★★★

"Very relaxing. Beautiful nature and beautiful surroundings."

M. Rutten

Netherlands

★★★★★

"Very relaxing. Beautiful nature and beautiful surroundings."

M. Rutten

Netherlands

★★★★★

"Very relaxing. Beautiful nature and beautiful surroundings."

M. Rutten

Netherlands

★★★★★

"Beautiful area. Scenic walks through valleys, hills, forests and by coast. Friendly, warm people. Accommodation, transport and organisation of trip are top class."

Michael L

Ireland

★★★★★

"Beautiful area. Scenic walks through valleys, hills, forests and by coast. Friendly, warm people. Accommodation, transport and organisation of trip are top class."

Michael L

Ireland

★★★★★

"Beautiful area. Scenic walks through valleys, hills, forests and by coast. Friendly, warm people. Accommodation, transport and organisation of trip are top class."

Michael L

Ireland

★★★★★

"We had a great walking holiday on the Giant Causeway. Everything was well organised. The B&Bs were good and the people were very friendly. The routes were alternating and sometimes challenging. Most important thing was that Cliff was there when we needed him."

Elly

Netherlands

★★★★★

Elly

Netherlands

★★★★★

Elly

Netherlands

★★★★

"Beautiful walking routes through the beautiful nature of Northern Ireland. Arriving every day in, except for 1, neat and clean B&Bs and being welcomed by all very friendly and helpful people. Very hospitable and beautiful country."

C. Dahmen

Netherlands

★★★★

C. Dahmen

Netherlands

★★★★

C. Dahmen

Netherlands

Frequently Asked Questions

Do your tours cover Northern Ireland as well as the Republic? expand_more

Yes. Our tours span the entire island - both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Causeway Coast and Antrim Glens tour, for example, explores some of Northern Ireland's most dramatic coastal scenery.

What is included in a self-guided walking holiday? expand_more

Our self-guided tours include: carefully selected family-run B&B accommodation, comfortable en-suite bedrooms (where available), a full Irish breakfast each morning, complimentary luggage transfers between accommodations, detailed maps and route notes, local advice on places to visit and eat, full pre-departure information, a waterproof map case, and 24/7 local emergency contact support. Extra nights and local transport information can be arranged on request.

What is NOT included in the tour price? expand_more

The tour price does not include flights, travel and baggage insurance, lunches, or evening meals.

Is a GPS app or digital navigation included? expand_more

Yes. Our tours include a digital route guide with GPS navigation, offline maps, and local insights via our mobile app, so you can navigate confidently even without mobile signal.

Is 24/7 emergency support really available? expand_more

Yes. Our team provides 24/7 local emergency contact support throughout your tour. If you encounter any difficulties on the trail or with your accommodation, you can reach us at any time.

Are evening meals included? expand_more

Evening meals are not included in the standard tour price. Your B&B hosts can usually recommend nearby restaurants, and many guesthouses can arrange an evening meal on request.

Are lunches included? expand_more

Lunches are not included. However, you will typically have the opportunity to purchase picnic lunches, and we provide local advice on where to eat along the route.

What is the difference between a self-guided and a guided walking tour? expand_more

On a self-guided tour, you walk independently using our detailed maps, route notes, and GPS app, with your luggage transferred each day and 24/7 support available. A guided tour provides a local expert guide who walks with you, shares local knowledge, stories and history, and ensures you stay on track and safe. Guided tours also include built-in companionship with fellow walkers.

Showing 8 of 53 FAQs · View all FAQs