Days Out NI
Coastal walk Waterfoot

Glenariff Coastal Walk

A free, flat shoreline stroll along Red Bay with a beach, two play parks and a cafe.

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Open accessWalk it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
WaterfootCoastal walk
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An hourHow long
1.8 milesDistance
FreeCost
Buggy okBest for
WelcomeDogs

Glenariff Coastal Walk — A free, flat shoreline stroll along Red Bay with a beach, two play parks and a cafe.

  • Distance: Roughly 1.8 miles, there and back.
  • How long: About an hour walking, longer with the play parks and beach.
  • Terrain: Mown grass path, beach and boardwalk; can be muddy after rain.
  • Dogs: Welcome but must be kept under control, especially near grazing cattle.
  • With kids: No cliff edges or steep drops on this route; the beach section is tide-dependent, so check tides before you go.
  • Parking: Free car park in Waterfoot village, off Main Street at the start.
Plan your visit

An easy 1.8 miles along the shore

The route is about 1.8 miles in total and graded easy, with relatively flat ground throughout. Leaving the car park you take the grass path, with views across Red Bay toward Red Bay Castle on the headland just north of Glenariff. You then drop onto the beach and follow the shore past the caravan park to an opening in the dunes, where a boardwalk carries you on past the grassland. The beach section depends on the tide, so check it before you set off. It is a there-and-back walk you can shorten at any point, which suits younger legs.

Free Free car park 1.8 mile route Beach Two play parks Easy and flat
Good to know before you go:

The Glens of Antrim coast hosts seasonal guided walks, ranger-led events and summer festivals through the year, and Waterfoot itself is known for its Glens festival. Check what is on locally before you travel, as dates change each season.

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 park in Waterfoot village, off Main Street at the start
Distance
Roughly 1.8 miles, there and back
How long to allow
About an hour walking, longer with the play parks and beach
Difficulty
Easy, mostly flat
Terrain
Mown grass path, beach and boardwalk; can be muddy after rain
Safety with kids
No cliff edges or steep drops on this route; the beach section is tide-dependent, so check tides before you go
Dogs
Welcome but must be kept under control, especially near grazing cattle
Buggy-friendly
Part grass, beach and boardwalk with a kissing gate, so not fully buggy-friendly; check before relying on wheels
Toilets / food nearby
Toilets with disabled access and a seasonal cafe near the play park
Address
Waterfoot Beach Walk, Main Street, Waterfoot, Co. Antrim, BT44 0RB
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
How far is the walk?
Roughly 1.8 miles, there and back
How long should I allow?
About an hour walking, longer with the play parks and beach
Can I bring the dog?
Welcome but must be kept under control, especially near grazing cattle
Is it buggy-friendly?
Part grass, beach and boardwalk with a kissing gate, so not fully buggy-friendly; check before relying on wheels
Getting there

Glenariff Coastal Walk is at Waterfoot Beach Walk, Main Street, Waterfoot, Co. Antrim, BT44 0RB. Free car park in Waterfoot village, off Main Street at the start. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

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

About this stretch of coast

Red Bay takes its name from the red sandstone that colours the cliffs and arches at this part of the Antrim coast. Waterfoot sits at the mouth of Glenariff, the largest and best known of the nine Glens of Antrim, long called the Queen of the Glens.

Red Bay Castle once stood on the headland just north of the village, a stronghold linked to the MacDonnell family who held much of this coast. The bay was also a working shore, with the small harbour serving local trade along the Glens.

Today the grass path runs through a conservation area of wildflower meadow and species-rich grassland, grazed by cattle in winter. In summer you can spot yellow-rattle and small copper butterflies among the dunes and meadows.