The Antrim Coast and Glens Walking
The Antrim Coast and Glens Walking
The Antrim Coast and Glens Walking
8 Days Starting in Cushendall and ending in Portstewart
Visiting: United Kingdom
Tour operator:
Tour code:
W07AN
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This 7 night holiday explores the beautiful Northern Ireland coastline and the most famous Glens in the area. You start by exploring the nature reserves of Slievenorra and Glenariff, with spectacular views and bird watcing a plenty! Through forest paths and along the magnificent coastline, this holiday has it all. Visit the wonderful Rathlin Island renowned for its sea birds and classed as the largest sea bird colony in Europe.
Cross the famous Carrick-a-Rede bridge used as a location in the popular Game of Thrones TV series and walk across the magnificent UNESCO listed Giant's Causeway where there are more than 40,000 hexagonal interlocking, basalt columns, formed over 60 million years ago by volcanic eruptions or maybe, as local legend suggests, built by the giant Fionn as a path to Scotland to challenge his rival there.
Coastal walking galore, impressive forests and waterfalls, a naturalists delight, the impressive Giants Causeway, fantastic castles, beautiful beaches and a whiskey distillery - experience it all here in Northen Ireland.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Cushendall
Arrival in Cushendall
Day 2 : Orra Beg To Glenariff Forest Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
A transfer to Orra Beg today and you’ll head south to through the Slieveanorra Nature Reserve, which has spectacular views over the glens and plays host to a great variety of birds. From Slieveanorra you carry on over open moorland towards Trostan Mountain and on to the Glenariff Nature Reserve and Forest Park with its visitor centre, nature trails and famous waterfalls. From here you will be collected and returned to your accommodation.
Day 3 : Orra Beg To Ballycastle
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a transfer to Orra Beg you head north for Ballycastle along the Moyle Way. Passing through forest tracks and along the banks of the Glenshesk River through the Breen Oakwood Nature Reserve. Continuing onward by country road with views of the Glenshesk River, Knocklayd Mountain and Coolaveely Wood before following a good forest path through Ballycastle Forest following a good forest path into Ballycastle itself where you stay for the next three nights.
Day 4 : Fair Head Loop
Meals Included: Breakfast
A return transfer takes you to the start of your walk around the magnificent coastal route of Murlough and Fair Head. The path hugs this ruggedly beautiful coast with dramatic cliff drops. Return to Ballycastle.
Day 5 : Rathlin Island
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rathlin is described as a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered and is just six miles across the Sea of Moyle (return ticket included). It’s an L-shaped island, six miles long and nowhere is more than a mile across. The island is a naturalist’s delight and you can choose between three walks varying from 1.5 miles to 4 miles. Visit the RSPB West Light viewpoint to see the puffins, guillemots and razorbills along with kittiwakes and fulmars, which together make up the largest seabird colony in Europe. Overnight at Ballycastle.
Day 6 : Larrybane To The Giants Causeway
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to Larrybane visitor centre and the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. The bridge first built in 1755 by salmon fishermen spans an 80 foot deep chasm that renders Carrick-a-Rede an island. Continue along the coastal path to Ballintoy, a fantastic little harbour at the foot of the cliffs before reaching the beautiful White Park Bay. Stroll onwards to the village of Portbraddan and the ruins of Dunseverick Castle and on to the Giant’s Causeway. More than 40,000 hexagonal interlocking, basalt columns formed over 60 million years ago by volcanic eruptions or as local legend suggests, built by the giant Fionn as a path to Scotland to challenge his rival there. From here you take the public bus (payable locally) for the last few miles into Bushmills, your destination for the evening and where you can find the famous Bushmills whiskey distillery.
Day 7 : Portballintrae To Portstewart
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a transfer, today’s walk begins on the coastal road to Portrush passing the beautiful Magheracross viewpoint and medieval Dunluce Castle, perched precariously high on a promontory overlooking the sea. Onwards to Whiterocks beach with its limestone white cliffs, the coastal path leads you up around Ramore Head before reaching pretty Portrush harbour. Its then just a few miles along the beach and causeway markers before reaching the promenade in Portstewart where you spend your final evening.
Day 8 : Leave Portstweart
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart Portstweart after breakfast
What's Included
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Transfers for Land only (available on request at additional cost)
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request, compulsory supplement)
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Visas and vaccinations
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Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request, compulsory supplement)Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)Transfers for Land only (available on request at additional cost)Visas and vaccinations
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Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)Transfers for Land only (available on request at additional cost)Visas and vaccinations
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— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement) — Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date) — Transfers for Land only (available on request at additional cost) — Visas and
Food
All breakfasts included. Irish food is not exactly famous, but what you will find is extremely good ingredients used to create basic and classic dishes, both Irish beef and Irish lamb, are certainly well known all over Ireland and further afield. You will see rack of lamb, lamb stew and shepherd’s pie, in most places. The county’s other basket is the Atlantic Ocean, and its rivers and loughs. Sea bream and Sea Bass are popular.Trout and Salmon can be served in many different ways, and there is an abundance of shell fish, local chowders are excellent and look out for crab gratin. Wine is readily available but of course one of the symbols of Ireland is Guinness, and we can say from experience that it tastes better in Ireland, but if have a thirst after a long walk, beware the Guinness is not poured quickly, many might say there is a certain amount of time you need to leave after filling the glass halfway up the harp. However it should be left until you see a vivid distinction between the dark body and the creamy white head. Only then can the rest of the glass be filled. Learning from thelocals, you should order your second pint before you have finished your first!Craft beer is making a name for itself in Ireland and there are some excellent local ones. Ireland in general is renowned for its whiskey and in Northern Ireland you can sample the world famous Bushmills whiskey. A visit to the distillery in Co. Antrim is not to be missed.
Accommodation
Glendale B&B, CUSHENDALLGlendale is a family run B&B located on the famous Coast Road in the pictureque village of Cushendall and just 4 minutes walk from the beach. It is set in private gardens and around 100 yards from the road. It offers views of the sea and the nearby Lurig Mountain. CORRATAVEY B&B, BALLYCASTLECorratavey bed and breakfast is a few minutes walk to Ballycastle seafront and harbour and is situated close to the Giants Causeway Coast & Glens. COTTESMORE B&B, BUSHMILLSCottesmore bed and breakfast is set on the edge of Bushmills Village and in a designated 'Area of outstanding Natural Beauty'. It is the perfect location for exploring the Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge and just a 5 minute walk from the world famous 'Old Bushmills Whiskey Distillery'. Rooms are modern and tastefully decorated. CUL-ERG HOUSE B&B, PORTSTEWARTCul-Erg House is a delightful guest house and is a two minute stroll to the clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Ideally situated close to a host of visitor attractions, including the world famous golf courses, in Portstewart, Portrush and Castlerock. This area of outstanding beauty. The renowned Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Bushmills Distillery and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge to name but a few, all beckon to be explored and enjoyed.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.