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Causeway Coast

22.37 miles (36 km)

Open Streetmap Follow National Cycle Network Route 93 along the North Atlantic coast on this exhilarating cycle route in Northern Ireland. The route runs for about 23 miles from the Giant's Causeway to the village of Castle Rock in Londonderry. There's wonderful coastal views, ruined castles, pretty beaches and a series of interesting towns and villages to see on the route.
The route starts at the spectacular geological formation known as the Giant's Causeway. You then head south to the village of Bushmills where you can enjoy views of the River Bush and visit the Old Bushmills Distillery where they make Bushmills Original and Black Bush whiskies. You continue west to the ruined medieval Dunluce Castle. The striking coastal castle is located near Portballintrae and is very photogenic.
The route continues to the lovely seaside resort of Portrush. This is a good place to stop for refreshments with a number of cafes and pubs to choose from. The town has nice sandy beaches and great coastal views towards the Skerries. You can catch boats from Portrush to the Giant's Causeway which pass the islands. You can then look out for the large range of seabirds which inhabitat the islands. These include kittiwake, black guillemot and eider duck. The trail also passes the Royal Portrush Golf Club, the only golf club outside of mainland Great Britain which has hosted the Open Championship.
The next section runs from Portrush to Portstewart. Portstewart is another very pretty coastal town with a sandy beach, scenic coastal paths and attractive harbour. The lovely 2 two-mile long beach of Portstewart Strand is one of the most popular attractions in Northern Ireland.
From Portstewart the route heads inland along the River Bann to Coleraine. The final section runs from Coleraine to the seaside village of Castle Rock.
Here you can visit the noteworthy Mussenden Temple. The National Trust owned estate includes 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.

Causeway Coast Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head west into Derry city and you can pick up the Foyle Valley Cycle Route. The ride takes you along a dismantled railway and the River Foyle to Lifford and Strabane.

Photos

Giant's Causeway (42068920862)

Giant's Causeway. The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption, or it was built by a giant. Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool), from the Fenian Cycle of Gaelic mythology, was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner.

National Cycle Network milepost, Coleraine - geograph.org.uk - 2223315

National Cycle Network milepost, Coleraine

Giant's Causeway (40308157990)

Causeway Coast

Pedestrian bridge, Coleraine - geograph.org.uk - 222947

Pedestrian bridge, Coleraine

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Causeway Coast.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Causeway Coast.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)