Where myth flows through wooded glens and hills open to the sea.
The Glens of Antrim offer a quieter, more intimate kind of landscape — a patchwork of nine glacier-carved valleys stretching inland from the Causeway Coast. Each glen has its own character, yet all are united by lush woodland, tumbling rivers, coastal views, and the living folklore of Northern Ireland’s north. Together they form a deeply rewarding setting for walking holidays shaped by water, wood, and slow-moving hills.
Here, self-guided walking holidays unfold on forest paths beside waterfalls, along quiet country lanes linking stone-built villages, and on open hills with long sea-to-sky vistas. The Glens also support a gentle range of outdoor adventures, from river valley exploration and upland hiking to coastal wandering and wildlife watching. Across the glens and along the nearby coast, you’ll find a strong network of welcoming places to stay, from village guesthouses and family-run inns to rural retreats tucked into the valleys. Quiet lanes and lightly trafficked coastal roads also lend themselves naturally to relaxed cycling holidays, especially between Cushendall, Cushendun, Glenarm, and the surrounding glens.
The pace here is unhurried and deeply atmospheric — this is walking that invites presence, reflection, and connection with nature in one of Northern Ireland’s most quietly beautiful landscapes.
Known as the “Queen of the Glens,” Glenariff is home to some of the most scenic and accessible walking routes in the region. The famous Waterfall Walkway loops past dramatic cascades, through steep-sided woodland and fern-lined ravines.
A classic coastal-and-inland route linking two of the glens’ most characterful villages. Expect quiet lanes, wide beach views, and optional detours into Glenaan and Glendun for deeper valley exploration.
High upland trails with wide-ranging views across the Glens of Antrim and, on clear days, across the North Channel to Scotland. Remote, open, and atmospheric — ideal for walkers seeking a wilder, crowd-free route.
A peaceful lowland woodland walk near the historic village of Glenarm. Expect riverside paths, old lime kilns, and spring bluebell displays beneath mature woodland canopy.
Perfect for travellers seeking a slower, more personal experience, the Glens of Antrim offer walking shaped by landscape, legend, and a profound sense of belonging. This is not walking to conquer — it is walking to connect.
You can walk forest trails, explore waterfalls in Glenariff, hike upland routes such as Orra Mountain, follow quiet coastal lanes between Cushendall and Cushendun, and enjoy wildlife watching across woodland and shoreline.
Yes. The Glens are ideal for self-guided walking holidays, offering a wide variety of routes from gentle woodland paths to open hill walking with coastal views.
Absolutely. Alongside walking, you can enjoy scenic cycling, heritage village exploration, gentle hill routes, photography, and nature watching in some of Northern Ireland’s quietest landscapes.
Late spring to early autumn offers the best balance of weather, colour, and daylight. Autumn is especially atmospheric with rich woodland tones, while winter is quieter and wilder.
Yes. Self-guided walking holidays are available, often including accommodation, route notes, luggage transfers, and flexible itineraries between villages and valleys.