Walking the Giant’s Causeway, Coast and Glens

We meet in Belfast and travel north together towards the Causeway Coast, with our first stop at the Dark Hedges. This famous avenue of beech trees makes a great leg-stretcher and a gentle introduction to the landscape of Northern Ireland before we continue towards the coast.

From here, we head on to the seaside town of Ballycastle to pick up lunch, then continue to Murlough Bay, one of the most scenic corners of the Antrim coast. With its sweeping views across the water to Scotland, this is a brilliant place to begin our walking. Keep an eye out for dolphins and seabirds as we enjoy a relaxed coastal route that gives you time to settle into the pace of the trip and enjoy being outdoors from the very first afternoon.

Later in the day, we travel on to our base for the break, the Fullerton Arms Hotel, where you can check in, freshen up and unwind after your first day of walking.

In the evening, we come together for dinner in the hotel, a relaxed start to the trip and a great chance to get to know the group properly before the days ahead.

Today offers two great options, depending on ferry services and the time of year.

When conditions allow, we travel to Rathlin Island, known for its wildlife, coastal paths and big sea views. During puffin season, this is a real highlight, with time to visit the RSPB reserve and enjoy an easy walk across the island before returning to the mainland.

If the ferry is not running, or if we’re outside puffin season, we switch to a walk in the Glens of Antrim instead. Here you’ll enjoy either a woodland route through quiet forest trails or a coastal walk with open views, choosing the best option for the day’s conditions.

Whichever route we take, the day finishes in relaxed style with time for tea, cake or a drink before heading back to the hotel.

We will then head out for dinner at a different venue.

Please note ferry fees and entry to the RSPB reserve are not included.

Today is the centrepiece of the trip — a full day exploring the coastline around the Giant’s Causeway, the place that draws people to this part of Northern Ireland in the first place.

We start with a short transfer before setting off on a coastal route that gradually reveals this remarkable stretch of shoreline. The walk follows clifftop paths and quiet bays, passing rocky beaches where oystercatchers and other seabirds are often spotted, before reaching the ruins of Dunseverick Castle, a simple but striking clifftop stronghold that has watched over this coast for centuries.

From here, the path continues along the headland, and it’s at this point that the Giant’s Causeway begins to come into view. Arriving on foot makes the experience feel more meaningful than simply turning up by car. You see how the landscape changes, how the rock formations begin to appear, and how this unusual coastline builds towards the place everyone comes to see.

The Causeway itself is made up of thousands of interlocking basalt columns formed by volcanic activity around 60 million years ago. Over time, the natural patterns in the rock have inspired stories, legends and plenty of debate, but standing among them, what really stays with you is how different this stretch of coast feels from anywhere else in the UK.

We’ll spend time exploring the stones and the surrounding paths at an easy pace, giving you the chance to take photos, walk out onto the formations and simply enjoy being there without feeling rushed.

Afterwards, there’s time to reward yourself with a well-earned stop at a local tearoom in a converted old schoolhouse nearby, perfect for a cup of tea, coffee or cake before we head back after a full and satisfying day on the coast.

Our final day takes us along another memorable stretch of the Causeway Coast, mixing coastal walking with some of the area’s best-known landmarks.

For those who wish, today includes the option to walk out to the tiny island of Carrick-a-Rede via its famous rope bridge. First built by salmon fishermen in the 18th century, the bridge spans a narrow sea channel and offers impressive views down to the Atlantic and across to the surrounding cliffs and caves. Crossing the bridge is completely optional — if you’d rather stay on solid ground, there are plenty of scenic paths and viewpoints nearby that still make this a rewarding part of the day.

After time to explore the area, we stop for a well-earned cup of tea before continuing our walk along the coast towards Ballintoy Harbour, a small working harbour framed by cliffs and sea stacks. From here, we head on to the striking Elephant Rock formation, a natural feature that stands out clearly against the coastline and makes a great final photo stop.

If there is time we then travel on to Kinbane Castle, perched dramatically on a narrow limestone headland. It’s a short walk down to the ruins, and those who make the descent are rewarded with wide sea views and a real sense of how strategic this coastline once was.

After lunch together, we begin our journey back towards Belfast. We allow time for a few comfort stops along the way, but ask everyone to book onward travel with a little flexibility, as coastal roads and traffic can be unpredictable. We arrive back in the city in the afternoon, bringing our walking break along the Giant’s Causeway, Coast and Glens to a relaxed and fitting close.