Days Out NI
Coastal walk Portstewart

Portstewart Cliff Path & Strand

A clifftop path and a two-mile beach, free to walk, on one stretch of the Causeway Coast.

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Open accessWalk it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
PortstewartCoastal walk
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An hourHow long
2 miles each wayDistance
FreeCost
All agesBest for
On leadsDogs

Portstewart Cliff Path & Strand — A clifftop path and a two-mile beach, free to walk, on one stretch of the Causeway Coast.

  • Distance: Cliff path roughly 2 miles each way; beach is two miles of sand. Cliff-and-beach combined loop about 4 miles.
  • How long: Around an hour each way on the cliff path; a half-day if you add the beach.
  • Terrain: Surfaced promenade, dust and grass paths, steps and gates on the cliff section; soft sand and dune paths on the Strand.
  • Dogs: Welcome on a lead on the cliff path. On the Strand, on leads between posts one and ten, off-lead beyond post ten. Confirm seasonal rules.
  • With kids: Exposed cliff edges in places and golf courses alongside. Keep children close near drops; mind tides on the beach.
  • Parking: Park around Portstewart promenade for the cliff path; paid National Trust car park at Portstewart Strand (free for members and Blue Badge holders).
Plan your visit

Cliff path one way, beach back: a 4-mile loop

Start on Portstewart promenade and follow the clifftop path south. You pass the Dominican College perched on the cliff edge, the Portnahapple bathing pool and a sculpture to songwriter Jimmy Kennedy, with the Atlantic and the Donegal coast laid out below. It is roughly 2 miles each way, gently undulating with several flights of steps and a few narrow gates, so allow around an hour each way at a steady pace. At the far end you reach Portstewart Strand, where you can walk the two miles of beach and the dune paths before turning back. Combine the cliff out and the beach back for a walk of around 4 miles.

Free to walk Sea views to Donegal 2-mile cliff path Two-mile sandy beach Steps in places Dogs on leads
Good to know before you go:

This stretch of the Causeway Coast hosts seasonal guided walks, National Trust ranger events and dune wildlife activities through the year, especially over summer at Portstewart Strand. Check ahead for what is running when you visit.

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 to walk. Strand car park charged for non-members (around £4.50 when last listed; check current rate).
Parking
Park around Portstewart promenade for the cliff path; paid National Trust car park at Portstewart Strand (free for members and Blue Badge holders).
Distance
Cliff path roughly 2 miles each way; beach is two miles of sand. Cliff-and-beach combined loop about 4 miles.
How long to allow
Around an hour each way on the cliff path; a half-day if you add the beach.
Difficulty
Moderate. Gently undulating clifftop with several flights of steps and narrow gates.
Terrain
Surfaced promenade, dust and grass paths, steps and gates on the cliff section; soft sand and dune paths on the Strand.
Safety with kids
Exposed cliff edges in places and golf courses alongside. Keep children close near drops; mind tides on the beach.
Dogs
Welcome on a lead on the cliff path. On the Strand, on leads between posts one and ten, off-lead beyond post ten. Confirm seasonal rules.
Buggy-friendly
No. Steps, gates and soft sand make the route unsuitable for buggies.
Toilets / food nearby
Toilets and cafes in Portstewart town; visitor centre toilets and Harry's Shack at the Strand.
Address
Cliff path starts at Portstewart promenade, Portstewart. Portstewart Strand: 118 Strand Road, Portstewart BT55 7PG.
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free to walk. Strand car park charged for non-members (around £4.50 when last listed; check current rate).
How far is the walk?
Cliff path roughly 2 miles each way; beach is two miles of sand. Cliff-and-beach combined loop about 4 miles.
How long should I allow?
Around an hour each way on the cliff path; a half-day if you add the beach.
Can I bring the dog?
Welcome on a lead on the cliff path. On the Strand, on leads between posts one and ten, off-lead beyond post ten. Confirm seasonal rules.
Is it buggy-friendly?
No. Steps, gates and soft sand make the route unsuitable for buggies.
Getting there

Portstewart Cliff Path & Strand is at Cliff path starts at Portstewart promenade, Portstewart. Portstewart Strand: 118 Strand Road, Portstewart BT55 7PG.. Park around Portstewart promenade for the cliff path; paid National Trust car park at Portstewart Strand (free for members and Blue Badge holders). Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

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

About this stretch of coast

The cliff path is part of the Causeway Coast Way and the longer Port Path, a scenic clifftop route linking Portstewart and Portrush. It passes the Dominican College, established in 1917 in O'Hara's Castle, a house built in 1834 by the Montagu family on a cliff above the Atlantic, with views over the promenade and across to the Donegal hills.

Portstewart Strand is a two-mile beach owned and cared for by the National Trust, backed by one of the largest dune systems in Northern Ireland. The dunes are a nature reserve, home to rare orchids and wildflowers, and the path runs on towards the River Bann estuary, a good spot for birdwatching.

Look out too for the sculpture honouring songwriter Jimmy Kennedy, who had Portstewart connections, and the old Portnahapple sea pool, a natural rock bathing spot still used by hardy swimmers.