Ballycastle to Murlough Bay Coastal Path
County Antrim
Starting on the high road above Ballycastle, this coastal path drops steeply towards Murlough Bay through ancient oak and rowan before levelling along the stony shore. It is a dog friendly route with plenty of room to roam away from road traffic, though the return pull back to the car is a proper lung stretcher.
Dogs can stay on a long lead most of the way, but sheep graze the fields immediately above the bay so tighten up near the descent. The shore itself is all shingle and boulders, so booties help for paw sensitive dogs, and there is a freshwater stream near the ruined cottages for a drink. Parking is a small gravel pull in on the Murlough Bay Road with no toilets or cafe on site, and Ballycastle sits 5 miles north with full facilities.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.8 km (3.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on site, nearest facilities in Ballycastle village 5 miles away.
- Parking
- Small roadside gravel car park near Murlough Bay picnic area, around 10 spaces, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Ballycastle to Murlough Bay Coastal Path, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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What’s Nearby?
Walk0.9 mi awayFair Head Coastal Walk, Ballycastle
County Antrim
A dramatic Antrim headland walk with big cliff top views, but dog owners should note strict restrictions from working farmland.
Beach2.6 mi awayMurlough Bay Antrim
County Antrim
One of Antrim's most remote and dramatic bays below Fair Head's basalt columns, with historical connections to Roger Casement, year-round dog access and extraordinary views to Rathlin Island and Scotland.
Beach4.9 mi awayBallycastle Beach
County Antrim
A sandy beach in the shadow of the Ballycastle headland with Rathlin Island views and year-round access in this characterful north Antrim town.
Walk5.3 mi awayBallypatrick Forest Walk
County Antrim
A forest climb for a dog on a lead, rewarded with viewpoints over the Causeway Coast and a burial cairn nearly 4,000 years old.
Walk5.8 mi awayRathlin Island Coastal Walk
County Antrim
A quiet offshore coastal circuit on Rathlin Island with puffins, clifftops and a long dog friendly road walk from the harbour.
Beach8.3 mi awayCushendun Beach
County Antrim
A beautiful sandy cove at the National Trust village of Cushendun with Game of Thrones filming caves nearby, year-round dog access and one of the most photographed settings on the Antrim coast.