by Mary Caperton Morton Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Left: Rathlin Island is famous for its seabirds, shipwrecks and seafood. Top right: Public pay phones are still a common sight in Northern Ireland. Bottom right: No need to carry a tent or lots of extra food on the Causeway Coast Way, but be sure to pack rain gear. Credit: all: Mary Caperton Morton.
To visit the Causeway Coast, fly into Dublin or Belfast and rent a car or take a bus to Ballycastle, Bushmills or Portstewart. During the summer tourism season, public buses run on a regular schedule up and down the coast. Accommodations are available in most of the small towns, ranging from high-end hotel rooms in Portstewart to quaint bed-and-breakfasts to budget hostels. More information on the Causeway Coast Kayak Association’s Port Moon Bothy hut can be found at: www.canoeni.com/canoe-trails/north-coast-sea-kayak-trail/access-point/port-moon.
The mostly level, cliff-top Causeway Coast Way can be hiked in either direction or in sections. Hiking the whole way will take two to three days. The path passes through or near a number of towns with restaurants and overnight accommodations, making for light backpacks and easy logistics. The main hazard of the walk is weather: Storms along the coast can be ferocious, and much of the trail runs along the top of precipitous cliffs where stiff winds can be deadly. Be sure to check weather reports and tide charts before you go.
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