Downhill Beach and Mussenden Temple Walk
County Londonderry
The Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple Walk runs across the National Trust cliff top estate from the Bishop's Gate down through the ruined Downhill House to Mussenden Temple, poised on the edge of a 36 metre basalt cliff above the Atlantic, before dropping to Downhill Beach via the Black Glen path. It is a dog friendly coastal route with some of the most photogenic views on the north coast.
Dogs are welcome on a lead on the demesne and can run off the lead on Downhill Beach outside the seasonal bird protection zone near the Bann estuary. Surfaces are compacted gravel estate paths, short grass, stone steps and firm beach sand. Parking is available at Bishop's Gate, Lion's Gate and the Downhill Beach slipway car park, with toilets and a cafe in Castlerock village.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.5 km (3.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Toilets and shop at Bishop's Gate seasonally, cafes and public toilets in Castlerock village.
- Parking
- Free at Bishop's Gate and Lion's Gate car parks, paid at the Downhill Beach slipway in peak season.
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