ANTRIM GLENS AND CAUSEWAY COAST
LANDSCAPES, CULTURE AND WILDLIFE OF ANTRIM
ANTRIM GLENS AND CAUSEWAY COAST- SELF GUIDED SUMMARY WALKING HOLIDAY Antrim Glens and Causeway Coast is a combination of The Moyle Way and the Causeway Coastal Walk, 2 walks that display the wide array of natural riches that this corner of Northern Ireland has to offer. The trip highlights the diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife and geological wonder that will leave you with a lifetime of memories.
Your trip begins in Cushendall, the capital of the Glens and takes you through mysterious, lush green forests and along one of the most dramatic coastlines in Europe, before ending at the golden sands of Portstewart. The most striking feature of this walk is undoubtedly the Magnificent Giants Causeway, the striking World Heritage site, but on either side of this you will find places to immerse yourself in the splendour of nature. The diversity of Flora and Fauna along the path makes for a truly wonderful weeks walk in somewhere that is crying out to be explored on foot.
Every holiday we offer features hand-picked overnight accommodation in high quality B&B’s, country inns, Tour: Antrim Glens and the Causeway Coast Code: WISAGCC1 and guesthouses. Each is unique and offers the highest levels of welcome, atmosphere and outstanding Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday local cuisine. We also include daily door to door baggage transfers, comprehensive route notes, a detailed Price: See Website map and pre-departure information pack as well as emergency support, should you need it. Single Supplement: See Website Dates: March to October Walking Days: 6 HIGHLIGHTS Nights: 7 Start: Cushendall • Marvel at the Giant’s Causeway, an amazing example of columnar basalt Finish: PortStewart • Distance: 54-64 Miles Soak in the atmosphere of the Queen of the Glens in the Glenariff National Park Grade: Easy to Moderate • The sheer amount of birdlife on the rugged Rathlin Island • Taking a deep breath before crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge IS IT FOR ME? • Enjoying the warmth and welcome of the great Irish hopitality This walk is a fascinating trip through some WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US? of the most beautiful and well known scenery of Northern Ireland. The blend of Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. We are the deep, atmospheric glens and the passionate about delivering outstanding walking holidays where every last detail is taken care of. Each bracing, well photographed coast, make this trip one that will stick in your memory for a holiday we offer is unique, tailor made to meet your requirements. From your first contact with Macs long time to come. Adventure you will deal with a local specialist who knows the region intimately.
Self guided walking holidays are a wonderful relaxed way to discover the magic of County Antrim. Free to WHAT’S INCLUDED? travel at your own pace and wander off the beaten track you will discover the beauty of the landscape, the warmth of the people and the long history of this spectacular land. We will supply you with comprehensive Accommodation: Hand-picked B&B’s, small hotels, country inns and guesthouses. route notes, a clear map and a pre-departure information pack to guide you every step of the way so there Meals: A hearty breakfast included. Lunch is no need for a guide. Your baggage will be collected and moved onto your next accommodation so that and dinner not included but always available you are free to walk each day with just a daypack. In the unlikely event you should require emergency at accommodation or nearby. support our office is always more than happy to help with your queries. So, from the moment you decide to Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door baggage visit Ireland and County Antrim you can relax and look forward to an unforgettable self-guided walking transfer. holiday. We hope that you will choose to travel with Macs Adventure soon. Information Pack: Detailed Map and Route Notes
ANTRIM GLENS AND CAUSEWAY COAST
LANDSCAPES, CULTURE AND WILDLIFE OF ANTRIM
ANTRIM GLENS AND CAUSEWAY Day 4 Rathlin Island—2-10 Miles COAST DETAILED ITINERARY We will be giving you the choice of 2 walks on Description: A walking holiday on the Antrim the island so distance will depend on which route Day 1 Arrive Starting Point: Glens and Causeway Coast offers something for you take. The island is a rare place of wild and Cushendall everyone, a varied mix of countryside, towns and natural beauty, extraordinary environmental coastal views. Your walking tour of the Glens of Antrim begins values and social interests. The island is Code: WISAGCC1 in the village of Cushendall; better known as the immersed in flora and fauna and in spring and Walking Days: 6 capital of the Glens. Cushendall is a charming summer Puffins, Guillemots and Kittiwakes; to Nights: 7 village that nestles in the heart of the Glens; mention but a few; nest in their thousands along Average Daily Distance: 11 Miles situated between the hills and the sea of Moyle its steep on-shore cliffs which is a naturalist’s and it is here that you will spend your first 2 dream come true. nights. Overnight: Ballycastle Day Route Miles Overnight: Cushendall
Day 5 Ballycastle to Ballintoy—9 1 Arrive in Cushendall 0 Day 2 Glenariff Nature Reserve—9- Miles 2 Glenariff Nature 11 Miles Reserve—Overnight in Ballycastle is the northern gateway to the Glens Cushendall 9-11 The distance that you will travel will depend on of Antrim. After leaving the town of Ballycastle 3 Transfer to Orra Beg which trail that you take in the park; of which we you will follow a country road to Clare Woods and walk to Ballycastle 11 will give you several options. After breakfast a which eventually take you through the farming 4 Rathlin Island 2-10 bus will take you to the entrance of Glenariff communities of Craignagolman and 5 Ballycastle to Ballintoy 9 Forest Park to begin your walking tour in the 6 Walk to Portballintra 11 Ballaghcravey; down to the world famous Carrick park. The vast variety of the landscape, 7 Walk to Portstewart 12 -a-Rede Rope Bridge. This is an amazing place woodlands and habitats that are to be found 8 Travel Home and if you are brave enough to cross the bridge within Glenariff Forest Park provide you with a that spans an 80ft chasm the experience will be superb walk through the natural beauty which is invigorating. Total Distance 54- to be found here. Overnight: Ballintoy 64 Overnight: Cushendall
Day 3 Orra Beg to Ballycastle—11 Day 6 Ballintoy to Portballintra—9- Grade Miles 11 Miles This holiday is graded easy to moderate and is You will be transferred to the beginning of your Today offers you an awe inspiring array or suitable for most regular walkers. Most days walk at Orra Beg. This section of the trail is scenery, flora and faunas a combination of which offer between 6—8 hours of walking on good mixed between forest trails; quiet country roads you will find hard to beat in a days walk terrain. and open mountains. anywhere. The trail from Ballintoy passes along You will be rewarded with some fantastic views the golden sandy beach of White Park Bay, past Navigation of the Glenshesk River, Coolaveely Forest and the ruins of Dunseverick Castles and along a cliff This route is waymarked and much of it does Knocklayd Mountain. The final section of the day top path that takes you around by Benbane Head follows a path so you don’t need to be a takes you through Ballycastle Forest and finally to the World Heritage Site and Nature Reserve of competent navigator with map and compass into the town of Ballycastle where you will spend the Giants Causeway. though some experience is always beneficial. the next 2 nights. Overnight: Ballycastle Overnight: Bushmills, just outside Portballintra
ANTRIM GLENS AND CAUSEWAY COAST
LANDSCAPES, CULTURE AND WILDLIFE OF ANTRIM
Day 7 Portballintra to Portstewart— Single Rooms TRAVEL INFORMATION 12 Miles This independent walking holiday is available to Your final days walking tour of Antrim takes you solo walkers at a supplement. Please note that Getting to Cushendall along the coastal road to Portrush, overlooking singles may not be of the same standard as Belfast International or Belfast City Airport are Binbane Cove, Dunluce Castle, The Burnfoot twins/doubles. the closest airports. Take take a train or bus to and The White Rocks, before making the short Cushendall (2h45). We will supply you with the descent down to Curran Strand. This is a Meals necessary timetables and information to get you beautiful section of the trail and a perfect finish to A hearty breakfast is included each morning. safely to your first accommodation. what hopefully will have being a perfect week. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are Overnight: Portstewart free to choose from the available options. Most of Getting from Port Stewart your accommodations will more than happy to Day 8 Belfast International or Belfast City Airport are provide a packed lunch on request and this can the closest airports. Travel takes 2-3 hours by Onward travel. be booked on arrival. Alternatively your info pack public transport. includes details of local shops and convenient lunch stops on the way. There are a variety of airlines which fly to RECOMMENDATIONS Northern Ireland from the UK including Easyjet Baggage Transfer and Ryanair
Walking Direction Your bags will be transferred from your Travel Insurance We only offer this route from South to North to accommodation as per your itinerary and moved We strongly recommend taking out travel accommodate our baggage transfers. onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to insurance to cover cancellation or curtailment of Additional Nights 15kg per person. your holiday. Many of our clients choose to add extra nights Equipment along the walk to sample more of the wonderful M.A.C.S. RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL walking and attractions available in County Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as Antrim. Minimise Impact & Maximise Benefit good walking boots or shoes, warm and Fewer Nights waterproof clothes and a day pack. Our operating policies, office policies, holidays and tours are all designed to minimise impact If you wish to reduce the number of nights we Dogs and maximise benefit to the environment and can tailor your trip to your requirements. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate local communities. walkers with dogs as many of the Action & Advocacy HOLIDAY INFORMATION accommodation providers do not accept pets. We believe that by engaging our team and Recommended Reading Accommodation clients in environmental and community projects • Walking in Ireland - Lonely Planet we can make a real difference. One of the highlights of this tour is the high standard of the accommodation. We specifically Carbon & Communities choose the hotels, inns, guesthouses and B&B’s Travel and our business activity does of course to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your contribute to carbon output and climate change. stay. All offer a warm welcome to walkers, We have put several policies in place to minimise traditional hospitality and delicious local food. our carbon footprint.
ANTRIM GLENS AND CAUSEWAY COAST
LANDSCAPES, CULTURE AND WILDLIFE OF ANTRIM
Sensitive & Sustainable Excluded BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE Macs Adventure has worked hard to ensure that • Travel to the start or from the finish of the our holidays are sensitive to the community you walk. are visiting and sustainable over the long term. • Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks. Financial Security • Travel Insurance. In accordance with "The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours • Personal Equipment. CUSTOMER REVIEWS Regulations1992" all passengers booking with • Taxi transfers or public transport should you Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the We are justifiably proud of our reputation for need to skip a stage. initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all outstanding holidays on the Antrim Glens & monies paid to us, including repatriation if Causeway Coast. You can read numerous HOW TO BOOK required (this insurance will not cover repatriation customer reviews on our website to get a good to the country of origin for the passengers idea of what to expect from Macs Adventure on outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or the Antrim Glens & Causeway Coast. Once you have read all the information in this factsheet or on our website and decided on your curtailment of your travel arrangements due to preferred itinerary, visit our website or give us a the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd PRICE & AVAILABILITY call to confirm availability. You can then book by ABTA Member Statement any of the following methods: Macs Adventure Availability Book Securely Online: www.macsadventure.com Holidays is a Member of This walking holiday is best enjoyed between Telephone: +44 (0) 141 530 8886 ABTA. ABTA and ABTA early April and the end of October. You can start Members help on any date that suits your travel plans and you Fax/Post: Download or request a booking form holidaymakers to get the most from their travel will find up to date availability on our website. and post it to Macs Adventure, 44 Speirs Wharf, and assist when things don’t go according to The Antrim Glens and Causeway Coast is very Glasgow, G4 9TH, UK or fax it to +44 (0) 845 plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard popular so it is best to book as far in advance as 527 5688 of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. you are able to. Please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone on For more information on ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to Price +44 (0) 0141 530 8886 or email: [email protected] if you have any you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 30 Detailed up to date prices for all our Antrim Glens queries and one of our expert customer service Park Street, London SE1 9EQ, tel 020 3117 & Causeway Coast Holidays are available on our team will be happy to help. 0581 www.abta.com website here...
Included
• 7 Nights bed and breakfast accommodation in ensuite rooms wherever possible. • Door to door baggage transfer. • A detailed info pack, route notes and map for the group leader. • Transfers as detailed in the itinerary. • Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem.