Giant’s causeway is the most visited and a natural attraction from Northern Ireland. It is located at the county Antrim. This place is developed by the volcanic eruption about 50 millions year back. This area is comprises of approximately 40 thousands of basalt hexagonal columns. These hexagonal shapes were formed when the volcanic lava cooled. This kind of natural places are not unique but very rare. That’s why lot of people use to travel here.
Giant’s causeway is a world heritage site and most of the part is now own by the National trust. That’s why one needs to pay an entry fee while visiting this rare natural phenomena. We’ve gone there after visiting the Portcoon Jetty which is at the opposite direction from the gate. That’s why it took us a while to go there. And by that time several day trip buses were arrived with tourists. So the place was a bit of crowded. But it was another fun to see the activities of different people.
The basalt columns from the Giant’s causeway are mostly hexagonal shaped. Although there are lot of other shapes as well. It was really a fun to hopping from one to another. Also sitting over there for a while and watching other people was exciting as well. At one place, it looked like that the stair like basalt columns came from the cliff and submerged in water directly. It is very hard to believe that it was naturally built.
There is a myth or legend remains about this Giant’s causeway. As per the legend it is the fight between the two giants. One is from Ireland named Finn MacCool and other one is from the Scotland named Benandonner. More information about the fight can be found in Wikipedia. Although people most of the tourists do not believe about this myth. But they still try to sense the presence of the Giants around the place.
We’ve spent around 3 hours around the Gian’t causeway. It was the low tide when we were there. Not sure how it’d look like during high tide and plenty of water splashing over the basalt columns. It was a bit of rainy for a while as well. We’ve done some small trekking around to explore the area. There are some red colored soil (or nearly rocks) which looks like a flame in green. Also the cliffs around are also beautiful.
How to go:
From Bushmills town you can use the bus 402 to reach at Giant’s causeway. It takes round 5-10 minutes to reach there. Also, during the summer a tourist can use the steam shuttle train that runs between Bushmills and the Giant’s causeway. It is a bit of costly but antique. As I was there during autumn that’s why I’ve missed this opportunity.
Entry fee:
Yes, you have to pay for it. When you enter you don’t need to pay the fare that time. Tickets are only checked when you are coming back after your visit. So if you have a plan to do a Giant’s causeway coastal route trekking after entering then you might not have to pay as you’d exit through different area. Usually the ticket price is around 10 pound per person. There is a debate regarding the ticketing system. I am with the ticketing system as it helps the National trust to get few money for restoring this site along with other tourists attractions.
Where to stay:
The Causeway hotel is very near and suitable for the tourists visiting the Giant’s causeway. Also there are plenty of hotels from Bushmills as well.
If you want to take your photo with no crowd or less crowd then you have to be patient for a while. Cause the tourists use to come and go very frequently. They do not stay there for long. This would allow you to take your desired photo. Also if you go there in early morning then there is a fair chance to beat the crowd in Giant’ causeway.
This article is the continuation after the Portcoon Jetty. We’ve gone for a Giant’s causeway coastal walk from here.
Giant’s causeway,
County Antrim,
Northern Ireland.
GPS coordinate (55°14’24.2″N, 6°30’42.2″W).
List of hotels from Bushmills
This article has written by Lonely Traveler,
for the blog http://alonelytraveler.com/
Monday, 30 October 2017
