ANTRIM WALKING TOUR IRELAND - 9-DAY - MODERATE   DAY 1: Arrival in Ballymena From your point of arrival, use the public transport information we provide to make the journey to Ballymena. From here, you will be collected and brought to your guesthouse in Broughshane where you will spend the next three nights. DAY 2: Waterfoot - Glenariff Forest Park • Distance 16km• Walking Time 3.5 – 5.5 hours • Max Height 275m You will be transferred this morning to the coastal village of Waterfoot. From here you will follow the Glenariff River up the valley to the Forest Park of the same name. You will then follow a delightful nature trail with views across the Sea of Moyle to England and Scotland. DAY 3: Orra Beg - Glenariff Forest Park • Distance 16km• Walking Time 3.5 – 6 hours • Max Height 508m In the morning you will be driven to a forest track below Orra Beg. Continue along paths and tracks across open moorland and through quiet forests before climbing once over the shoulder of Trostan and then down into Glenariff once again. DAY 4: Orra Beg - Ballycastle • Distance 22km• Walking Time 5 – 7.5 hours • Max Height 320m Returning to Orra Beg, you now follow the trail in the opposite direction, north towards Ballycastle. You follow the Glenshesk River downhill past the grave of McQuillan - an ancient Irish clan leader - before climbing steeply uphill to Breen Forest. Follow the trails downhill to your guesthouse next to the sea. DAY 5: Rathlin Island • Distance 12-20km • Walking Time 3 – 7.5 hours • Max Height 97m Take the short ferry trip to Rathlin Island in the morning. We recommend a trip to the West Lighthouse to visit the large seabird colony. Why not take a bus there and walk back? This will leave you plenty of time for a great little hike to the South Lighthouse in the afternoon. DAY 6: Ballycastle - Ballintoy • Distance 18km • Walking Time 4 – 6.5 hours • Max Height 160m After passing through a farmyard, you follow a lovely forest trail that eventually leads onto an old boreen with stunning views towards Rathlin Island. Before descending into Ballintoy, be sure to test your mettle on the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge - a highlight of the walking tour! DAY 7: Ballintoy - Portballintrae • Distance 20km • Walking Time 4.5 – 7.5 hours • Max Height 102m You will walk for a long time before you find another clifftop walk as breathtaking as this sensational trek along the Causeway coastline. There are many delights on this walk from Ballintoy Harbour to White Park Beach and, of course, the Giant's Causeway - a UNESCO world heritage site. DAY 8: Portballintrae - Portstewart • Distance 17km • Walking Time 4 – 5.5 hours • Max Height 45m Shortly after leaving Portballintrae, the impressive ruins of Dunluce Castle suddenly appear and a stop for a closer inspection is well worthwhile. Follow the coastal path around the town of Portrush and then continue past beautiful links golf courses next to the sea until you reach Portstewart. DAY 9: Depart Portstewart There are regular bus services departing Portstewart. We will be happy to provide you with further details upon request.
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