Giant's Causeway Walk
This spectacular coastal causeway in Northern Ireland has a unique polygonal landscape feature.
In a 2005 poll of Radio Times readers, the Giant's Causeway was named as the fourth greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom. The geological features include the 'Organ' where huge columns of basalt resemble Organ Pipes. You'll also pass the the Giant's Boot and a natural stone throne known as the Wishing Chair. You can also climb the 167 Shepherd's Steps for wonderful views across the coast. The is also a nature reserve so look out for a variety of flora and fauna including many species of plants, fungi, lichen, birds, spiders, beetles and butterflies.
The walk starts at the excellent National Trust Visitor Centre where you will find a wealth of information and a good sized car park. You then follow footpaths past the headland of Great Stookan, Port Granny, Grand Causeway and Port Noffer. The walk returns via the Organ and the Giant's Chair. The walk can be extended by continuing along the North Antrim Coast Path towards Dunseverick.
If you would like to visit the causeway by bike then National Cycle Network Route 93 runs to the site along the fantastic Causeway Coast Cycle Route. You can pick up the trail from Castle Rock, Portrush or Bushmills. Heading east along the coast will take you to Carrick-a-Rede. Here you can try the famous, nerve tangling rope bridge which takes you over the rocks to the lovely Carrick-a-Rede Island.
Postcode
BT57 8SU - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsGiant's Causeway Open Street Map 
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Giant's Causeway Open Street Map 
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Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To continue your walking in the area head west along the coast to visit another local highlight at Mussenden Temple. Here you will find the ruins of the historic Downhill House and the wonderfully positioned 18th century cliff top temple. From here there are more outstanding views over the Inishowen Peninsula to enjoy.
The Portballintrae to Ballintoy Coastal Walk passes the site on its way along a popular section of the Causeway Coast.
To the south west there's the Portrush to Portstewart Cliff Walk as well.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Information Board. This struck me as an ingenious way to provide information. The hexagonal column is mounted on an axle so that it can be rotated, and there is information inset into the faces of the column.
'The Organ'. 'The Organ' is a section of huge basalt rocks set into the hillside near the Giant's Causeway, so called as they resemble organ pipes. They consist of photogenic columns of solidified lava.
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Looking out over the famous basalt rocks towards the Atlantic Ocean beyond. A few pretty wildflowers in the foreground.
The foremost headland, stretching furthest to seaward, is the Giant's Causeway itself. The next one beyond is Great Stookan, and the faint white line on the horizon is Curran Strand and Portrush.
The best place to see the whole of the Causeway. The main rib is the Grand Causeway, broken just at its near end at the Giant's Gate to allow access to Port Noffer and beyond. The shorter spur to the left is the Middle Causeway and the Little Causeway is to the left again. At the landward end is the turning circle for the shuttle bus which takes passengers to and from the car park and visitor centre on the clifftop.
Some of the many thousands of basalt columns which make up the Causeway. The columns formed as the hot magma cooled and contracted, leaving the cracks between. Hexagons are the most efficient shape for close packing.
Giant's Causeway Station. The station, with a view towards Portballintrae beyond. This is the northern terminus of the narrow-gauge railway from Bushmills.
