Moyle Way

Distance:

26 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

OS map:

5 & 9

Terrain:

Various off road terrain & roads

Route:

This walk heads south from the Diamond in Ballycastle for 26 miles, finishing at Waterfoot village on the coast.

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.

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. On reaching the Altirichard Road, 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. Continue through the forest for 500m, then turn left onto a forest track for 200m and then right through the forest to reach 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.

Arriving at a 'u' shaped inlet of trees, proceed to a firebreak to go into the forest and follow a 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. Continue in an easterly direction for 500m to join a forest road. Track right on this road for 700m to meet a fork junction, take the right fork to join the A43 Glenariff Road. After crossing this road, the forest road leads to the car park and Visitors Centre in Glenariff Forest Park. Follow the path from the car park toward the visitors centre, tracking off left downhill before reaching the visitors centre. The café in the Visitors Centre is open seasonally. On reaching the tree line, continue straight into the forest. After 100m, track left for 300m to zig zag downslope. Continue along the path for 600m and track left to cross the Glenariff River. Pass through the Manor Lodge car park and follow the Glen Road for 1km, passing over the Glenariff River at Callisnagh Bridge. Continue along the Glen Road for 2km. Bear left to join a lane following the Altmore Burn, which joins the Glenariff River after 400m. Continue along the edge of the Glenariff River for 2.5km. Leave the river to the right after a row of houses and follow Carneill Park to the left, the Moyle Way ends 200m later at Main Street, Waterfoot. There is a range of facilities available here.

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 3930This publication is also available for order on this website.

Getting to the start by public transport:

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).