I have been in Northern Ireland for a few days and have just arrived in Ballycastle, a coastal village in Antrim County. I am here to realize a project that I have been wanting to do for some time: to spend a few days on a hiking trail.
Last year, I fell in love with long-distance hiking trails after hiking more than 150 kilometres on the Rideau Trail in Eastern Ontario. Hiking the Rideau Trail became my weekend project, and every time I had a day off, I would head towards the trail so that I could add a few more miles to my log.
But since I only spent days here and there on the Rideau Trail, the idea of hiking for several days on a long-distance trail began to form in my mind. I dreamed of the Tour du Mont Blanc, a 170-kilometre trail in the Alps, and of the West Highlands Way, a 153-kilometre trail in Scotland.
I finally chose to hike the simpler Causeway Coast Way. First, because the trail is a little shorter (55 km), in a not very remote place (the trail crosses several villages) and with a rather negligible elevation. The Causeway Coast Way is a good exercise for novice hikers like me.
The Causeway Coast Way follows the coast from Ballycastle to Portstewart. It passes by the famous Giant’s Causeway (recognized by the World Heritage of UNESCO), but also by ruins of castles, suspension bridges, pastures and fishing villages. It is possible to walk the trail in two days, but I give myself three days to do it, because I want to take my time and enjoy the adventure.
I’m leaving alone with my backpack and my hiking boots. I will try to make a daily summary of this adventure on the blog. Portstewart, I’m coming!
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