Exploring Giant’s Causeway and the Coastal Route

I think that it’s safe to assume that I don’t need to convince anyone to add Ireland to their bucket list. But I will tell you about a must-add experience to your itinerary. If a dreamy drive up a coastal highway peppered with sheep, the smell of the ocean air, and a tale of a land created by two giants sounds appealing, you’ll want to head up to Northern Ireland. Giant’s Causeway will leave you speechless.

Where to Stay

Belfast is a popular city to stay in when making the trip to visit Giant’s Causeway; this is also the location of the nearest airport. It’s an hour-and-a-half drive that is absolutely breathtaking.

Room2 Belfast Hometel is a top-tier option offering chic, modern rooms. This hotel has its own bar and coffee shop, as well as a highly rated buffet breakfast available.

easyHotel Belfast is known for its rooms having a simplistic style and is ideally located near multiple public transportation options. Many guests have noted the friendly and helpful staff.

For a budget-friendly option, check out ibis Belfast Queens Quarters . This centrally located hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms and even has pizza available to order 24/7!

The Coastal Route

This drive was truly spectacular and kept us on our toes since the rain was on and off the entire time —fortunately, it remained off during our time at Giant’s Causeway.

We rented a car for this trip. We wanted the freedom to pull over and enjoy the view whenever we pleased, but if you prefer a set itinerary and a tour guide, you can book a bus tour like THIS ONE.

The most direct route from Belfast is via the M2 and A26, but I recommend the Causeway Coastal route. It’s gorgeous, and there are plenty of stops along the way you won’t want to miss (especially for Game of Thrones Fans).

We only made three stops (that weren’t random pull-offs) during our trip. If you want to explore all the Coastal route has to offer, check out The Irish Road Trip.

Our first stop, just outside of Belfast, was Carrickfergus Castle. Because what’s a road trip in Ireland without an Irish castle? It was built in the 12th century and is one of the best-preserved historic monuments in Northern Ireland.

Although the entire drive was beautiful, we picked the perfect spot to stop for a break to really take it all in. Torr Head leads you down a narrow winding road with a sweeping view of vibrant green rolling hills and aqua blue water. The heavy fog blanketing the cliffs gave the place a mystical feel.

Speaking of mystical…

The Dark Hedges, more commonly known as King’s Road from Game of Thrones, was our next stop.

Vehicles are not allowed on the road at the hedges for obvious reasons, so parking is available at the Hedges Hotel. This is what you’ll want to punch into the GPS, or else it’ll take you directly to the Dark Hedges and you might get some weird looks…

As a GOT fan, this was a must-see for me. I was in awe to actually be among the hundred-plus beech trees where Arya Stark had walked. But, I recommend ditching the fantasy of capturing that perfect photo walking alone down the center of the road like you’ve seen on Instagram. There is a very slim chance of that happening since this is a heavily visited site. If you’re going primarily for the photo and not to enjoy the site, my honest opinion is to skip it.

I wanted to note that we did plan to visit the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge as well, which was also featured in GOT. But since we took this trip back in 2021, COVID precautions were still in place, and the bridge was closed. You can currently visit, though, and I hope you do!

The Legend

Our next stop was Giant’s Causeway, but I think it’s more fun to hear the legend beforehand. It makes this already-stunning site even more magical.

From my understanding, there are multiple legends surrounding the creation of Giant’s Causeway. The version we were told is the most popular, and in my opinion, the most epic.

Northern Ireland was once home to a strong giant, Fionn Mac Cumhaill or Finn MacCool (what I’ll be referring to him as). One unassuming day, a messenger came to him with news that the Scottish giant, Benandonner, wanted to determine who was the strongest and biggest giant in Ireland. So he challenged him to a fight. Without hesitating, MaCool accepted and headed to the coast.

With no way across the water, MacCool began grabbing chunks of the land and chucking them in to create a path. Benandonner began doing the same on his side, but after two days, he grew very tired from the effort and eventually fell asleep. MaCool, upon seeing how incredibly large Benandonner was, swiftly retreated back to Ireland.

Knowing Benandonner would eventually wake and come after him, Macool’s wife hatches a plan. She dressed him up as a baby, and when Benandonner arrived, he feared that such a large baby could only be fathered by a ginormous giant. He fled, leaving without another word about the fight.

So this clearly explains the unique uneven pattern of the rock in the coastline…But as much as I love this story, according to Britannica, the basalt columns that make up the Giant’s Causeway were formed by rapid heating and cooling during lava flows some 50-60 million years ago. And in 1986 it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been preserved as a natural wonder.

The Main Event- Giant’s Causeway

Giant’s Causeway makes up 1.9 miles along the coast. Despite being surrounded by stacks of basalt columns at every turn, it never became less impressive. It’s unlike anything else in the entire world, so take your time soaking it in.

Things to keep in mind:

Proper footwear is a must for visiting the causeway. The columns make for very uneven walking, and the ocean’s periodic spray creates slippery surfaces. You’ll want good traction and support.
Dress in Layers. Not only does it rain on and off most of the year (we visited in May), but the oceanic climate keeps it quite cool. But that can all change when you’re in direct sunlight.
There are no toilets or food options down at the site, so be sure to plan accordingly, especially if you’re going to take a few hours to explore.

Parking:

There is parking available at Giant’s Causeway for those who have purchased tickets or are members of the National Trust.

If you’re looking to keep costs low for this trip, Causeway Coast Way Car Park is £10 per person one-way and just a 7-minute walk away.

We decided to park at Giant’s Causeway Station for £8.00, and an even closer 4-minute walk away. It’s the left turn before the official car park. (There were bathrooms here, which was a bonus)

Ways to Explore

Now, you may have noticed that I mentioned purchasing tickets above. This is entirely optional since visiting Giant’s Causeway is actually free. The tickets grant you access to the visitor center, reserved parking, and a guided tour. You can book your visitor experience HERE.

There is a minibus that is £1 per person for one way. It will take you 0.5 miles from the visitor’s center to the causeway.

We decided to go with the free options for this visit.

There are four routes that will lead you to the causeway:

Blue Trail– The most accessible of the trails. It’s about half a mile downhill on a completely paved road, and offers a beautiful view of the coast even before you round the corner to the main attraction. This is the option we took to head down to the Causeway.

Green Trail– This is another relatively easy and accessible trail. This 2-mile (in total) trail will give you scenic views of the Inishowen Peninsula and Scotland on clear days.

Yellow Trail– This trail begins at Runkerry Head and finishes at Hamilton’s Seat, following along the clifftops, with detours that will grant you access to Giant’s Causeway. It’s a 1.8-mile section, but it connects with Green and Red Trails, making it longer in total.

Red Trail– We ended up taking this trail as well and were not disappointed. It is 0.8 miles one way and gives you an up close look at the Organ and red rocks. The trail then leads up Shepard’s stairs to a gorgeous view along the clifftops — note that we technically did this trail in reverse; usually it brings you down the stairs to the causeway.

Experience a Place Filled with Beauty and Legend

There are plenty of ways to enjoy Giant’s Causeway, from the drive to trekking around the coast and finding the best view. I hope it’s one you choose to add to your itinerary when you make it out to the stunning country of Ireland. The land is saturated in history and natural wonders that can’t be beat. This place will leave you feeling as if you experienced Irish folklore firsthand.