Antrim: The Causeway Coast, the Glens and Ancient Basalt Cliffs
Willow and Bella’s paws have covered Antrim’s biggest ground yet: UNESCO cliffs, a Queen among forest glens, and a rope bridge they weren’t allowed to cross. This is the county for the walk that makes people stop and stare.
A pair of boots. Two retrievers. Endless adventures.
Antrim at a Glance
Antrim’s Causeway Coast Route is the headline act, running clifftop from Portballintrae to Ballycastle. Inland and south, the nine Antrim Glens cut down through forest and waterfall toward the sea, and Belfast’s edge brings gentler towpath and reservoir walking. A base anywhere between Portrush and Ballycastle puts most of the coastal highlights within 30 minutes.
Where to Walk with Your Dog in Antrim
Six routes covering the county’s real range: UNESCO clifftop, a rope-bridge coastal walk, waterfall gorge, forest reservoir loop and a canal towpath near Belfast.
Giant’s Causeway, Red Trail
A three-pawprint rated National Trust site, fully dog-friendly with leads welcome in the outdoor spaces, throughout the Visitor Centre, in the café and on guided tours. The Red Trail gives a bracing clifftop walk with views of the Causeway Coast and North Channel, passing the Grand Causeway before descending 162 Shepherd’s Steps.
- Four colour-coded trails, Blue, Red, Green and Yellow, cover different distances and difficulty, and the Green Trail is the only one suitable for prams or wheelchairs
- The stones themselves are hexagonal and can be slippery, especially with an eager dog pulling toward the water
- Water bowls are positioned at the Visitor Centre’s front and rear doors
Carrick-a-Rede Coastal Walk
The coastal route to Carrick-a-Rede is a great walk for you and your dog on a lead, though dogs are not allowed to cross the famous rope bridge itself. You can walk the 1km trail together and either leave your dog with a family member or tie up briefly while you cross to the island.
- Dogs on leads are welcome in the outdoor areas and inside the Weighbridge Tearoom
- Ground-nesting birds are present during breeding season, April to July, so keep leads especially short then
- Pre-booking is essential for bridge crossings, and same-day slots often sell out in summer
North Antrim Cliff Path, Causeway to Dunseverick
Runs along the top of towering basalt cliffs between the Giant’s Causeway and Dunseverick Castle, passing above deep coves where seabirds nest and dramatic headlands where the sea crashes far below. The path threads past Benbane Head and Hamilton’s Seat, the highest point, before dropping toward the Dunseverick ruins.
- Leads are essential throughout given the cliff edges, though the path is wide enough that even energetic dogs settle into the rhythm of the coast
- Best walked in autumn or early spring for long stretches of solitude on what is normally a busy trail
Glenariff Waterfall Trail
Glenariff, the Queen of the Glens, follows the Glenariff River through a boardwalked nature reserve past Ess-na-Larach and Ess-na-Crub waterfalls. Dogs are welcome, kept on lead on the boardwalks and busier sections, though the Waterfall Trail’s steps and tight paths are less suited to some dogs than the broader Scenic and Glensway trails.
- Access to the falls is on foot only, with a steep climb and steps from either the main car park or the restaurant car park at the bottom
- Home to conservation-priority wildlife including red squirrel, hen harrier and Irish hare
- £5 per vehicle entry fee
Woodburn Forest & Reservoirs
A pleasant woodland and waterside trail through Woodburn Forest and along the edge of the reservoirs, with a popular, relaxed local feel. Paths are well-surfaced though care is needed on rougher sections in wetter conditions.
- A quieter, closer-to-Belfast option when the coast is busy or the weather’s turned
Lagan Towpath & Lagan Meadows
A well-paved stretch of the Lagan Towpath through Lagan Meadows, gentle enough for family members of all ages and fitness levels, and easily extended for a longer walk. The most accessible pick in the guide for a mixed-ability group or an evening leg-stretch near Belfast.
- The Lock Keeper’s Inn along the route has the best-marked toilets on this stretch
Village to Village: The Moyle Way
Locals rarely treat the Glens as isolated day walks. The Moyle Way threads them together into one long-distance route, part of the wider Ulster Way, and most walkers take it in single-day stages between villages rather than end to end.
Moyle Way, Ballycastle to Waterfoot
A challenging two-day walk exploring the northern-most Glens of Antrim, following a mixture of forest tracks and remote upland moor and including a visit to the slopes of Trostan, Antrim’s highest summit at 550m. The route begins at The Diamond in Ballycastle, climbs through forest on the eastern slopes of Knocklayd Mountain, and follows the old Ballycastle Railway line before heading into open country.
- The Breen Oakwood to Orra Beg section is a spring favourite among local walkers, when the wildflowers are in bloom
- The route finishes at Waterfoot in Glenariff, where a short beach walk with wildflower meadows and play parks makes a gentle final stretch
- Dogs must stay on leads within Forest Service properties and on public roads throughout, with no dogs permitted on private land
- Refreshments and disabled-accessible facilities are available at Ballycastle and Glenariff Forest Park, both seasonal
Hidden Gems
The spots that reward a longer drive north or a detour off the main Causeway Coast Route.
Roe Valley Country Park
A hidden gem combining riverside walking with wooded glens and gentle hills, the River Roe providing a soothing soundtrack throughout. Quieter than the coast, with a more intimate, local feel.
Portballintrae to Giant’s Causeway Coast Way
A popular stretch of the Causeway Coast Way with cliffside views, grassy paths and dramatic rock formations, best walked early morning or off-season to avoid the crowds drawn to the main Causeway site.
Tardree Forest Loop
A loop around one of the oldest state forests in Northern Ireland, good for spotting wildlife along the way, and a genuinely quiet alternative when the north coast feels overrun.
Torr Head Scenic Route
A dramatic, little-visited coast road detour near Glenariff, connecting through to the Dark Hedges and further glens for those wanting to string together a full day of driving and walking.
Dog Swimming Spots
Where the paws can get wet
- Glenariff River pools: shallow sections along the lower waterfall trail, good for a paddle rather than a full swim
- Portstewart Strand: a two-mile sandy beach nearby, popular for a proper sea dip outside the main tourist zone
- Woodburn reservoirs: lakeside access along the forest trail, check current swimming permissions before letting a dog in fully
Dog-Friendly Cafes & Pubs
Where you’re both welcome at the table
- Cafe Tilly, Portrush: a cozy dog-friendly haven with a dedicated menu for canine visitors
- Bilberry Mill, Bushmills: homemade lunches and coffee with dogs allowed inside in a designated area, a rare fully indoor option
- Barn Door, Coleraine: fresh baked goods and local produce in a warm, community-focused space that welcomes dogs inside
- Marconi’s Bar and Bistro, Ballycastle: contemporary and traditional cuisine with a seafood focus inside the dog-friendly Marine Hotel
- Weighbridge Tearoom, Carrick-a-Rede: the natural stop before or after the coastal walk
Accommodation & Overnight Options
The Causeway Coast has invested heavily in dog-friendly tourism, and it shows in the range on offer.
| Type | Option | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal hotel | Inn on the Coast, between Portstewart and Portrush | Dog-friendly since 2012, with a designated dining section in the Pub Bistro for dining together and special breakfast arrangements |
| Town hotel | The Marine Hotel, Ballycastle | A three-star dog-friendly stay where four-legged guests get a welcome basket of treats |
| Village inn | The Fullerton Arms, Ballintoy | A cosy four-star option near Carrick-a-Rede that has welcomed dog owners for years |
| Caravan park | Ballyness Caravan Park, Bushmills | A five-star dog-friendly park close to the famous Bushmills distillery |
| Countryside inn | Brown Trout Golf and Country Inn, Aghadowey | All rooms and courtyard cottages are pet-friendly, a little further inland from the coast |
Seasonal Warnings
Spring: nesting seabirds on the cliffs
Ground-nesting birds are present at Carrick-a-Rede and along the wider North Antrim coast between April and July. Keep leads especially short through this window on all clifftop routes.
Summer: crowds and heat on the coast
The Giant’s Causeway can get crowded even outside peak months, and a dog anxious around people benefits from exploring the quieter outcrops away from the main photo spots, or visiting early morning.
Autumn: high winds on exposed paths
The Grand Causeway rock outcrop is extremely dangerous in high winds, and the Carrick-a-Rede bridge can close temporarily during extreme weather with little notice. Check conditions before setting out on any clifftop walk in autumn storms.
Winter: reduced hours and closures
Carrick-a-Rede runs reduced winter hours, typically 9:30am to 3:30pm from November to February, and Glenariff’s car park gates lock at dusk even though the forest itself stays open on foot.
For Solo Female Hikers & Families
Solo and safe in Antrim
- The Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede are both staffed, ticketed sites with steady visitor flow, among the most reassuring solo stops in the whole guide
- The North Antrim Cliff Path is remote in stretches. Tell someone your route and arrange a shuttle back rather than relying on retracing 8 miles alone at the end of the day
- Lagan Towpath near Belfast is a solid low-commitment solo option if the coast feels like too much on a given day
Managing kids and a dog alone
- The Giant’s Causeway’s Green Trail is DDA compliant and buggy-friendly, a good choice if not everyone in the group can manage the Red Trail’s steps
- Glenariff’s Rainbow Trail (0.6km) gives a short waterfall payoff for younger legs without committing to the full Waterfall Trail’s steps
- Remember dogs can’t cross the Carrick-a-Rede bridge, so plan who stays back with the dog before you arrive rather than deciding on the day