Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Information => Introductions => Topic started by: PatrickR on July 23, 2013

Title: wild camping sites on the north coast
Post by: PatrickR on July 23, 2013: Hi All

I have just returned from holiday which included a short 2 day survival/bushcraft course in England. My 11 year old and I had a lot of fun on the course sleeping under the tarp and cooking on fire. We are more used to a tent and gas cooker.

Are there any good wild camping places near the north coast? Ideally in the woods.

Thanks

Patrick
Title: Re: wild camping sites on the north coast
Post by: ChuckMcB on July 25, 2013: Welcome Patrick.

I'm also interested in getting up the North Coast, will be interested to see the suggestions.

Woods are a bit of a touchy subject, technically camping (or tarping) on any Forest Service land has been 'banned' by a recently introduced (but I've seen no attempt to police) by-law. But I would have know issue quietly going in, staying and leaving knowing that I'll do my best not to cause any damage etc.
Title: Re: wild camping sites on the north coast
Post by: PatrickR on July 26, 2013: Thanks for the reply, I camped years ago in a few places on the coast between Portrush and Ballycastle. However, no trees or woods.

I read on this site that someone had tried camping at Breen wood near Ballycastle, but I suspect you'd have to be very careful to leave no trace...

Hopefully others will have found suitable hidden places!
Title: Re: wild camping sites on the north coast
Post by: t18con on July 26, 2013: not really "out of the way" but we camped for one night towards the end port ballintrae strand, towards the outdoor pursuits place, no negative vibes, everyone seemed surprised to see people camping there.

also camped for 2 nights on benone (about halfway up back in against the dunes). again we were far away to not get any hassle, even the council workers who clean the beach every morning never said a word.

the wee beach at dunsevrick castle has raw sewage running into it , so i'd give it a miss. theres a couple of spots higher up if you are all at an age where safety isn't an issue along that wee bit of coast.
Title: Re: wild camping sites on the north coast
Post by: Rich.H on July 26, 2013: Not sure how far away it is from you but the woods on Binevenagh have a couple of spots you can camp. The woods are well used by both bikers and walkers/runners. So you would need to either have a no open fire or at least very very small fire policy.

The other option up that way would be the forest area near Coleraine over the mountain, i've yet to have a look up there but the map shows it as clearly large enough to find some quiet spots.
Title: Re: wild camping sites on the north coast
Post by: andymcinroy on July 26, 2013: How about a nice sea cave?

Nobody would ever find you down here.

(http://www.andymcinroy.com/images/ir397.jpg)
Title: Re: wild camping sites on the north coast
Post by: ChuckMcB on July 26, 2013: Quote from: andymcinroy on July 26, 2013
How about a nice sea cave?

Nobody would ever find you down here.

Oh yes!

Oweynagolman Cave, Rathlin Island (source: http://www.andymcinroy.com/ir397.htm )
Title: Re: wild camping sites on the north coast
Post by: PatrickR on July 28, 2013: Thanks for all your ideas, we'll try heading north east next weekend if the weather looks reasonable.

The picture of the cave looks very like the one under Dunluce castle, which is a good place to start coasteering from.

Patrick
Title: Re: wild camping sites on the north coast
Post by: piczo on July 31, 2013: Your not supposed to camp in the forestry areas but if you walk far enough in to them the Possibility of you bumping into someone is slim as long as you leave no trace then no one will ever know you were there .. ;D