Days Out NI
Greenway & cycle trail Ballycastle

Moyle Way

A free, strenuous two-day hill walk through the high Glens of Antrim.

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Open accessRide it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
BallycastleGreenway & cycle trail
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25kmDistance
Two days for the full route; a half-day for an easier forest section near BallycastleHow long
FreeCost
GravelSurface
Bikes bestBest for

Moyle Way — A free, strenuous two-day hill walk through the high Glens of Antrim.

  • Distance: About 25km / 15.6 miles, usually walked over two days.
  • Surface: Forest tracks, gravel, rough moor and bog, plus some quiet road.
  • Gradient: Very hilly and strenuous — passes high ground near Trostan (550m) and Slievenorra (508m).
  • Traffic-free: Mostly off-road, but includes some quiet road sections; this is a hill walk, not a segregated greenway.
  • Bike hire: None — the route is unsuitable for cycling.
  • Buggy / scooter: No — rough, boggy mountain terrain.
Plan your visit

The route: forest, open moor and Antrim's highest tops

The Moyle Way runs about 25km (roughly 15.6 miles) from The Diamond in Ballycastle to the main street in Waterfoot, and most people split it over two days. The surface is a real mix: hard forest tracks, gravel paths, rough tussock grass, open boggy moorland and short stretches of quiet road. There is steady, sustained climbing throughout, taking you past Slievenorra at 508m and over high ground near Trostan, Antrim's highest summit at 550m. The reward is big, wild Glens scenery, ending among the woodland and waterfalls of Glenariff Forest Park. It is well signposted, but the high sections can be wet and exposed, so you need navigation skills if the weather closes in.

Free access Waymarked About 25km Two-day hill walk Forest, moor & mountain Not for bikes
Good to know before you go:

Greenways and trails across NI host seasonal sportives, family cycle days and ranger-led walks; check listings for dates.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🚲Bikes (or hire on the day)Check whether you bring your own or can hire at the start.
  • 🪖Helmets for everyoneEspecially the kids — a comfy helmet makes the whole spin better.
  • 💧Water and snacksNot every route has a café on it, so pack a little something.
  • 🧥A light layerYou warm up cycling but cool down at stops — easy to peel on and off.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free to walk (Glenariff Forest Park has a separate car parking charge)
Start / parking
The Diamond, Ballycastle; further parking at Orra Beg and Glenariff Forest Park
Distance
About 25km / 15.6 miles, usually walked over two days
Surface
Forest tracks, gravel, rough moor and bog, plus some quiet road
Gradient
Very hilly and strenuous — passes high ground near Trostan (550m) and Slievenorra (508m)
Traffic-free?
Mostly off-road, but includes some quiet road sections; this is a hill walk, not a segregated greenway
Bike hire
None — the route is unsuitable for cycling
Buggy / scooter friendly
No — rough, boggy mountain terrain
Toilets / food
Cafes, shops and accessible toilets in Ballycastle and seasonally at Glenariff Forest Park; nothing along the route
How long to allow
Two days for the full route; a half-day for an easier forest section near Ballycastle
Address
The Diamond, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, BT54 6AS
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free to walk (Glenariff Forest Park has a separate car parking charge)
How long is the route?
About 25km / 15.6 miles, usually walked over two days
Is it traffic-free?
Mostly off-road, but includes some quiet road sections; this is a hill walk, not a segregated greenway
Can I hire a bike?
None — the route is unsuitable for cycling
Is it buggy and scooter friendly?
No — rough, boggy mountain terrain
Getting there

Moyle Way starts at The Diamond, Ballycastle; further parking at Orra Beg and Glenariff Forest Park. Tap below for directions to the start.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around BallycastleSee what else is close by More greenways & trails across NITraffic-free routes to walk and cycle
The story

About this trail

The Moyle Way runs through the heart of the Glens of Antrim, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty rich in geology, wildlife, history and folklore. From its start on the coast at Ballycastle it winds past ancient monuments and across rivers and high mountain tops before reaching Glenariff Forest Park and the coastal village of Waterfoot.

The high ground it crosses carries its own history. The route passes near the site of the Battle of Orra, fought in 1559, and traverses upland once worked for iron ore around Trostan in the late 1800s.

Today the Way is maintained as a waymarked long-distance walking route and links into the wider Ulster Way network, making it a well-known challenge for experienced hill walkers exploring the northern Glens.