The Causeway Coastal Route by campervan.

At a glance

The Causeway Coastal Route in a campervan, stop by stop

The official route lists its locations from Belfast round to Derry~Londonderry. Here they are in that order, grouped into the stretches we would actually drive. You can also join at many points along the way.

Belfast to Larne

1. Belfast. A good place to stock up before you leave the city.
2. Whiteabbey and Carrickfergus. Carrickfergus has its castle on the shore.
3. Boneybefore, Whitehead and Ballycarry. Small coastal stops as the road heads north.
4. Larne. Where the coast road proper begins.

The Glens of Antrim

5. Ballygally, Glenarm and Carnlough. The road hugs the sea under the cliffs.
6. Waterfoot, Cushendall and Cushendun. The glens open up inland here and are worth a walk.

The Causeway Coast

7. Ballycastle and Rathlin Island. Rathlin is reached by ferry; leave the van on the mainland.
8. Kinbane Castle, Carrick-a-Rede and Ballintoy. Clifftop ruins, the rope bridge and a tiny harbour.
9. White Park Bay and Dunseverick. A wide beach and another castle ruin.
10. Giant's Causeway and Bushmills. The headline stop. Go early or late to avoid the crowds.
11. Portballintrae, Dunluce Castle and White Rocks. Dunluce sits right on the cliff edge.
12. Portrush and Portstewart. Seaside towns with long beaches.

To Derry~Londonderry

13. Coleraine, Articlave and Castlerock.
14. Downhill and Magilligan. Big views over the coast.
15. Limavady, Ballykelly and Eglinton.
16. Derry~Londonderry. Finish with a walk on the city walls.

How many days

The official site says you can drive the route in a day and see two or three attractions, but recommends three to five days to cover the main sights and some of the scenic loops. It also suggests that staying in one central place lets you explore the whole route without moving. In a van we would split it: a night or two near the Glens, then a couple of nights on the Causeway Coast around Ballycastle or Portrush.

Roam's ready-made routes are coming, starting with the NC500. This route is on our list. Join the waitlist and we will tell you when routes launch.

Where to sleep

Northern Ireland has its own rules, separate from England, Wales and Scotland, and we could not find one official statement covering campervans along this coast. The safe assumption is the same as elsewhere in the UK: sleep on a campsite, or on private land with the landowner's permission. Do not assume that a car park or lay-by is fine overnight; look for signs, and check with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council or Mid and East Antrim Borough Council before you rely on anywhere.

There are holiday parks and campsites around Ballycastle, Portrush and Portstewart. Summer and big golf or event weekends fill up, so book ahead. For a general guide to what is allowed and where, see wild camping in the UK and motorhome aires in the UK.

Van-size warnings

• The main coast road is fine for most vans with care. It is the nine loop drives where the official site warns that some use minor single-lane roads. Check each loop before taking a big van on it.
• The car parks at the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede and Dunluce get busy in summer. Arrive early, or use a campsite and local transport.
• The Antrim coast road sits right under cliffs in places. In strong wind and high seas, take it slowly.

Fuel and water

You pass towns all the way along, so fuel is rarely far away. Our habit is to fill up in Belfast or Larne before the Glens and again around Ballycastle or Coleraine. Fill water and empty waste at your campsite. If you are carrying on into Donegal from Derry~Londonderry, remember you are crossing into the Republic of Ireland, which uses euros.

Like this kind of coastal loop? Compare it with the NC500 or Kintyre 66 in Scotland.

The loop drives

The nine official loop drives are what turn this from a day's drive into a proper trip. Together they add 256 miles (410 km) of inland and coastal roads to the main route. The catch, as the official site says, is that some use minor single-lane roads. Our approach in a van is simple: look at each loop on a map before you go, and if it is mostly narrow lanes with few passing places, do it on a bike or on foot from the campsite instead, or skip it.

The glens are the obvious inland detour. Glenarm, Carnlough, Waterfoot, Cushendall and Cushendun all sit at the mouths of the Glens of Antrim, and short drives inland from these villages are where the loops come into their own.

Before you go

• Book your sleeping first. The Causeway Coast is busy in summer, and the few campsites near the big attractions go quickly.
• Pick a direction. The official site says you can start at either city or join along the way. If you are arriving by ferry at Belfast or Larne, starting in the east is natural.
• Think about a base. The official site suggests staying in one central location and exploring from there. In a van that means fewer pack-ups and more time out walking.
• Book attractions that need it. Popular sites can have timed entry or limited parking in summer. Check each one's website before you go.
• Insurance and breakdown. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so UK cover normally applies, but if you might cross into Donegal, check your policy covers the Republic of Ireland too.

Questions

How long is the Causeway Coastal Route?

120 miles (190 km) between Belfast and Derry~Londonderry. The nine optional loop drives add 256 miles (410 km).

How many days do you need for the Causeway Coastal Route?

The official site suggests three to five days for a leisurely trip. You can drive it in one, but you will see very little.

Can you wild camp in a campervan in Northern Ireland?

Assume not without permission. Use campsites or ask the landowner, and check with the local council before staying anywhere else.

Which way should I drive the Causeway Coastal Route?

Either works. Starting in Belfast gets the Glens done first and saves the Causeway Coast for later; starting in Derry~Londonderry puts the Causeway early in the trip.