Ballycastle, a region in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, is situated on the northeastern coast, serving as a gateway to both the Glens of Antrim and the Causeway Coast. The landscape features a diverse composition of coastal areas, dramatic headlands like Fair Head, and the inland Knocklayde Mountain, alongside the basalt plateau that defines much of the region's geology. This varied terrain provides opportunities for several sports like hiking, road cycling, jogging, and touring cycling.
Ballycastle…
30
Routes
4.4
(35)
Average rating
528
People visited

4.3
(14)
71
hikers
5.46km
01:54
170m
170m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(4)
26
hikers
15.5km
04:37
390m
390m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.0
(2)
13
hikers
8.01km
02:39
270m
260m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

2
hikers
4.82km
01:23
120m
120m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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14
runners
15.5km
02:00
390m
390m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4
runners
9.59km
01:00
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
18.2km
01:53
60m
60m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
6.81km
00:43
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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50
riders
81.8km
03:27
420m
420m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

22
riders
73.3km
03:02
240m
240m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

18
riders
51.5km
02:21
420m
420m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

15
riders
27.3km
01:12
120m
120m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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12
riders
100km
06:01
690m
690m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
riders
22.0km
01:18
140m
140m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
14.0km
00:54
30m
30m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
53.0km
03:14
450m
450m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Ballycastle offers diverse outdoor activities including Hiking, Road cycling, Jogging, and Touring cycling. The region's varied terrain, from coastal paths to mountain trails, supports a range of experiences.
Ballycastle provides diverse hiking opportunities, including marked trails on Fair Head with coastal views and challenging paths within the Glens of Antrim. Panoramic views are available from Knocklayde Mountain. For more details, explore Hiking around Ballycastle.
Yes, Ballycastle offers easy hiking options suitable for various fitness levels. These trails provide access to the region's scenery without significant elevation changes. Specific easy routes can be found in the guide Easy hikes around Ballycastle.
Ballycastle is a hub for both road cycling and touring cycling. Routes include sections of the Causeway Coastal Route and country roads through North Antrim. More information can be found in Road Cycling Routes around Ballycastle and Cycling around Ballycastle.
The region features prominent natural landmarks such as Fair Head, a striking headland rising 643 feet (196 meters) from the bay. Knocklayde Mountain, at 1,685 feet (514 meters), offers panoramic views. The iconic Giant's Causeway is also accessible via the Causeway Coastal Route.
Yes, Rathlin Island is easily accessible by ferry from Ballycastle. It is Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island, known for its rugged cliffs, diverse bird colonies, and scenic walks. Rathlin Island is a Special Area of Conservation.
The Moyle Way is a long-distance walking route that starts in Ballycastle. It extends through the Glens of Antrim, offering challenging trails for experienced trekkers. The route concludes at Glenariff Forest Park.
Routes in Ballycastle have an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on komoot. This rating is based on experiences shared by more than 1,000 visitors to the region. The high rating reflects the quality of outdoor experiences available.
Yes, Ballycastle offers various running trails suitable for jogging. These routes can be found along the coast and through local trails. For detailed options, consult the guide Running Trails around Ballycastle.
More information about Ballycastle and the surrounding area can be found on the official website of Visit Causeway Coast and Glens. The Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre can be reached at +44 (0) 28 2076 2024.
The Causeway Coastal Route is a spectacular scenic route that Ballycastle lies roughly midway along. It features dramatic coastal scenery, unusual rock formations, and iconic attractions like the Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. It is ideal for road and touring cycling.
Knocklayde Mountain, which dominates the landscape behind Ballycastle, stands at an elevation of 1,685 feet (514 meters). From its summit, panoramic views of Ballycastle, Rathlin Island, Fair Head, and Scotland's Mull of Kintyre are visible on clear days.

