Waterfoot between the beach and walking trails

Waterfoot Beach is approximately 1 km long and consists entirely of sand. The Glenariff River Walk starts in Waterfoot and runs for 3 km through Glenariff Glen. This gives you two distinct focuses to consider when planning your trip: a beach where you can walk and paddle, and a linear trail along the river. If you’re looking for hotels in Waterfoot, you can first consider whether the coast or walking will shape your stay.

Glenariff lies in the heart of the Nine Glens of Antrim, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The valley is U-shaped, with rocky slopes rising to wild moorland. This landscape shapes the walking options: alongside the riverside trail, there are paths through a river gorge and a challenging two-day hike.

Walking in Glenariff

Glenariff Forest Park covers more than 1,000 hectares, including planted woodland, lakes, areas for outdoor recreation and nature conservation areas. The waymarked Glenariff Nature Reserve Waterfalls Walk passes through a scenic river gorge. Paths are cut into the rocks, while elevated boardwalks offer views of the waterfalls. The Waterfalls Walk has a car park, toilets, a visitor centre and seasonal restaurants. Facilities may change; before your visit, check the current status of seasonal services in particular.

The linear, 3 km-long Glenariff River Walk starts in Waterfoot and follows the Glenariff River through Glenariff Glen. You can extend it via Glen Road to reach the Waterfall Walks in Glenariff Forest Park. The Moyle Way is a different kind of walk: it is challenging, takes two days and ends in Glenariff Forest Park. Along the way, it leads to the slopes of Trostan, whose summit, at 550 m, is the highest in Antrim. For planning purposes, this difference matters: a linear trail of a stated length versus a challenging two-day hike.

Beach, nature and planning your visit

At Waterfoot Beach, you can walk or paddle. The Waterfoot Beach Walk passes through wildflower meadows and includes two playgrounds. There are also plenty of picnic spots and a seasonal café. If the café is important to your plans, bear in mind that it operates seasonally and check the latest information before your visit.

The natural environment of Glenariff Forest also offers its own inspiration for planning an outing. The damp conditions in Glenariff Nature Reserve are ideal for ferns, mosses and liverworts. Several rare species grow in the shade of the trees and beneath the spray of the waterfalls. Red squirrels, hen harriers and Irish hares also live in Glenariff Forest. These details describe different aspects of the area: woodland and waterfalls, damp habitats and the wildlife that lives there.

Getting to Glenariff Forest

Glenariff Forest can be reached by car, on foot or by bicycle via the A43 Glenariff Road. Forestry work may affect access, so check the current situation before setting out. Ulsterbus service 150 to and from Ballymena stops at the entrance to Glenariff Forest Park from Monday to Saturday. As timetables and operating days may change, check the timetable for your travel day.

When choosing your accommodation, you can use your preferred focus as a starting point: the beach and a walk at Waterfoot Beach, the River Walk starting in Waterfoot, or longer walks in Glenariff. This lets you connect your search for a hotel in Waterfoot with your travel plans without combining the different routes into a single tour.

Discover more destinations: Ballintoy, Bushmills, Ballycastle

Return to the main travel overview: Moyle.