Northern Ireland

Giant's Causeway Yellow Trail

The Yellow Trail at the Giant's Causeway is a 1.8 mile section of the Causeway Coast Way managed by the National Trust, starting at Runkerry Head and ending at Hamilton's Seat. The walk becomes the Green Trail and Red Trail in part, and follows the clifftop (not the shoreline).

Near to

Giant's Causeway

Start point

Runkerry Head, OSNI grid ref: C940438

Trail information

View route

Print trail

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.8 (km: 2.88)

Duration 30 mins to 40 mins

Dog friendly

*Clifftop trail including informal tracks and grass paths. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**This trail is not considered suitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. For further details, please see section marked Access.

Address
Causeway Road, Bushmills, Antrim, BT57 8SU
Directions via Google Maps
By train
The Causeway and Bushmills Railway runs seasonally from the stop located between Portballintrae and Bushmills.
Check the website for more details.
On foot
The Yellow Trail begins at Runkerry Head, beyond the seaside village of Portballintrae. Full details of the Causeway Coast Way, which runs from Portstewart to Ballycastle, can be downloaded from WalkNI.
See the Walk NI website for more details.
By bus
To Portballintrae take the 172, 172A or 172C service from Coleraine. From Portrush take the 132 service. You can also arrive at the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre on the Causeway Rambler service which Operates from April to September.
Cycling
Causeway Coast Cycle Route takes in Causeway Road where cyclists will bypass the visitor centre. Cyclists can chain bikes to bike rails beside the Causeway Hotel and access the Yellow Trail from here. Please note that the Yellow Trail is not suitable for bikes.
Visit Sustrans for route information.
By road
From Bushmills/Coleraine look for the A2, turn on to the Ballaghmore Road. Follow this road for 1 mile (1.6 km) and at the roundabout take the 1st exit onto Bayhead Road. You will arrive in Portballintrae; there is limited public parking available.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Runkerry Head, OSNI grid ref: C940438
Stage 1
Accessible from the seaside village of Portballintrae, the Yellow Trail begins just beyond Runkerry House and climbs onto the clifftops, passing around the edge of Runkerry Head. Following the visible path, you will pass a signage map of the site, and a little after that there will be benches and a seating area. The path is called the Green Trail from this point up until the area of the Causeway Hotel.
Dolphin and basking shark bench
The Causeway Coast and stones were designated a World Heritage Site in 1986. The dolphin and basking shark benches roughly mark the beginning of the World Heritage Site. At the benches, facing the Atlantic sea, look to the right to see the Stookans and glimpse the Giant's Causeway. Look to the left and you will see the Skerries, Donegal and the distant hills of the Innishowen Peninsula.
Stage 2
Continue along the trail, up a hill and through a gate. You'll walk past the back of the Causeway Hotel (on your right) and then end up on the Giant's Causeway visitor centre roof. Continue past the top of the steps and take a slight left. You'll see a large viewfinder map on a wooden plinth. Continue past this and head up a steep hill to '2' on your map. This is Weir Snout.
Stage 3
Continue along the path, going straight. You'll arrive at the Shepherd's Steps leading down to the Blue Trail and Red Trail. Avoid the temptation to go down the steps if you want to stay on course. Continue along the clifftop path.
Stage 4
Continue along the path, going straight. The path becomes a little more rustic as you move further from the causeway but will be visible.
Stage 5
Continue along the path, going straight and following the visible trail. Do not deviate from this due to sheer cliffs to your left. You'll encounter far fewer people along this section of the trail.
End point
Hamilton's Seat
Trail map
Giant's Causeway Yellow Trail map | © Land and Property Services permit no. 120099 Crown Copyright (2013)
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You can also book for a fully guided Clifftop Experience

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44 Causeway Road, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT57 8SU

02820731855

giantscausewaytic@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Near to

Start point

Trail information

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

Getting here

Facilities

Accessibility

Terrain and elevation

Trail route

Total stages: 5

Total stages: 5

Start point

Stage 1

Point of interest

Stage 2

Point of interest

Stage 3

Point of interest

Stage 4

Point of interest

Stage 5

Point of interest

End point

Trail map

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