Causeway Coastal Route by Motorcycle: Belfast to Derry Along the Antrim Coast

The Causeway Coastal Route runs around the north-east corner of Northern Ireland, from Belfast to Derry~Londonderry, and it is one of the best coast rides in these islands. The southern half follows the A2 along the foot of the Antrim cliffs, with the sea a few metres from the road and the nine Glens of Antrim cutting inland. The northern half runs along the clifftops past the Giant's Causeway and the castles and beaches of the north coast. The whole route is around 200km (125 mi), which can be ridden in a long day, but two days lets you take the side roads and stop at the sights.

Getting there

Most riders from Britain arrive by ferry. Stena Line sails from Cairnryan to Belfast and P&O from Cairnryan to Larne, which drops you straight onto the coast road. Other ferries run to Belfast from Liverpool, and there are crossings to Dublin if you are coming via the Republic. Galloway, on the Scottish side of the Cairnryan crossing, is a fine ride in its own right (see the Galloway guide).

The route

Belfast to Larne (about 35km / 22 mi). Leave Belfast north along Belfast Lough past Carrickfergus, whose Norman castle sits on the water's edge. This is a built-up start, but the lough views are good. Larne is where the coast road proper begins.

Larne to Cushendall on the A2 (about 40km / 25 mi). This is the stretch the route is famous for. North of Larne, the A2 was cut along the base of the chalk and basalt cliffs in the 1830s, and it still clings to the shore, passing through a rock arch north of Larne and running beside the sea through Carnlough and Waterfoot. It is a flowing road with the waves on one side and the cliffs on the other. The surface is good, but spray and sand can blow across in a strong easterly, and parked cars cluster at every beach.

Glenariff detour (about 20km / 12 mi there and back). At Waterfoot, turn inland up Glenariff, the Queen of the Glens. The road climbs a wide valley between steep sides to Glenariff Forest Park, where walking trails lead to waterfalls. The A43 over the top toward Ballymena is a good fast road if you want to make a loop of it.

Cushendall to Ballycastle via Torr Head (about 35km / 22 mi). From Cushendall and Cushendun you have a choice. The main A2 cuts inland over the hills, fast and open. The Torr Head scenic route stays on the coast, and it is the better ride for anyone comfortable on narrow lanes: single track in places, with steep climbs and blind crests, gravel in the middle, and views across the North Channel to the Mull of Kintyre. It is not for big touring bikes in the wet. Fair Head and Murlough Bay lie just off this road before it drops into Ballycastle.

Ballycastle to the Giant's Causeway (about 25km / 16 mi). West of Ballycastle, the B15 coast road passes Carrick-a-Rede, where a rope bridge crosses to a small island, and Ballintoy harbour before reaching the Giant's Causeway, the famous field of basalt columns. Both Carrick-a-Rede and the Causeway visitor centre are busy all summer, and booking ahead helps. Bushmills, home of the distillery, is just inland.

Dunluce, Portrush and Portstewart (about 15km / 9 mi). Dunluce Castle stands on the edge of a cliff just west of the Causeway, half its walls built right up to the drop. Portrush and Portstewart are lively seaside towns with fuel, food and rooms. The Portrush area is also the home of the North West 200 road races, held each May, when the town fills with bikes and some roads close for the racing.

Coleraine, Binevenagh and Derry (about 60km / 37 mi). Past Coleraine, the A2 runs along the shore at Castlerock, where Mussenden Temple sits on the clifftop above Downhill beach. Inland, the Bishop's Road climbs over Binevenagh, a basalt escarpment, with one of the best views in Ireland over Lough Foyle and the beaches toward Donegal. Drop down to Limavady and follow the A2 along Lough Foyle into Derry~Londonderry, a walled city worth an evening.

The Dark Hedges

The Dark Hedges, an avenue of beech trees near Armoy made famous by television, is a short detour inland from Ballycastle. The Bregagh Road through the trees has been closed to motor vehicles since 2017 to protect the roots, with fines for anyone who rides through. Park nearby and walk.

The roads

The A2 is well surfaced and well signed, and most of the route is easy riding. The side roads, Torr Head above all, are narrow, steep and rough in places. Expect tourist traffic on the north coast from June to August, coaches between the Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede, and farm traffic on the lanes. Rain can arrive at any time of year, and the wind off the sea is strong on exposed headlands. Speed limits are in miles per hour, as in the rest of the UK.

Crossing into the Republic

Derry~Londonderry sits on the border with County Donegal, where the Wild Atlantic Way begins. Across the border, speed limits and distances switch to kilometres per hour and kilometres, and fuel is priced in euros. Many riders ride the Causeway Coast and then head south along the Wild Atlantic Way.

When to go

May to September. May and June bring long days and quieter roads (except North West 200 week); July and August are the busiest months on the north coast. Spring and autumn can be very good but wet, and the light on the coast is beautiful in September.

Kit and food

Pack proper waterproofs whatever the season: showers blow in off the sea quickly, and the headlands are windy. The coast villages have good cafés and pubs used to riders, and an Ulster fry at breakfast will keep you going until well past the Causeway.

Where to stay

Ballycastle, Cushendall and Portrush are the best bases, with Derry~Londonderry at the western end. See our Northern Ireland biker hotels, and the riding in the UK page for the rules on the road.