Northern Ireland Causeway Coast Guided Trail

Northern Ireland’s rugged Causeway Coast delivers on far-reaching Atlantic views, mist-wreathed headlands, and a slew of spots that eagle-eyed visitors may recognise from Game of Thrones. Learn about long-gone Gaelic kingdoms as you explore the crumbling clifftop remains of Dunseverick and Dunluce castles and test your mettle crossing the nerve-shredding Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. There’s also the chance to spot rare seabirds on Rathlin Island and visit the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway – a geological marvel with approximately 40,000 hexagonal-shaped stepping stones dating back almost 60 million years.
What you’ll love
- Walking the best of the Causeway Coastal Route
- Spending time in historic Belfast
- Crossing the Giant’s Causeway
- A boat trip to Rathlin Island
- Spotting rare seabirds and wildlife
- Soaking up views over Ballycastle and the coast
- A more personalised experience thanks to small group sizes (maximum 15 people)
What’s included
- Comfortable en-suite rooms in our partner accommodation(s)
- Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
- Daily packed lunches
- Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
- Guided walks with an experienced HF Holidays Leader
- All transport to and from walks where necessary
- Return flights from London Heathrow to Belfast, including hold baggage and airport transfers
Please note - Admission costs are in addition to your holiday price, please see “Essential Information” section for details.
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
Gallery
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Meet at the hotel reception at 1830 for a quick introduction to the holiday before dinner. If you’re in Belfast early, take time to visit the Titanic museum (booking advisable), it’s well worth it, and if you’ve the energy after dinner, take a stroll to the famous Crown Bar, and enjoy the craic.
Our local guide takes us on a discovery of the stories and histories of Belfast this morning, before we head north to the Causeway Coast, with time to explore the mystical “Dark Hedges” on the way. Time to relax at the hotel this afternoon, or join us for a walking tour of charming Ballycastle, our base for the rest of our holiday.
This has to be one of the best walks in Northern Ireland, and leads from the geological wonder and world famous UNESCO site of Giant’s Causeway to the clifftop ruins of Dunseverick Castle. There is plenty of time to explore as our walks take us through the towering basalt columns (the tallest is 12m high and there are approx. 40,000 of these impressive hexagonal columns in total). Our transport picks us up from Dunseverick Castle and takes us on to Dunluce Castle for a short visit, before we head back to Ballycastle.
Please note – entrance to the visitor centre at Giant’s Causeway has not been included in the price, as many of you will be entitled to free or reduced entrance fee if you have National Trust membership. Entrance to Dunluce Castle is not included.
6.5 miles (10.5km) with 1,000 feet (300m) of ascent
Walk the Causeway coastal path from Carrick a Rede to picture perfect Ballintoy Harbour, with the opportunity to cross the historic rope bridge to the “rock in the road”. Continue along the shoreline to see fantastic rock formations and an array of coastal birds before exploring White Park Bay, a unique chalk beach.
The charge for the Rope Bridge is not included, free for NT members.
6 miles (9.5km) with 150 ft (40m) of ascent and 450ft (140m) of descent
Rathlin Island. The northernmost point of the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and home to tens of thousands of seabirds including guillemots, kittiwakes, puffins and razorbills. Stunning walking today, and plenty of free time this afternoon to visit the RSPB centre (in season), the lighthouse, take a bus tour of the island, or to take the ferry back to Ballycastle and relax at our hotel.
6 miles (9.5km) with 550 feet (170m) of ascent
Breathtaking views from the cliff tops of Fairhead on this wild and ruggedly beautiful walk. Fantastic views towards Ballycastle and Rathlin Island, and to picturesque Murlough Bay.
4 miles (6.5km) with 850 feet (280m) of ascent
Home to Northern Ireland’s most impressive waterfalls, we’ll follow the forest trails that showcase the best of the park before joining a section of Moyle Way from Lara Lodge, to finish in the pretty Waterfoot Village. On our route home we’ll make a stop to discover the stories and histories of Loughareema/The Vanishing Lake.
7.5 miles (12km) with 450 feet (140m) of ascent and 1,100 feet (340m) of descent
A morning group transfer takes us back to Belfast today, to the City airport, and afterwards (on request) to Great Victoria Street railway station.

The Clayton Hotel, Belfast
The Clayton Hotel, Belfast, is a comfortable 4* hotel, in the perfect location.
A short walk from the railway station, and easily reachable from the airport bus route, the Clayton is the ideal base for us to explore the city from.
All rooms have tea/coffee making facilities, free wifi, TV, hairdryer etc.
Marine Hotel, Ballycastle
A cracking seafront location in the heart of charming Ballycastle, the 3* Marine Hotel looks out over the town’s beautiful beach and marina, and gives us the perfect base for our walks exploring the Causeway Coast. All rooms are comfortable ensuites, with tea/coffee making facilities, TV, hairdryer, and free Wi-Fi is available in the public areas. This hotel is dog-friendly so you may meet four legged friends in some of the communal areas.
Essential information
It's best to be prepared for all weather conditions. To make it easier, here is a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Insulated jacket/top
- Walking clothing
- Walking socks (plus spares)
- Sunhat
- Gloves/mitts and warm hat
- Water bottle (minimum 2 litre capacity)
- Headtorch
- High-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)
- Sunglasses with a dark lens
- Rucksack (15-30 litres)
- Mobile phone
- Personal first aid kit (containing your medication, blister plasters, etc.)
- Passport
- Visa (if applicable)
- Copy of your travel insurance policy
- UK Global Health Insurance Card (formerly known as EHIC)
Recommended
- Collapsible walking poles
- Swimwear and travel towel
- Snacks
- Dry bags
- Rubbish bags
- Insect repellent
Optional extras
- Camera
- Sit mat
- Flask for hot drinks
- Durable lunch box
- Gaiters
- GPS device
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Members save £30 on all prices. Join today! Click here or call us to find out more.
If you choose land only, you will be responsible for making your own travel arrangements, including your flights and airport transfers at your destination. Any flights booked independently will also not be covered by our ATOL license.
Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | ||||||||
17 May - 24 May 2025 7 nights |
Guided Trail Flight from London Gatwick Airport Single from £2,209
Double Call to Enquire
|
Call to Enquire |
from £2,209 |
Trip Notes
|
Enquire | |||
21 Jun - 28 Jun 2025 7 nights |
Guided Trail Flight from London Heathrow Airport
Single Call to Enquire
Double from £1,985 pp |
from £1,985 pp |
Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
|
Enquire | |||
20 Sep - 27 Sep 2025 7 nights |
Guided Trail Flight from London Heathrow Airport
Single Call to Enquire
Double Call to Enquire
|
Call to Enquire | Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
|
||||
04 Oct - 11 Oct 2025 7 nights |
Guided Trail Flight from London Heathrow Airport
Single Call to Enquire
Double from £1,829 pp |
from £1,829 pp |
Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
|
Enquire |
Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | ||||||||
17 May - 24 May 2025 7 nights |
Guided Trail Single from £2,049
Double Call to Enquire
|
Call to Enquire |
from £2,049 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
21 Jun - 28 Jun 2025 7 nights |
Guided Trail
Single Call to Enquire
Double from £1,799 pp |
from £1,799 pp |
Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
20 Sep - 27 Sep 2025 7 nights |
Guided Trail
Single Call to Enquire
Double Call to Enquire
|
Call to Enquire | Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
|
||||
04 Oct - 11 Oct 2025 7 nights |
Guided Trail
Single Call to Enquire
Double from £1,699 pp |
from £1,699 pp |
Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now |

Average carbon footprint per person Learn More