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The entire coastline around the north-eastern part of Ireland is
a succession of majestic headlands and beautiful bays, and if you
appreciate dramatic seascapes, this itinerary will give you your
fill! The tour is built around Causeway Coast, which features the
legendary Giant’s Causeway (Ireland’s first World Heritage
Site) as its centrepiece, and the nine beautiful Glens of Antrim
that carve through the Antrim Plateau on their way to the sea. The
region, which is steeped in history, legend and folklore, provides
for a magnificent bicycle tour!
This part of Ireland once formed the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada,
a realm of rounded mountains and deep glens, stark sea cliffs
and white beaches. The
Giant’s Causeway (route 3), probably the best known of Ireland’s
many natural wonders, is the focal point of a coastline of exceptional
beauty that frames the north east corner of the country.
The Causeway Coast (routes 2, 3), running east/west and fronting
the Atlantic Ocean, is a succession of majestic headlands separated
by sandy coves. Ruined strongholds, such as the fabulously located
Dunluce Castle, cap several of these headlands. A cave on Rathlin
Island, lying a few miles offshore, provided refuge for Robert
the Bruce in 1306 after his defeat by the English at Perth. The
island is a haven for bird watching.
Along the Antrim Coast (routes 4, 5) that borders the Irish
Sea, lofty chalk cliffs tower over raised beaches.
Running down to this coast are the nine Glens of Antrim (routes
3, 4, 5, 6), a series of valleys carved into the volcanic basalt
of the Antrim Plateau. The Glens, isolated until the Antrim Coast
Road (routes 5, 6) was blasted out of the cliffs in the nineteenth
century, are a particularly rich source of folklore. The Coast
Road, renowned for its startling scenic contrasts, gives great
views of the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland, only a dozen miles away
at the shortest crossing.
Between the Sperrin Mountains and the Glens, the River Bann
Valley (route 1) is a peaceful rural backwater.
| Route |
Start |
Finish |
Core
miles |
Extension
miles |
1 |
Ballymena |
Aghadowey |
35 |
<22 |
2 |
Aghadowey |
Bushmills |
31 |
<34 |
3 |
Bushmills |
Ballycastle |
32 |
<24 |
4 |
Ballycastle |
Ballycastle |
38 |
<18 |
5 |
Ballycastle |
Cushendall |
36 |
<21 |
6 |
Cushendall |
Ballymena |
42 |
<14 |
- Duration: 7 nights
- Suggested start dates: Any day from mid-April
to Mid-October
- Bike rental: Available
- Luggage transfers: Available
- Airport transfers: Available
- Trailhead town: Ballymena, Co Antrim
- Destination town: Ballymena, Co Antrim
| Basic Tour |
€495 |
Single accommodation supplement
(if required) |
€140 |
| Optional |
| Bicycle rental |
€120 |
| Luggage transfers |
€180 basic cost plus €15
per rider (eg total cost
1 rider = €195
2 riders = €210
3 riders = €225 etc….) |
| Panniers rental |
€10 (per pair) |
| Airport transfers |
Contact us for a quote
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- 7 nights accommodation (with breakfast)
- Detailed itinerary including:
- route maps, cue sheets and written directions
- directions to and contact details for accommodations
- information about en route attractions and interest sites
- details of en-route services including suggested refreshment
stops
- information about trailhead town, staging towns and destination
town
- suggestions for evening meals and for evening entertainment
- telephone helpline
- Trip preparation information about
- what to bring (including recommended clothing list)
- getting to and from the tour from arrival & departure
points
- money
- climate and weather
- shopping
- eating and drinking
- tipping …………etc.
View details
on how to get to and from this tour >
Attractions
and sites of interest on or close to the routes >
Make an Availability
Enquiry >
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