Moyle Way

Distance:

20 miles

Start Point:

D114406

Finish Point:

D185215

Point of interest:

Five of the Glens of Antrim, Glenariff Forest Park, Breen Oakwood National Nature Reserve

Nearest town:

Ballycastle

Getting to the start:

Ballycastle can be reached via the A44.

The Diamond, where the walk begins, is the main square in the town. Parking is available here.

The main bus route is the Antrim Coaster Service No. 252 (seasonal).

OS map:

5 & 9

Terrain:

Various off road terrain & roads

Route:

This walk heads south from the Diamond in Ballycastle for 20 miles, finishing at Glenariff Forest Park. It is hoped that this walk will be extended to Waterfoot on the coast in the near future.

From the Diamond in the centre of Ballycastle, follow the road southwest to Fair Hill for approximately 300m. On reaching a layby area, turn right onto the line of the old railway passing under an old stone bridge.

Follow this unsurfaced lane, turn left climbing over a metal stile into Ballycastle Forest and continue on the forest track for another 200m until the track turns sharply to the left. Continue along this forest track climbing steeply uphill towards Ballyveely.

Although within the forest, the road is well surfaced with tarmac. Take the second left and at the next T-junction turn right. (2nd on the right). Follow this for another 300m approx. until reaching a junction. Turn left downhill, exiting the forest onto the Drumavoley Rd (Ballycastle - Armoy).

Turn right (towards Armoy) and follow this quiet country road for 3-4 miles along the Glenshesk valley, offering views of the Glenshesk River, Knocklayd Mountain and Coolaveely Wood on the opposite side of the valley.

On reaching the main A44 cross over the road at Breen Bridge and enter Breen Forest and Wood.

Follow the forest track steeply uphill for several miles through Breen Oakwood National Nature Reserve passing near to the summit of Bohilbreaga.

Staying on the forest track as it begins to go downhill, look out for a waymarker pointing to the left down a break in the treeline.

Track sharp left along this grassy track that is often boggy in places. From here the route is very well signed with yellow arrows in a blue circle. Follow these waymarkers along the forest boundary, heading downhill through the trees, to the Glenshesk River.

Cross over this large bridge and track right along the newly constructed vehicle track.

Look out for MacQuillans Grave Stone - tradition holds that this is the spot where a chief of MacQuillans fell after the Battle of Orra, which took place further into the mountains. It has a primitive drawing on the south face of a human figure from the waist up. The stone is not clearly visible from the Moyle Way and is worth searching for.

Please note - you are now in an area that is actively managed for game birds. Shooting takes place on a regular basis from August to January. Please keep dogs on a lead at all times.

Continue along this wide stony track looking out for pheasant and partridge. On reaching a junction the main track heads left. Take the track heading downhill to the right crossing over the Altahullin Burn using a concrete bridge.

The route then takes a steep turn up Altahullin Gorge. Follow the waymarkers uphill to a fence line, marking the forest boundary. Follow the waymarkers left along the boundary until a stile leads into the forest.

Follow this large grassy clearing in the trees until it begins to narrow. Look out for a waymarker on the opposite bank of the stream. Cross over and head up the bank tracking left at the top until reaching a wide forest track.

Follow the waymarkers along the forest track until reaching the Altarichard Road and Orra Beg. Track left and walk along the road for about 300m.

Turn right, a forest road leads up a steep ascent of Slieveanorra (topped by a transmitter station). From the summit, follow the forest road downhill for approximately 100m looking out for a waymarker pointing off road to the left.

Follow this marker and continue downhill along this narrow path, which soon becomes a wide turf extraction track. This section is over open country and is often wet and boggy in places.

After walking almost 2kms and having crossed 2 wooden bridges (made of timber posts), you will reach Slieveanorra Forest. Turn left onto a forest track and then right through the forest before reaching the Glendun Road.

Turn right onto the Glendun Road and walk for almost 1km, turn left onto open land, cross the footbridge and continue across open moorland upwards towards Trostan Mountain.

Again, note that there is no formal track and as the ground is boggy and uneven, it is important to follow the waymarkers. There are plenty of these heading up the hill.

The walk does not go to the top of the mountain but skirts around the side. Continue to a fence line and cross at a suitable place following the signs downhill towards Glenariff Forest.

On reaching a firebreak go into the forest keeping to the left had side of the small stream. This section only has occasional signs so it is important to keep to the small, often overgrown and boggy path. This path leads through the rough Essathothan Glen winding through the trees, crossing back and forth over the stream. On reaching a main forest road cross over and head downhill to pass the impressive waterfalls.

The route then crosses the B14 at Essathothan Bridge where it rejoins the forest and joins the track leading to the A43 Glenariff Road. After crossing this road, the forest road leads to the end of the walk at Glenariff Forest Park.

The café in Glenariff Forest Park is open seasonally; an option is to continue to the waterfalls where there is a nearby restaurant.

Alternatively you may wish to extend your walk to the coast and the village of Glenariff/ Waterfoot where there is a range of facilities.

Facilities:

Car parks along the route. Refreshments at Ballycastle and Glenariff Forest Park (seasonal).

Accessible terrain:

A mixture of road walking and off road unsurfaced tracks and forest paths.

Publication:

Moyle Way

Publication availability:

Ballycastle Tourist Information Centre 028 2076 2024 and CAAN - 028 9030 3930

This publication is also available for order on this website.

Accessibility information:

Ballycastle can be reached via the A44.

The Diamond, where the walk begins, is the main square in the town. Parking is available here.

The main bus route is the Antrim Coaster Service No. 252 (seasonal).