Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => General Chat => Topic started by: Wolf_Larson on March 27, 2012
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Im going to bivy on my 1st solo wild camp in the last cove at the old path of the Gaints cause way, its my favourite spot in the whole world. Ill have to drop some wood off but there is a lot of drift wood in the cove.
Ill bring bivy, sleeping bag, roll mat, fishing rod, kinfe, water, nuts. Ill try catch dinner out of the sea. If not ill eat nuts as ill stay Saterday night and stay to sometime sunday.
Not sure when im going but it will be this summer as land sides happen in winder, ill keep ya all posted.
On the picture you see the highest rock on the wee island its about 20 foot and below it there is grass (its not that clear on the picture) I can use that rock as a wind block for a fire and sleeping. I can also fish from there, not sure what you catch round there i need to look that up some how.
Regards Dave
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Wouldn't mind doing something like that myself!
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I'm sure you are already aware of this, but the descent is extremely dangerous. A slip on the loose gravel on the old path could well be fatal. Also the concrete blocks where the old steps used to be are highly unstable.
I was down there last year and took the shot below of the rock you point out. This is the 'Nurse and Child Rock' It would be a great place for a bivi, no doubt about that. Grass is lovely and soft there if I remember right.
However, I have an even better suggestion. Go a little further on past Hamilton's Seat / Benbane Head and descend the next gully. This takes you down to the shoreline directly below the mighty Bengore Head. This is the land that time forgot and much less visible from the cliftop. Lots of great bivi spots down there. The 2nd image was taken there. This is the most northerly mainland point in Northern Ireland and beats Benbane head by a 100m or so. Not many people ever go there.
(http://www.andymcinroy.com/images/ir370.jpg)
(http://www.andymcinroy.com/images/ir343.jpg)
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andymicinroy, ive never been to the next cove, i have no idea how to get there and i have done that walk 7 times now. Can you give me an idea how to get there beyond them steps ???
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The Causeway Headlands can be descended to sea level at only 4 points from The Shepherd's Path to Dunseverick Castle. I'll list these from West to East.
1st point is at Hamilton's Seat where the old steps used to be. GR965458
This descent here is lethal and I have only chanced it twice. I fear a third is pushing my luck. This will take you down to the Horseshoe harbour which is shown in your photo. From here you can traverse West further into Port Tober and Port na Spaniagh but only at low tide and under low swell. The mid level path has collapsed below Pleaskin Head. However, by traversing at sea level it is still possible to reconnect with the mid level path at the Amphitheatre. It is not possible to traverse East from this descent.
2nd point is the easy gully just east of Hamilton's Seat. GR968458
This takes you down between Benbane Head and Bengore Head. Brilliant bivi spots down there.
3rd point is Contham Head where a sneaky descent path leads around the Head (not easy to find). GR978454
This takes you to an old mineshaft into the cliff which unfortunately is now closed over by an iron gate.
4th point is Port Moon where it is possible to descend the steep slop on the West side of Port Moon. GR978453
Hidden from view to the east side of Port Moon is the Smuggler's cave. This is an amazing place but you'll need a dinghy to get there from Port Moon.
The 2nd and 3rd points can be joined to allow a sea level traverse below the cliffs. I guarantee that you will never see a soul down there. Loads of bivi opportunity. However a broken leg would certainly result in a helicopter rescue so go carefully.
Smuggler's Cave - Port Moon
(http://www.andymcinroy.com/images/5port44.jpg)
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Was looking at a map today andy im going to scout out all the bits of the path im not to sure about, your info have been amazing. Ill keep you up to date with this mate.
Many regards Dave AKA Wolf
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This looks pretty cool, if your down there dave give us a wee report of what you think, even a pic if possible, im all for trying some where different.
Al.
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Shall do, its in the early states at the minit. Ill have a scout about soon down in the coves, ill keep ya up to date with this.
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Wolf,
Let me know how it goes. Also, have you ever been in Portcoon cave just west of the visitor centre? You could bivi down in there pretty comfortably. However, I've heard ghost voices of children in there (seriously). Don't have nightmares. :o
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Wow I want to do that!!
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Wolf,
Let me know how it goes. Also, have you ever been in Portcoon cave just west of the visitor centre? You could bivi down in there pretty comfortably. However, I've heard ghost voices of children in there (seriously). Don't have nightmares. :o
who ya gonna call? NI - Wild!! lol Id be up for a bivvy in the haunted cave, that would be cool!!
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Here's a picture taken inside.
Not many people come down here. Plenty of driftwood to light a fire too.
(http://www.andymcinroy.com/images/5port34.jpg)
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I could bring my digital voice recorder.. Cool!
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Wolf,
Let me know how it goes. Also, have you ever been in Portcoon cave just west of the visitor centre? You could bivi down in there pretty comfortably. However, I've heard ghost voices of children in there (seriously). Don't have nightmares. :o
Has there ever been any record of children dying/drowning in and around that area?
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I found the cavern of Port Coon very difficult of access, and was obliged to jump from rock to rock at the risk of breaking my arms and legs, in order to reach a frightful fissure in one of the sides of the immense cave. The sea entered it on the left, and the boiling waves dashed close to me with a noise resembling thunder. I penetrated to the right, without reflection, beneath the threatening excavations where wind and tide were running riot. Impelled by enthusiasm, and unable to restrain myself, I did not hear my guide crying with all his might, "Go no further, come back!" His voice was lost amid the roaring of the sea. Suddenly I felt myself seized by the arm, "Do you wish, then, to perish!" said the affrighted David, " the tide is rising, we shall not be able to retreat, already the water is gaining on us."
The Three Kingdoms: England, Scotland, Ireland
Charles Victor P. Arlincourt, 1844
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and if you want some seriously spooky caves to bivi in, try those on Rathlin. I have been in many of these and there is a deep chill in some of them. They say the human bones are still lying just beneath the cave floors.
Before an alarm could be given the English had landed close to the church which bears Columba's name. The castle was taken by storm, and every soul in it - about two hundred - put to the sword. It was then discovered that the greater part of the fugitives, chiefly mothers and their little ones, were hidden in the caves about the shores. "They were hunted out as if they had been seals or otters, and all destroyed".
The Subterranean World
Published 1871, Georg Hartwig
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They say the human bones are still lying just beneath the cave floors.
:o :o :o :o
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WOW !!! I know where my hang out will be this summer. I have a house in portrush i rent
so ill be useing it for a base to check out the whole of the cause way. I have done the path
seven times now but never the caves as i was pretty beat after the path and the steep
climbs up and down the coves. There is lots of drif wood about the coves, SPUD ! I agreed
a wild night and camp in a cave is on the cards, ill scout these places in the next month or
so and keep us all up to date, ALAN my miss has a camra so ill be able to post pictures.
BOO !!!! i scared you ::)
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Andy,
Great posts and information. With regard to a thread I started I think that stretch of coastline could be one of the wildest places in NI. You mentioned, 'from the Shepherd's Path to Dunseverick'. What is the grid reference for the Shepherd's Path?
I will also be checking out the area this ssummer, although I don't like the sound of broken legs and helicopter rescues.
Re. the caves on Rathlin I presume you are discussing the massacre in the 1570s when Walter Devereux attacked the Highland Scots. Wouldn't be surprised if the bones were still to be found. Ironically the episode has been used in Irish nationalist folklore/propaganda despite the victims being Scottish settlers.
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The grid ref for the top of the Shepherd's path is 952445. This is where the tourist path rises in a series of steps to the top of the cliff.
I believe the extract I quoted refers to the Devereux / Norris / Drake landing and massacre of the MacDonnell clan that were based on Rathlin (Sorley Boy apparently watched from the north coast but was powerless to stop it). Date was 1573 or so.
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Andy,
Great posts and information. With regard to a thread I started I think that stretch of coastline could be one of the wildest places in NI. You mentioned, 'from the Shepherd's Path to Dunseverick'. What is the grid reference for the Shepherd's Path?
I will also be checking out the area this ssummer, although I don't like the sound of broken legs and helicopter rescues.
Re. the caves on Rathlin I presume you are discussing the massacre in the 1570s when Walter Devereux attacked the Highland Scots. Wouldn't be surprised if the bones were still to be found. Ironically the episode has been used in Irish nationalist folklore/propaganda despite the victims being Scottish settlers.
That makes two of us, let me know anytime your heading up there. I have a base in portrush to start from ;D
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Andy, thanks for Shepherd's Path grid-ref.
Wolf, will let you know when I'm heading up.
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Anyone fancy doing this over Easter?
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Kayakgirl, I'll let you know when I'm going up. Probably won't be for a month or so now.
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Cool, keep me posted!
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I was in the cave at dunluce castle (not good for a bivey or a tent) I did not get a chance to do the caves at the Gaints cause way, family Easter stuff was happening. I do plan to find these caves sometime soon i hope. The cave at dunluse castle is a very big cave and very rockey. There is no place for a tent or a beviy, the mouth of the cave looks a great spot to Kayak out from ***BUT NOT FOR BEGINERS*** the sea is very rough, also big rocks after the swells go down. It is worth a look, just be very carefull NI WILDERS and anyone else that go.
Regards wolf AKA Dave
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I got a good map of the Gaints cause way, so ill have to plan a route to take ;D