Giant's Causeway

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Giant'S Causeway And Causeway Coast (1986). About 40,000 Interlocking Basalt Columns, Mostly Hexagonal, Formed By Volcanic Activity Some 60 Million Years Ago And Woven Into The Legend Of The Giant Finn McCool. Northern Ireland'S Best Known Sight, On A Cliff Path Along The North Coast · Bushmills, Northern Ireland

The Giant's Causeway is a headland of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns on the Causeway Coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and the country's only UNESCO World Heritage natural site. The columns, mostly hexagonal, formed about 60 million years ago when lava cooled and cracked, and the stepping-stone tops run down into the sea. Legend says the giant Finn McCool built a path to Scotland to fight a rival, and matching columns do appear at Staffa across the water. The Red and Blue Trails lead along the cliffs, and the Shepherd's Steps climb to the top. Nearby are Bushmills Distillery, Carrick-a-Rede and Dunluce Castle, and several Game of Thrones locations. It is about 90 km, a 1.5 hour drive, from Belfast. It is busiest at midday with coach tours, the rocks are slippery when wet, and rogue waves have swept people off the lower stones, so keep well back from the sea and watch the waves, not your camera.

Causeway Coast, near Bushmills in County Antrim, about 90 km north of Belfast, Bushmills, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

The stones and coast path are outdoors and the site is open all day, every day, though the visitor centre keeps shorter, set hours, commonly from morning to early evening and closing earlier in winter. The visitor centre, car park and shuttle bus are run by the National Trust and charge; to my understanding the coast path to the stones can be walked free if you avoid the centre and car park, but this has been disputed over the years, so confirm before you arrive. Parts of the cliff trails close after landslips or in storms, and nothing is open on Christmas Day in most years. Confirm hours, closures and what is free close to your date.

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