Walked from Ballintoy Harbour to the Causeway Centre. Trip report and photos to follow. Having reagrd to other recent threads will include kit list.
Thursday 23 August 2012.
Started off from the harbour at Ballintoy. There were plenty of cars parked and people milling about enjoying the sea fresh air and the stunning views accentuated by the bright sunshine. How long would that last? The path is easy to follow and mindful of advice to check the tide times I wondered when this advice would become apparent.
As I neared a turn in the heading there were other walkers coming towards me. As we met I was informed that the path was blocked due to the tide being in. This was when the tide information was relevant! However, I was intending to see where I could get to as I don’t know the area.
This necessitated turning back and then climbing up a bank onto the top of the headland. Here the path was less obvious, the ground thick with thistles and other jagging plants. After crossing some fences and sliding down a grassy slope I reached a wide well used path bounded on each side by lush grasses and wind bush. A short walk lead directly onto the beautiful sandy and almost stone-less beach. The sky was turning that awful grey colour, rain was threatening, I was hoping it wouldn’t.
Walking on soft sand isn’t easy, as we all know, so I tried to walk on the wetter sand dodging the waves as they tried to catch me out. The wave sculpture had created some interesting shapes on the sand and this one, I thought, resembles a little mountain range, don’t know where though.
The cliff face is dotted with little inlets and caverns so I intended that one of them would be my place for lunch. It was really peaceful having a break looking out into the sea and along the coastline.
With lunch over it was onwards around the coastal path which involved a bit of scrambling over rocks, some of which were a bit slippy. Then a small group of beautifully kept houses and a slipway came into view. They were nestled in a quiet bay surrounded by towering trees that swayed in a gentle sea breeze.
Mindful that these were private dwellings I was cautious about trespassing, even by using my camera or staring. Just to the left of the house is a small out-building, smaller than a standard garage. It was only by the presence of two other visitors that I realised that it was in fact a church.
This allegedly is the smallest church in Ireland. See this link:-
http://www.causewaycoastway.com/towns-villages/portbraddan.php 
This is where the path is closed, or rather about another ¼ mile beyond. I did venture to see exactly what had happened and found that a wooden structure had collapsed, most likely in a local landslide. Remnants lay strangled in the mud and debris. So, having ignored the warning sign I had to endure another back-track detour. Other walkers passed me in the opposite direction. I did advise them of the obstacle ahead, but, like me they were curious to see how far they could go anyway.
Back at the Gobbans Church it was uphill on the tarmac out onto the A2 road. This walk was short but precarious due to the speed and desire of drivers to ruffle my feathers with their door mirrors. There is a road to the right the B146 which leads to Dunseverick Castle. There were plenty of tourists here, cameras clicking, eyes drinking in the stunning views.
The path maintained by the National trust winds its way into the gently rising, grass and gorse covered backdrop to the castle remains. It was like thick pile carpet compared to the harshness of the tarmac.
The path continues on towards the Causeway Centre, meandering along the incredible coastline of North Antrim, the solid and apparently indestructible rock carved by the might of the unrelenting onslaught of the mighty wind and waves.
On approaching the Giants Causeway I was surprised and rather puzzled by the presence of large yellow and red square boards. I was later informed that these are something to do with flags or similar and are there until September. I’d welcome any other information. They are a bit of an eyesore.
Finally, I reached the Causeway Centre where I was collected for the short journey back to Bushmills. This was an enjoyable walk which no doubt can be enhanced when the collapsed walkway is eventually restored. With a bit of planning I would like to walk other sections of the Causeway Walk.
Heres a link to all the photos
http://imageshack.us/g/580/ballintoytocauseway23au.jpg/
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Topic: North Coast Walk (Read 8525 times)