Discover more at Giant's Causeway
Find out when Giant's Causeway is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Visiting Giant's Causeway with your dog
Discover Giant's Causeway with your four-legged companion by your side. Enjoy a refreshing walk along the world-famous stones and breath-taking coastline, 'paws' for a break in the café and explore the award-winning Visitor Centre. As a 3 paw-print rated place, the Giant's Causeway is the perfect dog-friendly day out.
Our pawprint rating system
We’ve been working on making it easier for you to find out how dog-friendly your visit will be before you and your four-legged-friend arrive. To help with this, we've created a new pawprint rating system and given all the places in our care a rating. You can find this information in the National Trust members’ handbook.
Three pawprints shows the very best places you can visit for a day with your dog. You’ll be able to take your dog to most areas, including indoors for a cup of tea and a treat. There’ll be clearly-signed dog zones and dog-friendly experiences.
Giant’s Causeway is a three pawprint rated place and is fully dog-friendly. Dogs on leads are welcome in the outdoor spaces, throughout the Visitor Centre, including the cafe and on guided tours. Water bowls for your dog are positioned in the Visitor Centre's front and rear doors.
Embark on a GIANT, 'paw-fect' adventure with your four-legged bestie and choose from 4 of our walking trails - Blue, Red, Green and Yellow, or...come back and complete them all! If you're visiting solo, no need to worry - there's nowhere your dog can't go with you.
The Canine Code
We’ve worked with our partner Forthglade to come up with this Canine Code, which helps to make sure everyone can enjoy their day:
- Keep them close: using a short lead avoids tripping up other visitors and helps to keep your dog from disturbing ground-nesting birds and farm animals. It's essential to use a short lead around sheep. But if cattle approach you, it's best to let your dog off the lead, and call them back when it's safe to do so.
- Pick up the poo: please always clear up after your dog. If you can't find a bin nearby, take the poo bags home with you.
- Watch the signs: keep an eye on local signs and notices wherever you're walking. They'll tell you if a beach has a dog ban, for instance, or if a path has been diverted, or if you're in an area where dogs can run off-lead.
- Stay on the ball: remember that not everyone loves dogs, and some people fear them. So make sure your dog doesn't run up to other people, especially children.
Keeping control of your dog
Our definition of close or effective control is:
- Being able to recall your dogs in any situation at the first call
- Being able to clearly see your dog at all times (not just knowing they have gone into the undergrowth or over the crest of the hill). In practice, this means keeping them on a footpath if the surrounding vegetation is too dense for your dog to be visible
- Not allowing them to approach other visitors without their consent
- Having a lead with you to use if you encounter livestock or wildlife, or if you are asked to use one
Visiting the Giant's Causeway with your dog
The Giant's Causeway is fully dog friendly, with dogs on leads welcome in all areas of the Visitor Centre and across the 5km UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Our partners
We've partnered with natural pet food maker Forthglade so that you and your dog can get even more out of the special places we care for.
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Dog-friendly places to visit
Discover the best places for you and your dog to explore, from coastal adventures and dramatic mountains to more leisurely walks and gardens to visit nearby. Plus, find information on dog-friendly cafés and read our Canine Code.
Visiting National Trust places with your dog
If you’re bringing your dog(s) to the places we care for, you'll find information on our Canine Code and pawprint rating system, created in partnership with Forthglade, to help plan your visit.
Best walks with dog-friendly cafés
Rest and refuel after getting out in nature with your dog. Here's a selection of the best walks with dog-friendly cafés at places we look after.
How we're working with Forthglade for dog-friendly visits
We've partnered with natural pet food maker Forthglade to create the Dogs Welcome project, helping you and your dog(s) get the most out of the places in our care.
Eating and shopping at Giant's Causeway
Fuel your GIANT adventure in the Visitor Centre Café, and explore handcrafted collections by local artisans in our Retail area, perfect for finding a unique keepsake to take home!
Visiting the Giant's Causeway in summer
A summer of giants, myths and unforgettable memories awaits you at Northern Ireland's first UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Planning your visit to the Giant's Causeway
Planning a trip to the Giant's Causeway sometime soon? Our FAQs cover everything you need to know!
Dog-friendly places in Northern Ireland
With water bowls, hitching posts and plenty of ground to cover, the places in our care aren't just for history-loving hounds. The sandy beaches and woodland trails on offer are a dog-walker's dream. From dog exercise areas to dog-friendly accommodation, discover a slice of canine heaven when visiting with your four-legged friend.
