Days Out NI
Coastal walk Cushendun

Cushendun to Torr Head Coastal Walk

A wild clifftop stretch of the Ulster Way with Scotland on the horizon.

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Open accessWalk it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
CushendunCoastal walk
Get directions
3 hoursHow long
6 miles each wayDistance
FreeCost
Buggy okBest for
On leadsDogs

Cushendun to Torr Head Coastal Walk — A wild clifftop stretch of the Ulster Way with Scotland on the horizon.

  • Distance: Roughly 6 miles each way from Cushendun to Torr Head; shorten as you like.
  • How long: About 2.5 to 3 hours each way for the full route, or an hour or two for a there-and-back taster.
  • Terrain: Mostly quiet single-track tarmac lane with some rough grassy and exposed sections.
  • Dogs: Welcome, but keep on a lead near the road, cliff edges and grazing sheep.
  • With kids: High, exposed clifftops with big drops and no barriers in places; keep children close and away from edges, and watch for cars on the narrow road.
  • Parking: Free car parks in Cushendun village (Corner House and Glenmona House); spaces limited.
Plan your visit

The route and the big views

From Cushendun the Ulster Way heads north on the Torr Road, a narrow lane that rises and dips along the clifftops for about 6 miles to Torr Head. It is a serious roller-coaster of climbs and descents, but every high point opens up huge sea views across to the Mull of Kintyre and the Scottish coast. Along the way you pass the access lanes for Fair Head and beautiful Murlough Bay, both worth a detour if you have the legs. At Torr Head you reach a rugged headland topped by a ruined coastguard station, one of the closest points to Scotland anywhere in Ireland. Many families walk part of the way and turn back rather than tackle the full out-and-back.

Free Free car parks Scotland views Torr Head lookout Roughly 6 miles Steep and exposed
Good to know before you go:

This part of the Causeway Coast and Glens hosts seasonal guided walks, ranger-led events and coastal festivals through the year, especially over the summer. Check what is on before you travel.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 👟Good shoes or bootsShore paths can be rocky, uneven and a little muddy after rain.
  • 🧥A coat or windproofThe coast is breezy — a fresh sea wind is half the fun of it.
  • 💧Water and a snackThere is rarely a shop right on the path, so pack a little something.
  • 🔭Binoculars or a cameraFor the seabirds, the seals and the big views across the water.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free
Parking
Free car parks in Cushendun village (Corner House and Glenmona House); spaces limited
Distance
Roughly 6 miles each way from Cushendun to Torr Head; shorten as you like
How long to allow
About 2.5 to 3 hours each way for the full route, or an hour or two for a there-and-back taster
Difficulty
Hard for the full route: long, with repeated steep climbs and descents
Terrain
Mostly quiet single-track tarmac lane with some rough grassy and exposed sections
Safety with kids
High, exposed clifftops with big drops and no barriers in places; keep children close and away from edges, and watch for cars on the narrow road
Dogs
Welcome, but keep on a lead near the road, cliff edges and grazing sheep
Buggy-friendly
No, the steep gradients and rough sections are not suitable for a buggy
Toilets / food nearby
Cafes and pub in Cushendun (Corner House, Village Tearooms, Mary McBride's); National Trust lists no public toilets at the village, so go before you set off
Address
Start at Cushendun, County Antrim, BT44 0PH; route follows the Torr Road north to Torr Head
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
How far is the walk?
Roughly 6 miles each way from Cushendun to Torr Head; shorten as you like
How long should I allow?
About 2.5 to 3 hours each way for the full route, or an hour or two for a there-and-back taster
Can I bring the dog?
Welcome, but keep on a lead near the road, cliff edges and grazing sheep
Is it buggy-friendly?
No, the steep gradients and rough sections are not suitable for a buggy
Getting there

Cushendun to Torr Head Coastal Walk is at Start at Cushendun, County Antrim, BT44 0PH; route follows the Torr Road north to Torr Head. Free car parks in Cushendun village (Corner House and Glenmona House); spaces limited. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around CushendunSee what else is close by More coastal walks across NIBeaches, cliffs, harbours and headlands
The story

About this stretch of coast

The Torr Road carries both the Ulster Way and the International Appalachian Trail along one of the most dramatic headlands in Northern Ireland. Torr Head juts out toward Scotland, with the Mull of Kintyre only about 12 miles across the North Channel, and on a clear day you can pick out individual fields on the far side.

Cushendun itself is a conservation village largely owned by the National Trust since 1954, sitting where the River Dun meets the sea at the foot of Glendun. The village was laid out in a Cornish style by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1912, with his whitewashed Maud's Cottages added in the 1920s.

The coast here is rich in wildlife. Seals and seabirds work the waters below the cliffs, and the woods around Cushendun are one of the better places in Northern Ireland to spot red squirrels.