Dark Hedges & Coastal Route

About This Tour

Journey along one of the world's most spectacular coastal drives, where dramatic cliffs meet azure seas, ancient forests whisper secrets, and every turn reveals another postcard-perfect vista. This full-day tour combines the haunting beauty of the Dark Hedges with the breathtaking splendor of the Causeway Coastal Route – a 120-mile stretch of coastline that National Geographic named among the world's greatest road trips. The Dark Hedges stand as one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland. This atmospheric tunnel of intertwined beech trees, planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century to impress visitors approaching their Georgian mansion, has transcended its original purpose to become a symbol of Northern Ireland's mystical beauty. When sunlight filters through the gnarled branches, creating patterns of light and shadow, you understand why it's been featured in Game of Thrones, countless films, and millions of Instagram posts. But the Dark Hedges is just the beginning. Your journey takes you along the Causeway Coastal Route, a dramatic ribbon of asphalt that winds between mountains and sea, connecting a string of charming villages, hidden beaches, and natural wonders. This is driving as it should be – unhurried, with time to stop whenever something catches your eye, to breathe the salt air, to walk a windswept beach, to capture that perfect photograph. We'll visit Ballintoy Harbour, a tiny fishing harbor that's so perfectly picturesque it seems almost unreal. Stone walls shelter fishing boats from Atlantic swells, while the surrounding cliffs and sea stacks create a landscape of raw beauty. Game of Thrones fans will recognize it as the Iron Islands, but its appeal extends far beyond television. Local fishermen still work these waters, and the harbor exudes an authentic charm that larger tourist destinations have lost. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge offers an optional adrenaline rush (if you're inclined). This rope bridge spans a 20-meter chasm between the mainland and Carrick-a-Rede island, 30 meters above the rocks and swirling seas below. Fishermen constructed the first bridge here over 350 years ago to access their salmon fishery, and today it's one of Northern Ireland's most popular attractions. The views from the bridge – looking down at the turquoise waters, out to Rathlin Island and Scotland beyond – justify the crossing even if your legs shake slightly. The tour includes countless viewpoints where we'll stop for photos and contemplation. Whitepark Bay, a pristine beach of white sand stretching for two miles, remains remarkably uncrowded even in summer. The Glens of Antrim, nine lush valleys cutting through the coastal mountains, offer a completely different aesthetic – green, sheltered, intimate rather than dramatic. This tour is entirely flexible. If you want to spend an hour photographing the Dark Hedges from every angle, we'll do that. If you'd rather walk to the end of Whitepark Bay, skip the rope bridge, or explore a ruined castle, that's your choice. Your guide knows hidden viewpoints, quiet beaches, excellent lunch spots, and the stories behind every ruin and landmark. We'll craft the day around your interests and energy levels. The Causeway Coastal Route showcases Northern Ireland at its most beautiful. Away from political history and urban centers, this is a landscape shaped by wind, waves, and volcanic forces over millions of years. It's where Northern Ireland's natural beauty takes center stage, where the journey matters as much as the destination, and where even the most jaded traveler finds themselves reaching for their camera at every turn. This tour suits photographers, nature lovers, couples seeking romance, families wanting variety, and anyone who understands that some of travel's best moments happen between the "official" stops. It's about the unexpected – a rainbow over Ballintoy, a seal popping up in the harbor, perfect light on the Dark Hedges, sheep blocking the road while everyone laughs and takes photos. You'll return to Belfast having experienced Northern Ireland's softer side – its beauty, charm, and the ineffable quality that makes this small corner of the world so beloved by those who discover it.

Tour Highlights

Itinerary

Meeting Point