Depending on if you go, your Giant’s Causeway go to may be superb or common. We are going to share methods to go to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland that can assist you fall in love with it the manner we did.
The Giant’s Causeway is the hottest attraction in all of Northern Ireland and with good purpose. It is really unbelievable.
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 resulting from crowds. So that can assist 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 situated 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 individuals 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, this can be 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 automotive 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 marvel of the world. There are greater than 40 thousand basalt columns which can be completely stacked creating what appears to be like like a large 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 match.
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 12 months, anyplace from 5 pm to 9 pm. But you’ll be able to go to it by yourself and stroll down anytime if you’re staying at the Causeway Hotel. From the car parking zone, you’ll stroll by means of a tunnel taking you to the Blue Trail which is a half-mile stroll downhill.
If you might be staying at the Causeway Hotel you’ll be able to go to the Giant’s Causeway free of charge. If you might be driving, you have to to buy a parking ticket. Parking is per individual so it provides up shortly making the Causeway Hotel a fascinating possibility. The value for parking is £13 per every grownup in the automotive. £32.50 for a household and £6.50 for kids.
When you buy a ticket on-line, it contains 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 gained’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 need to save a bit of money, The Causeway Coast Way Car Park is a 6-minute stroll and can value you £10.
If you aren’t staying at the Causeway lodge you have to to pay for parking or you’ll be able to stroll. Some of the visitor homes close to Giant’s Causeway usually are not too far-off as effectively. There are some good mountain climbing trails to the Giant’s Causeway as effectively and if you’re up for a hike, you’ll be able to stroll from Dunserverick Castle or Portballintrae.
Giant’s Causeway Walking Trails
Blue Trail – This is the widespread 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 the direction of Runkerry Head. This path is appropriate for individuals with disabilities and is wheelchair pleasant. It can also 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 prime 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 may go right down to the Giant’s Causeway or keep excessive to proceed on the yellow path. There are sheer cliffs on this path so make certain 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 a 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 right down to see the Giant’s Causeway at dawn and sundown. During these instances of the day, we had all of it to ourselves.
Causeway Hotel
The Causeway Hotel is the closest lodge to the Giant’s Causeway situated straight at the customer’s centre. But there are many BnBs round the space and different lodges 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 may 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 possibility situated 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 utterly renovated and the rooms at the moment are a 4-star luxurious. If you need one thing extra upscale and don’t thoughts needing to drive to the Giant’s Causeway, this can be a nice possibility. 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 reward store, a snack bar, and a espresso store. There can also 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 continuously bickering with the Scottish Giant Bennandoner. One day Finn McCool determined to construct a bridge to cross the sea and problem Bennandoner to a struggle. It’s a simple legend to imagine as every stone appears as if it was positioned there for a function. 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 instances in totally different years and instances of 12 months and each instances we had it nearly to ourselves. We walked down at dawn effectively 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 night time. Once the buses left is after we walked down to look at the sundown with a gaggle of two different individuals. When you might be 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 that you may 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 situated alongside the Causeway Coastal Route and it’s considered one of the most spectacular street journeys on earth.
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle is a beautiful cease situated simply 10 minutes from Giant’s Causeway. The ruins sit excessive on a cliff and are considered one of the most picturesque castles in Northern Ireland.
Make positive to proceed driving west to cease at the viewing platform only a quick distance additional. This simply opened this 12 months and there are two incredible lookouts the place you’ll be able to see Dunluce Castle on one aspect 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 select up a bottle of their signature 16-year-old. You can do a distillery tour and it’s extremely really useful. Even if you happen to don’t do a tour, you will get into the grounds for a peak and into the reward 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 situated on Bregagh Road close to the city of Ballymoney in County Antrim. It is lined with 90 beech bushes forming an arch all the manner 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 superb cease that’s situated simply quarter-hour from Giant’s Causeway. It was as soon as a harmful bridge to cross solely utilized by fishermen, however as we speak 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 considered one of 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 glorious possibility for a tour from Belfast to the Giant’s Causeway is that this common Game of Thrones Tour. You’ll take pleasure in the great 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 excellent day journey for individuals with restricted time however who nonetheless need to take pleasure in a few of the prime 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 couple of myths and legends tooSee a few of the Game of Thrones websites all through the day