Know Before You Go: Most of these trails are very busy. The rocks can be slippery when wet. You don’t need to pay to go to the Visitor Centre to see Giant’s Causeway. Length: We hiked all four trails for a total of 4.34 miles. Time:This took us around 1.5 hours. Terrain:Ranges from dirt path to paved, flat trail to steep stairs. Difficulty: Strenuous in places. Dog-friendly: Yes. Kid-friendly: Yes, but keep a close eye on kids as there are not guard rails on these walks.
Giants Causeway is an area of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns located in Northern Ireland and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are a few hiking opportunities at Giant’s Causeway, ranging in difficulty and length. Some walk above the basalt columns and some walk on them. The Red Trail is quite challenging and climbs steep, uneven stairs to the top of the cliffs. The Blue Trail hikes on the basalt columns. The Yellow and Green Trails walk west of the Causeway to great viewpoints.
The folklore behind Giant’s Causeway tells the story of the Irish giant Finn MacCool, who was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner. Finn accepted the challenge and built Giant’s Causeway across the North Channel so the two could fight a battle in which Finn emerges victorious.
Most of this area is managed by the National Trust, which operates a Visitor Centre on the site, but it is not necessary to pay to visit the Visitor Centre in order to visit the Causeway.
It’s an awe-inspiring sight and a fun walk to boot.