Riding the Causeway Coastal Route is a wonderful, humble experience. It stretches for 120 miles between the cities of Belfast and Londonderry. Looping around the north coast of Northern Ireland, the road takes in fantastic coastal views. It passes through vibrant cities, rustic towns and tiny, bustling villages. Up and over mountains, down to the coast and back again, it’s a smooth ride that is sure to provide something for every kind of traveller. The road can be ridden in one day, but at least three days are recommended. There are nine short loops that deviate from the main road and lead to some fantastic attractions.
Planning your ride on the Causeway Coastal Route
The road starts at either Belfast or Londonderry depending on which way you choose to travel. Simply head for the A2 and follow the brown “Causeways Coastal Route” signs.
The road surface is smooth, modern tarmac and the ride is easy going. For most of its length it’s a two lane road, though some sections are fairly narrow. Some of the small detours will take you onto small single track lanes with passing places. While these are fairly well surfaced, there may be some patchy areas.
During the summer months the road sees a fair amount of touristic traffic. Expect to encounter tour buses, caravans, cyclists, especially at weekends. The best times to ride the road are weekdays outside of high season. It’s a road to take your time with however and taking it slow isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Fuel is readily available all along the route. Even some of the smaller villages have an old filling station that is still in operation.
Accommodation and food
While the road can easily be ridden in a day, there is a lot to see in this area and it is worth taking your time with it. There are many options for accommodation, from luxury hotels to excellent campsites. Several campsites can easily be reached from the road, all of which offer excellent facilities. There are some excellent guesthouses dotted along the route and hotels can be found in the larger towns. During high season it is worth booking in advance. Ballycastle is a small, vibrant town about halfway round the route. It’s a great place to spend an evening or even a day or two, with fantastic attractions and pubs.
Excellent food is readily available along the entire route. Restaurants and cafes can be found in towns and most villages on the route. Good old fashioned pub grub is hearty and warming, while seafood restaurants are also well worth checking out. Rourke’s kitchen in Ballintoy is a great place to find some home made food for lunch or tea.
Weather considerations
Northern Ireland is subject to a considerable amount of rain throughout the year and it can strike at any time. Be sure to pack waterproofs, but don’t be put off. It does enjoy sunshine every now and then!
Sights
The Causeway Coastal Route hides many gems along the road. There are nine scenic drives that loop off and then back onto the main road. Ancient ruins, stunning waterfalls and natural phenomenons are just some of the wonders to behold. Obviously the Giant’s causeway will be high up on many people’s to do list and it is well worth it. The nine Glens of Antrim can all be accessed from the road and are beautiful. Bushmills is a charming little town that is well worth a visit, if only for the world famous distillery. The Game of thrones TV series was filmed in several locations around the road and fans may recognize some of the sights.
