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Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland — Scenic
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Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry

Northern Ireland

Point-to-point
Belfast Derry

In short: Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry is a About 195 km scenic road trip in Northern Ireland, typically driven over 2 days, best in May–Sep. Highlights: Belfast, Glens of Antrim, Carrick-a-Rede.

Distance
About 195 km
Duration
2 days
Best Season
May–Sep
IconicEasyScenicEV-friendly

A two-day Belfast-to-Derry journey along the Antrim and Causeway coasts, with Carrick-a-Rede, Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce and Mussenden in geographic order.

Practical notes
This is the full one-way Belfast-to-Derry coastal route, not a Belfast loop. Prebook Carrick-a-Rede; if the rope crossing is unavailable, use the coastal walk/viewpoint fallback. Check Giant’s Causeway parking/visitor booking, National Trust site status, road/weather conditions and UK ETA requirements for the traveller’s nationality. The historic Old Bushmills Distillery is near the Giant’s Causeway; tours depend on current booking and operating dates, but this itinerary chooses Dunluce instead to keep day 2 feasible.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Belfast via Carrickfergus and Glenariff to Ballycastle

Carrickfergus Castle · Glenariff Forest Park · The Central Bar

Day 2Ballycastle via the Causeway Coast to Derry

Ballintoy and prebooked Carrick-a-Rede · Giant's Causeway · Morton's Fish & Chips

Stops along the route

Belfast — Departure — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Departure
Belfast
Titanic Belfast, Cathedral Quarter murals, and St George's Market on a Saturday morning. A city fully transformed.
Hotels
Portrush — City — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
City
Portrush
A bracing seaside resort with two great beaches, Royal Portrush Golf Club, and the best fish and chips in Ulster.
Hotels
Derry — Arrival — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Arrival
Derry
The designated Causeway Coastal Route endpoint, reached after the Downhill and Mussenden section.

Things to Do

Glens of Antrim — Nature — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Nature
Glens of Antrim
Nine glacial glens cut into the Antrim plateau. Glenariff's triple waterfall gorge is the most dramatic of them all.
Carrick-a-Rede — Landmark — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Landmark
Carrick-a-Rede
A rope bridge swaying 30m above the sea to a tiny island used by salmon fishermen for 350 years. Book ahead in summer.
Giant's Causeway — Landmark — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Landmark
Giant's Causeway
40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed 60 million years ago by volcanic eruption. Ireland's only UNESCO natural site.
Dunluce Castle — Landmark — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Landmark
Dunluce Castle
A medieval castle on a basalt sea stack above the Atlantic. Part of the kitchen fell into the ocean during a dinner party in 1639.
Mussenden Temple and Downhill — Landmark — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Landmark
Mussenden Temple and Downhill
The final signed coastal highlight west of Portrush before the route reaches Derry.
Carrickfergus Castle — Castle — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Castle
Carrickfergus Castle
Check opening and keep the stop compact.
Show 4 more
Glenariff Forest Park — Forest walk — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Forest walk
Glenariff Forest Park
Choose one open signed trail and finish in Ballycastle.
Ballintoy and prebooked Carrick-a-Rede — Coastal sites — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Coastal sites
Ballintoy and prebooked Carrick-a-Rede
Start at Ballintoy, then attend the exact bridge booking; use the coastal fallback if crossing is unavailable.
Giant's Causeway — World Heritage coast — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
World Heritage coast
Giant's Causeway
Use the official paths and booked parking/visitor product.
Dunluce Castle and Mussenden Temple — Historic coast — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Historic coast
Dunluce Castle and Mussenden Temple
Choose Dunluce instead of a distillery tour, continue through Portrush and Downhill, and finish in Derry.

Where to Eat

Old Bushmills Distillery — Food & Drink — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Food & Drink
Old Bushmills Distillery
The world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, founded 1608, still triple-distilling single malt on the Antrim coast.
The Central Bar — Irish pub food — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Irish pub food
The Central Bar
Use the Ballycastle arrival dinner and verify kitchen hours.
Morton's Fish & Chips — Seafood — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Seafood
Morton's Fish & Chips
Use this Ballycastle departure meal or snack.
Harry's Shack — Seafood — Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry — Northern Ireland
Seafood
Harry's Shack
Reserve the Portstewart dinner alternative; do not schedule both as long meals.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry drive?

The Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry covers About 195 km from start to finish.

How long does the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry take to drive?

Most travellers spend 2 days on the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry?

The recommended season for the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry is May–Sep.

Where does the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry start and end?

The Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry runs from Belfast to Derry.

What are the main stops on the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry?

The Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry passes through Belfast, Glens of Antrim, Carrick-a-Rede.

How difficult is the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry to drive?

The Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry in a regular car?

Yes — the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry EV friendly?

Yes — the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry safe to drive?

This is the full one-way Belfast-to-Derry coastal route, not a Belfast loop. Prebook Carrick-a-Rede; if the rope crossing is unavailable, use the coastal walk/viewpoint fallback. Check Giant’s Causeway parking/visitor booking, National Trust site status, road/weather conditions and UK ETA requirements for the traveller’s nationality. The historic Old Bushmills Distillery is near the Giant’s Causeway; tours depend on current booking and operating dates, but this itinerary chooses Dunluce instead to keep day 2 feasible.

What scenic tier is the Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry?

The Causeway Coastal Route: Belfast to Derry is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.