Check Out The Giants Causeway
Still to do
Forty thousand stone columns step down into the Atlantic like a giant's staircase, and the legend says one actually built it.
The adventure
Walk down from the cliffs on the north Antrim coast and the rock beneath your feet suddenly turns geometric. Thousands of basalt columns, most of them neatly six-sided, fit together like a honeycomb and march down into the sea, some knee-high stepping stones, others stacked into towers twelve metres tall.
Scientists will tell you they formed around 60 million years ago, when lava cooled and cracked as it shrank. Local legend says the giant Finn McCool built the causeway to cross to Scotland and fight his rival Benandonner, and on a wild day, with Atlantic waves smashing white over the columns and the wind howling off the headland, the giant seems the more believable story. Look out for the Giant's Boot, the Organ and the Wishing Chair.
Why it’s epic
- Around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, formed by volcanic activity around 60 million years ago.
- Northern Ireland's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 1986.
- Rock formations with names like the Giant's Boot, the Organ and the Wishing Chair.
- The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the Dark Hedges are both a short drive away along the Causeway Coastal Route.
What it is
The Giant's Causeway is made of around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by a volcanic eruption.
How to do it
It's about an hour's drive from Belfast. Access to the stones is free; the visitor centre charges for parking and exhibits.
Top tip
Walk the cliff-top trail for the best views down to the causeway.
Need to know
- The stones themselves are free to visit; the National Trust visitor centre charges for entry and parking.
- The rocks can be slippery and waves can be dangerous in rough weather, so wear good shoes and keep off the wet lower columns.
- It's about an hour's drive from Belfast, and coach day trips run from Belfast and Dublin.
Make it happen
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Why it’s on my list
Not done yet. If you’ve done it and have tips, tell me about it.
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