Giant’s Causeway: Selected Tours & Things To Do

The Giant’s Causeway is one of Ireland’s most famous landmarks, therefore the Visitor Centre is proportionally quite busy. Many people simply drive to the Giant’s Causeway, pop into the Visitor’s Centre and then walk down to the Giant’s Causeway (or take the shuttle).

However, as local experts, we recommend that the most rewarding and adventurous way to visit the Giant’s Causeway is by hiking to it along the Causeway Coast – in all, a 52-km-long route along Northern Ireland’s coastline. Following the coast, you’ll come across crumbling castles, towering sea stacks, beautiful ocean vistas, quaint harbours, postcard beaches, and nesting seabirds. In fact, this is the the route we take our clients on our Hiking the Causeway Route and Donegal trip.

Starting at what little remains of Dunseverick Castle, follow the Causeway Coastal Route, voted Lonely Planet’s top 2018 destination, along the narrow coastal trek. This 4.5 mile hike will take you about 2 hours. Along the way, admire rolling emerald farmland dotted with grazing livestock on one side, and ocean waves flecked with diving seabirds rolling out to the horizon on the other.

As you approach the Giant’s Causeway, watch as the geology grows more and more strange as you start to spot the basalt columns and formations made famous by the Causeway. Descend the cliffs via the panoramic Shepherd’s Steps – 162 stone steps leading down to visit the “Organ” – a row of unique, enormous columns towering over the bay – and the “Amphitheatre,” where you can drink in the coastline panorama as well as admire curious rock formations such as the chimney stacks. Finally, after such anticipation, follow the coastal path down to the Giant’s Causeway. It’s worth the wait!

Hike to the Giant’s Causeway

Ever wondered why it’s called the Giant’s Causeway? Why…’giants’? To answer that, we’ll dip into one of Ireland’s most fascinating myths. A long time ago, Irish giant Finn McCool got into an argument with the Scottish giant Benandonner, over property rights. Angry, Finn started chucking boulders from the Antrim Coast into the sea. Inspired, he built a causeway (a bridge) across the sea to Scotland to challenge Benandonner to a duel.

Intimidated by the Scottish giant’s huge size, Finn retreated to Ireland. Realising that a con was the best way to win, his wife disguised him as a giant baby. Benandonner concluded that if Finn’s child was that big, Finn himself must be huge! Benandonner runs away, ripping up bits of the causeway behind him, leaving it the fragmented causeway we see today.

Though you may not see the giants on your visit, knowing the story gives insights into the ancient Celtic people. Before you explore the stones, visit the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre, an interactive centre perfect for introducing you to the mythos of Irish folklore surrounding the Giant’s Causeway – as well as explaining the science behind the basalt columns of the Causeway Coast. You can even pick up an audio guide for more details as you explore the stones. Note that access to the stones is free but use of carp park or Visitor’s Centre is £11.50 pp. The Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre has a cafe, shop and toilets.

Myths of the Giant’s Causeway