The enigmatic basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway undoubtedly stand as the smoky gem of the Causeway Coastal Route – but they are just one sparkler in a lustrous crown of spectacular, scenic-studded coastline.

The road traverses bridges, arches and hairpin turns, passing sheer cliff coves, deserted white strands and otherworldly rock formations. These rocks have wrecked ships; those cliffs nurture rare fauna; the beaches stretch for miles and those rugged turns are by ancient volcanic design.

This route is a lesson in history, heritage, geology and biology, but above all, in the astounding power of nature’s creation. Stretching between the two spirited cities of Belfast and Derry~Londonderry, it’s not a great distance, but it’s a journey to be savoured.

In fact, there are so many fantastical landscapes along this Northern Ireland route that several places have been chosen as filming locations for the smash-hit HBO series Game of Thrones. 

Now for the gem of this serrated coastline, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Giant’s Causeway – 40,000 basalt columns, formed by molten lava cooled into hexagonal dark stone steps. The Causeway legend claims the great Celtic warrior Finn MacCool built the basalt highway to Scotland to challenge a rival giant, Benandonner, to battle. But Finn’s first glimpse of the enormous Scot sent him scurrying back to Ireland, where his quick-witted wife disguised him as a child. Benandonner arrives, sees the hulking baby, reasons ‘If that’s the kid, I don’t want to meet the father’ and turns tail back to Scotland, ripping up the highway behind him.

However, scientists believe that the Giant’s Causeway was formed by an ancient volcanic eruption 60 million years ago. Either way, this haphazard grouping of columns is nothing short of outstanding. There’s also a fantastic visitor center for you to discover more, and maybe make your own mind up as to where the Causeway came from.