From the Giants Causeway to The Dark Hedges: A Guide to the Perfect Campervan or Motorhome Itinerary on the Causeway Coastal Route

What an absolutely epic road trip the Causeway coastal Route: northern Ireland is!  Lined with some of the best scenery, cliffs, coastal habitats and natural wonders. There’s no better way to see in than in your motorhome and campervan. This itinerary will get you seeing all the Craic the Causeway coastal route has to offer, an absolute must for any adventure-loving, nature enthusiast vanlifer!

We took our Mercedes sprinter Jungle Jim across from Scotland, after making Scotland’s equivalent The NC500 which we were so impressed and blown away by.

The route runs from Belfast to Derry, across the nine glens of Antrim. It is 130 miles and packs in so many awe-inspiring spots you can’t get your camera out fast enough! We did the route over 4 nights and 5 days, which was plenty of time as we spent one day and night in Belfast and wanted to do the Giants causeway, first thing in the morning on the last day. You can easily cut the length of time by half if you wanted to zip through it or likewise extend your stay to a full week and really take your time and enjoy it.

We wild-camped along the route and found it to be easy and accommodating. This might not be the same for big RVs and motorhomes as some of the roads may be narrow with few passing places (these are very clearly marked with alternate roads), but mostly the route is doable. This is the best itinerary for the causeway coastal route for campervans and motorhomes.

View from the top of Giants causeway

Wild camping along the causeway coastal route

Wild camping is prohibited on private property and much of Northern Ireland is privately owned land. Familiarise yourself with the Northern Irish outdoor code.

Although wild camping is prohibited, there is a level of tolerance towards wild camping from your campervan and motorhome in Northern Ireland. We wild camped our way around the causeway coastal route and found it to be hassle-free. We found people to be friendly and respectful and never came across any problems whilst parking up. 

NI majestic coastal views

Ballintoy harbour featured games of thrones

Belfast- Titanic Quarter- City Centre- Cathedral Quarter- Shankill Peacewall

We parked at the titanic quarter, large and secure parking which is £24 for 24 Hours, right across from the Titanic Museum and about 15 minutes walking into the centre of Belfast. The parking allows overnight stays. Although not guarded, the area seemed secure and safe.

Duke of York, classic Belfast pub

County Antrim- Carrickfergus- Larne- Madman’s Window- Glenarm

Head out of Belfast and north, towards the Antrim coast. Passing through Carrickfergus (Antrim’s oldest town) Stop and see the 800-year-old castle and meander through the town. Then continue north past Larne, along the coast road passing the Madman’s window a natural limestone boulder formation, and continue all the way to Glenarm.

Explore Glenarm’s cute, quaint, and historic village and its castle. There is a coastal walk if you have time, and make sure you check out the Glenarm forest one of the nine Glens of Antrim! Glenarm is also close to exploring the sights of Whitbay, Carnlough beach and the beautiful Cranny falls.

We found a natural spot along the coast, along the coast road to park overnight, further back towards the Madman’s window.

NI countryside

Hidden Village of Galboly- Cushendal Beach- Cushendun Caves- Fairhead – Kinbane Castle

Set off early morning to the hidden village of Galboly. The hidden village is the site of an old farming village now in ruins. It is set deep within the hills at Garron point, one of the nine glens. An easy enough walk-up leads you to some well-preserved quaint village houses and absolutely spectacular views. The hidden village became a pretty popular spot when it was used in filming Game of Thrones as the Vale of Arryn.
Set off next along the coast past Cushendal beach to explore Cushendun caves. Continue westward and make a stop at Fairhead. Take a hike around the Cliff edges for spectacular views across Rathlin Island and the entire Antrim coastline.

Continue on towards Ballycastle and stop at Kinbane castle (it’s possible to use this car park as a potential spot for overnight parking). Hike to the castle for a step back in time and explore the medieval castle ruins on the shore where the Atlantic, Irish, and Scottish seas meet.

*If you are tired, Rest up here or travel the few extra miles to catch the sunset at Portaneevy. Stay overnight at the Portaneevy free parking here, and enjoy the absolutely outstanding views of the coast during dinner and breakfast!

Hidden village of Galboly

Portaneevy – Larrybane Quarry- Port Balintoy- Dunserverick Falls – Bushmills

Starting at the Epic viewpoint of Portaneevy. Follow the coast down to stop at Larrybane quarry and Carrick-a-rede rope bridge. Hike around the old quarry, take in the coastlines, and step across the hundreds-year-old suspended bridge. Just in time for lunch, head to Port Balintoy. The cutest little historic harbour village. also used as the backdrop for Pyke, the Iron Islands in Game of Thrones. After Ballintoy we head up the coast to the magical Dunseverick castle, and Dunseverick falls where you see a river stream flow into the ocean. Head up the coast to the town of Bushmills, where the Giants causeway is located, so you can hit the Causeway first thing in the morning. You can also head a little inland on your itinerary at this point and go explore The Dark Hedges.

There is free overnight parking in the central Bushmills parking lot, across from the Bushmills hotel!

Bushmills distillery, fab drams

Bushmills- Giants Causeway- Magheracross- Portrush- Port Stewart- Derry

Wake up early and get your flask of tea ready today. Today is the last day of the Causeway coastal route and it’s a big one. You are going to head to Giants Causeway in the morning (if you are early for free parking, use the parking at the Bushmills railway). Now, remember its free to enter the causeway even though you have to walk through the bit where it looks like you have to pay (the car park and the experience). You can take a few different hikes and walks around the causeway. Give yourself plenty of time. A least a few hours to explore:  “The Giants causeway, The Organ, The Shepherds steps and the Amphitheater.” The amphitheatre’s lower path closed in 1994 due to geological preservation, but you can still walk the higher path, which will give you a view overlooking the amphitheatre. If you aren’t scared of heights, take the shepherd’s stairs up to the top and enjoy the views of the entire bay. We were there for around 2 hours and could have stayed longer, we wanted to take our time and enjoy the causeway undisturbed. We went early morning (around 6-7 am) and were by ourselves!

After the Causeway, head to another extremely breathtaking viewpoint: Magheracross cliff top for a stop to rest. Magheracross has spectacular views of rugged coastal headlands, with sea stacks and a sea arch to one side and ruins of the great Dunluce Castle to the other side. It’s mighty this view. From here head West to the quaint seaside towns of Portrush and then onto Portstewart (did somebody say fish and chips!?) You can make a stop at Mussenden Temple and Dunne waterfall, both near Port Stewart. After that, it’s straight onto Derry, where the Causeway coastal route ends!

Giants causeway

Hope you enjoyed reading and if you decide to use this itinerary we hope you have as big a Crac 90 as we did, please feel free to sign up or leave a comment below if you enjoyed the read!