Depending on if you go, your Giant’s Causeway go to might be wonderful or common. We are going to share tips on how to go to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland that will help you fall in love with it the method we did.
The Giant’s Causeway is the hottest attraction in all of Northern Ireland and with good purpose. It is really unimaginable.
Tips for Visiting the Giant’s Causeway
We have visited the Giant’s Causeway on three separate events totaling 5 visits (dawn and sundown) and it by no means ceases to amaze us. However, out of our 5 visits, one Giant’s Causeway go to was lower than stellar as a result of crowds. So that will help you keep away from making the similar mistake we did on our first go to, we’re going to share the finest methods to go to the Giant’s Causeway.
Where is the Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway is positioned in Country Antrim on the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland. It is simply 2.5 miles north of Bushmills and 1 hour and 20 minutes from Belfast. Many folks go to the Giant’s Causeway on a street journey round the Causeway Coast or as a part of a day tour from Belfast. Many bus excursions cease at the Giant’s Causeway beginning at 10 am.
If you aren’t driving, it is a good day tour that features a go to to Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle and the Dark Hedges. Visit RentalCars.com to see costs for automobile leases from Dublin or Belfast.
What is the Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was fashioned 60 million years in the past throughout a volcanic eruption. It is really a surprise of the world. There are greater than 40 thousand basalt columns which can be completely stacked creating what seems like an enormous set of interlocking bricks main out to the sea.
The basalt columns had been fashioned throughout the eruption when the flowing lava crashed into the waves of the sea. As the ocean cooled the lava, it turned them into volcanic stones. There are comparable basalt columns round the world together with in Iceland and Scotland however the Giant’s Causeway might be the most well-known. We’ve seen others they usually simply don’t appear to check.
Other Places with Columns in the World
A fast Google search will present you that there are dozens of hexagonal columns round the world. We famous Iceland and Scotland however they are often discovered from Mongolia to Thailand. Ones that we’ve seen with our personal eyes are Iceland, Namibia, Australia, and California.
Giant’s Causeway Visitor’s Center
The Giant’s Causeway Visitor Center opens at 10:00 am and closes relying on the time of yr, anyplace from 5 pm to 9 pm. But you possibly can go to it by yourself and stroll down anytime if you’re staying at the Causeway Hotel. From the parking zone, you’ll stroll by way of a tunnel taking you to the Blue Trail which is a half-mile stroll downhill.
If you’re staying at the Causeway Hotel you possibly can go to the Giant’s Causeway without cost. If you’re driving, you will have to buy a parking ticket. Parking is per individual so it provides up shortly making the Causeway Hotel a fascinating choice. The price for parking is £13 per every grownup in the automobile. £32.50 for a household and £6.50 for kids.
When you buy a ticket on-line, it consists of parking, a guided tour, and audio guides. You even have entry to the Visitor Centre’s exhibition. If you e book a tour from Belfast or Dublin, you received’t want to fret about any of this. This full-day guided tour is extremely rated and takes you alongside the Causeway Coastal Route to see the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, The Dark Hedges and Giants Causeway.
If you wish to save a bit of money, The Causeway Coast Way Car Park is a 6-minute stroll and can price you £10.
If you aren’t staying at the Causeway lodge you will have to pay for parking or you possibly can stroll. Some of the visitor homes close to Giant’s Causeway aren’t too distant as properly. There are some good mountain climbing trails to the Giant’s Causeway as properly and if you’re up for a hike, you possibly can stroll from Dunserverick Castle or Portballintrae.
Giant’s Causeway Walking Trails
Blue Trail – This is the frequent path that’s alongside the paved street resulting in Giant’s Causeway from the Visitor Centre.
Green Trail – This is a 3.2 km (2 miles) hike that takes 1.5 hours. This path begins at the Causeway Hotel and follows the path towards path in direction of Runkerry Head. This path is appropriate for folks with disabilities and is wheelchair pleasant. It can be kid-friendly for buggies. This path takes you out to see the Portcoon Cave, 150 yards lengthy and 40-foot excessive, sea cave.
Red Trail – The Red Trail is a reasonable path that takes about 1.5 hours. It begins at the customer’s heart and goes alongside the high of the cliffs.
Yellow Trail – The Yellow Trail is a difficult hike, that begins at Runkery Head and ends at Hamilton’s Seat. The trailhead is accessible close to the village of Portballintrae and goes previous the Causeway Hotel and Visitors Centre. You’ll meet up with the Blue Trail and might go all the way down to the Giant’s Causeway or keep excessive to proceed on the yellow path. There are sheer cliffs on this path so be sure to take warning.
Where to Stay at the Giant’s Causeway
We extremely suggest spending extra time at the Giant’s Causeway than simply on a fast day journey. The purpose being is that if you happen to be part of a tour, you’ll arrive at the Giant’s Causeway at noon with all the crowds. On two of our visits, we stayed at the Causeway Hotel and will stroll all the way down to see the Giant’s Causeway at dawn and sundown. During these occasions of the day, we had all of it to ourselves.
Causeway Hotel
The Causeway Hotel is the closest lodge to the Giant’s Causeway positioned straight at the customer’s centre. But there are many BnBs round the space and different resorts in Bushmills which is simply 2.5 miles away. You can then simply drive to the Giant’s Causeway for dawn or sundown. See evaluations on TripAdvisor and Check costs on Booking.com
The Causeway Hotel has a bar and restaurant so that you don’t have to go away in any respect and might spend most time at the Giant’s Causeway. The rooms are fairly fundamental although and want an replace. What the rooms lack in ambiance is made up for in its location.
Bushmill’s Inn
The Bushmills Inn is one other nice choice positioned in city. We ate right here and had a tremendous meal. It dates again to 1600 and was a training inn at the time. It has been fully renovated and the rooms are actually a 4-star luxurious. If you need one thing extra upscale and don’t thoughts needing to drive to the Giant’s Causeway, it is a nice choice. See evaluations on TripAdvisor and Check Prices on Booking.com
Finn McCool – Legend of the Giant’s Causeway
Inside the guests heart there’s a present store, a snack bar, and a espresso store. There can be a movie telling the story of Finn McCool. Before science, it was believed that the Giant Finn McCool made the Giant’s Causeway to create a bridge to Scotland.
Legend says that rivals Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) of County Antrim in Ireland had been always bickering with the Scottish Giant Bennandoner. One day Finn McCool determined to construct a bridge to cross the sea and problem Bennandoner to a battle. It’s a straightforward legend to imagine as every stone appears as if it was positioned there for a goal. Read the full legend at The Legend of the Giant’s Causeway – Do You Believe?
Best Time to Visit the Giant’s Causeway
The finest time to go to the Giant’s Causeway is at dawn or sundown. We visited each occasions in totally different years and occasions of yr and each occasions we had it just about to ourselves. We walked down at dawn properly earlier than the customer’s heart opened and will hike throughout the rocks taking in views from totally different angles. By the time the buses began arriving, we had our fill and went again to the lodge for breakfast.
We did the similar factor at evening. Once the buses left is once we walked down to look at the sundown with a gaggle of two different folks. When you’re alongside the Giant’s Causeway it’s really magical.
The one time we had been on a bus tour we arrived in mid-day and it was chaos.
Mobility and the Giant’s Causeway
For these with mobility points, there’s a bus which you could take down and as much as the Giant’s Causeway from the customer’s heart. They even have wheelchairs and scooters accessible to borrow at the customer centre. Note that they’re accessible on a primary come first serve foundation. The bus prices
Things to do Near the Giant’s Causeway
After the morning go to, there are many issues to see and do close by. Giant’s Causeway is positioned alongside the Causeway Coastal Route and it’s one in all the most spectacular street journeys on earth.
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle is a beautiful cease positioned simply 10 minutes from Giant’s Causeway. The ruins sit excessive on a cliff and are one in all the most picturesque castles in Northern Ireland.
Make certain to proceed driving west to cease at the viewing platform only a brief distance additional. This simply opened this yr and there are two implausible lookouts the place you possibly can see Dunluce Castle on one facet and the excessive sea cliffs of Northern Ireland on the different.
Bushmills Distillery
Bushmills is Dave’s favorite whisky and we at all times cease to choose up a bottle of their signature 16-year-old. You can do a distillery tour and it’s extremely really helpful. Even if you happen to don’t do a tour, you may get into the grounds for a peak and into the present store to buy a bottle or two. Bushmills is only a five-minute drive from Giant’s Causeway
Dark Hedges
The Dark Hedges is 20 minutes from Giant’s Causeway and they’re the most photographed place in Northern Ireland. The Dark Hedges are positioned on Bregagh Road close to the city of Ballymoney in County Antrim. It is lined with 90 beech timber forming an arch all the method alongside the street. It was used as The King’s Road in Game of Thrones.
Carrick a Rede
The Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge is one other wonderful cease that’s positioned simply quarter-hour from Giant’s Causeway. It was as soon as a harmful bridge to cross solely utilized by fishermen, however right this moment it has been restored and vacationers can stroll throughout this suspension bridge for unparalleled views of the shoreline.
The Giant’s Causeway and the Causeway Coast are extraordinary locations to go to. Spending time in this a part of Northern Ireland is certain to create recollections to final a lifetime as you discover one in all the most lovely coasts in the world.
Giant’s Causeway Belfast Tours
You can e book day excursions to the Giant’s Causeway from Belfast if you happen to aren’t doing a self-drive round the Causeway Coastal Route. This extremely rated tour takes you to see well-known sights alongside the Antrim coast earlier than reaching the Giant’s Causeway. Places you’ll see en path to the Giant’s Causeway are Cushendun Caves, Carnlough Harbour, and the Dark Hedges. Learn about the historical past from stay commentary on board.
Another wonderful choice for a tour from Belfast to the Giant’s Causeway is that this widespread Game of Thrones Tour. You’ll take pleasure in the fantastic thing about the Antrim Coast earlier than hitting the world-famous Giant’s Causeway. During this guided day tour you’ll cease at locations like Carrickfergus Castle, and the 9 Glens of Antrim earlier than seeing the coastal city of Ballycastle. It’s then time to see HBO’s Game of Thrones filming areas like Magharmorne Quarry which is the location of Castle Black and the Dark Hedges to see King’s Road.
Tours to the Giant’s Causeway even be booked from Dublin. This extremely rated tour is the good day journey for folks with restricted time however who nonetheless wish to take pleasure in a few of the high Northern Ireland locations once they go to Ireland. Visit the Dark Hedges, Dunluce Castle, and Giant’s Causeway, and spend a while in Belfast on a guided tour from Dublin.
Admire the formations of the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage SiteHead to Portaneevy View Point to see the Carrick-a-Rede Rope BridgeMarvel at the beautiful surroundings of the Antrim coastal routeHear tales of folklore and historical past with a number of myths and legends tooSee a few of the Game of Thrones websites all through the day