Giants, Kings & Cliff Edge Castles

A Causeway Coast Road Trip

If you’re waking up with us at the Marine Hotel, you’re already perfectly positioned. With the sound of the waves right outside your window and the fresh sea air greeting you, you know an adventure is on the horizon.

Ballycastle isn't just a beautiful seaside town; it’s the gateway to one of the world's most spectacular driving routes: The Causeway Coastal Route.

While you could spend days exploring every hidden cove, we’ve listed the essential "Big Four" road trip itinerary. This route takes you from hidden gems to world famous icons, all within an easy drive of the hotel.

Murlough Bay

Stop 1: The Hidden Jewel | Murlough Bay

Distance from Marine Hotel: approx. 15 minute drive east.

We’re starting the day with a secret. While the tour buses head straight west, we’re taking a quick detour east to one of Northern Ireland's most tranquil and breathtaking spots.

Murlough Bay is famous for its incredible beauty and relative seclusion. Nestled between Fair Head and Torr Head, this sheltered bay offers sweeping vistas across the sea to the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland. The drive down is an adventure in itself, a steep & winding road that demands your attention but rewards you with scenery that feels untouched by time.

It’s peaceful, rugged and utterly mesmerising. Take a walk along the shore, breathe in the isolation and watch for the wild goats that cling to the steep slopes. At night, you might even spot some deer’s.

Local tip: Drive carefully on the descent. It’s narrow and steep, so take your time and use passing places.

Dark Hedges

Stop 2: The Mystical Avenue | The Dark Hedges

Distance from Murlough Bay: approx. 25 minute drive back inland.

Leaving the coast behind for a moment, we head inland to a phenomenal atmospheric avenue of trees. Planted in the 18th century by the Stuart family to impress visitors approaching their Georgian mansion, the Dark Hedges are an avenue of ancient beech trees that have interwoven to create a natural & haunting tunnel.

In recent years, they’ve gained worldwide fame as the "Kingsroad" in HBO’s Game of Thrones. Even if you’ve never seen the show, walking beneath these twisting, gnarled branches is a magical, slightly eerie experience. The interplay of light and shadow here is a photographer's dream.

Please note: Help protect these ancient trees. To preserve the tree roots, the avenue is now a pedestrian only zone. Please adhere to the local signage and use the designated car park nearby.

Dunluce Castle

Stop 3: Romance on the Edge | Dunluce Castle

Distance from Dark Hedges: approx. 20 minute drive back towards the coast.

Now, we rejoin the coast and head west, where history meets dramatic geology. Suddenly, rounding a bend, you’ll see it: Dunluce Castle, clinging to a basalt outcropping, appearing as if it’s about to tumble into the sea below.

These iconic medieval ruins are arguably the most romantic and photogenic on the island of Ireland. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, the castle has a rich history of feuding clans and even a kitchen that supposedly fell into the sea during a storm in 1639.

Wander through the roofless great hall and imagine the feasts that once took place here, all while the sound of the crashing waves fills the air.

Giants Causeway

Stop 4: In the footsteps of the Giants - The Giant's Causeway

Distance from Dunluce Castle: approx. 10 minute drive west.

You can’t come to the Antrim Coast without visiting the jewel in its crown. Just a short hop from Dunluce is Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Giant’s Causeway.

Was it formed by rapidly cooling volcanic lava sixty million years ago, creating nearly 40,000 interlocking hexagonal columns? Or, as we prefer to believe, was it built by the Irish giant Finn McCool as a stepping-stone bridge to Scotland to face his rival, Benandonner?

Whichever story you subscribe to, the sight is awe-inspiring. Scramble over the geometric stones, let the sea spray hit your face at the water's edge, and marvel at a landscape that looks utterly alien. Make sure to take a seat on the “Wishing Chair”.