Highlights of the Causeway Coastal Route
Before you meet your magnificent Irish Cobs, Sport Horses or Connemaras, you have a journey of pure scenic wonder ahead of you: The Causeway Coastal Route.
For our riders renting a car, or taking our private guided driver (see details here) to travel north from Dublin, we don’t just recommend the motorway—we implore you to take the longer, exquisite way round. Consider this drive not a transit, but a breathtaking appetizer for your week in the saddle. Weaving along the stunning Antrim Coast, you’ll trade city streets for dramatic sea-cliffs, charming fishing villages, and sweeping views of the Scottish islands on a clear day.
This self-guided journey from Dublin to our base in Ballycastle is the perfect way to attune your senses to the sheer, rugged beauty of the North Coast. Once you arrive, refreshed by the Atlantic air and the stunning drive, you’ll be ready to swap your driving gloves for riding ones. Get ready for an adventure that begins the moment you leave Dublin and culminates with us, exploring these very landscapes on horseback!
Read on for some pitstop recommendations!
1. Titanic Museum, Belfast
Not strictly on the Causeway Coastal Route, but a worthy detour while passing through Belfast. The Titanic Belfast is more than a museum—it is a world-class, state-of-the-art visitor attraction dedicated to the creation, launch, maiden voyage, and tragic loss of the RMS Titanic. It stands on the very site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard where the ship was designed and built, making it the world’s most authentic location to experience the Titanic story.
2. Carrickfergus Castle
Carrickfergus Castle is one of the most historically significant and best-preserved Norman castles in all of Ireland, serving as a powerful and imposing monument on the northern shore of Belfast Lough.
Today, the castle is maintained as a historical site and features fascinating historical displays, life-like medieval exhibits (including a Great Hall and armoury), and a collection of 17th- to 19th-century cannons lining the outer walls.
3. Glenariff Forest Park
Glenariff Forest Park is a majestic natural oasis often referred to as the “Queen of the Glens” among the nine Glens of Antrim.
This expansive park covers over 1,000 hectares of planted woodland, lakes, and conservation areas, but its most famous feature is the Waterfall Walkway. This circular, 3 km trail takes visitors down into a scenic river gorge via steps and boardwalks built on stilts, offering spectacular views of three major waterfalls and tranquil pools.
A perfect spot for a scenic leg-stretch and picnic, the park provides multiple walking trails with panoramic views. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and a wonderful immersion into the deep green heart of the Antrim coast.
4. Glenarm Castle and Gardens
Glenarm Castle and Gardens is a historic private country estate that remains the ancestral home of the McDonnell family, the Earls of Antrim, nestled in the scenic Glens of Antrim along the Causeway Coastal Route. The most popular visitor attraction on the estate is the internationally acclaimed Walled Garden, regarded as one of the finest and oldest walled gardens in Ireland. The estate also features a beautiful Woodland Walk and numerous artisan shops, a tea room, and often hosts major events, such as the famous Highland Games and Tulip Festival.
5. Carrick – a – Rede Rope Bridge
The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is one of the most famous and thrilling attractions on the Causeway Coastal Route, located near the town of Ballintoy.
The exhilarating experience takes you high above the water to a small island. Once you reach the island, you are rewarded with phenomenal panoramic views of the rugged coastline, including the beautiful Whitepark Bay, the island of Rathlin, and even the Scottish Islands on a clear day. The area is also known for its diverse geology and is a great spot for birdwatching (seabirds like kittiwakes and fulmars).
Enjoy the journey, and we look forward to meeting you soon!
Recent Comments