Guided relaxed walks at gems you really should know!
Watch our video below to find out more
So you’ve watched all and sundry take up ‘wild swimming’ and ‘wild camping’ while you have only ventured to your well known local parks or forests. You know you live in one of the most beautiful corners of the world but your confidence to walk unfamiliar, remote routes is limited. You’d love to venture to these gems, just not alone.
Welcome to ‘Day Danders’ – a series of stunningly beautiful walks from the Causeway Coast to the Mournes designed for locals who really want to explore these places in the company of others and an experience guide. Put on your good walking shoes/boots, pack a lunch and come join our relaxed guided walks.
We have four fantastic routes, designed for those of average fitness (you don’t need to be a marathon runner or anything close – just fit enough to enjoy a walk lasting 4-6 hours, with some elevation).
Each of the four routes are available to book EVERY weekend from August until the beginning of October. Places are limited, so book early.
The Causeway walk takes in one of the best stretches of coast that you can find. The route is from the beautiful Ballintoy Harbour all the way to the Giant’s Causeway. The Antrim Hills walk is a true hidden gem from the little known Sallagh Braes above Ballygally all the way to the village of Glenarm. The Mournes route is a rewarding route that is relatively gentle through a long valley with a short climb giving an incredible view of all of the high Mournes. Finally Fairhead and Murlough Bay is another lesser known gem near the town of Ballycastle.
You’ll not believe how many amazing scenic walking routes we have available. Dates for each walk are listed on the right of this page, further details for each route can be found below and if you click the ‘book now’ button below, you can book a spot on any walk.
Tour | Tour Dates |
Causeway Coast | Saturday 19th September 2021, Thursday 23rd September 2021, Thursday 21st October 2021, Saturday 31st October 2021, Thursday 18th November 2021 |
Antrim Hills | Thursday 2nd September 2021, Saturday 25th September 2021, Thursday 30th September 2021, Thursday 28th October 2021, Saturday 6th November 2021, Thursday 25th November 2021 |
Mourne Mountains | Sunday 5th September 2021, Thursday 16th September 2021, Thursday 14th October 2021, Sunday 17th October 2021, Thursday 11th November 2021, Sunday 28th November 2021 |
Fairhead and Murlough | Thursday 9th September 2021, Sunday 3rd October 2021, Thursday 7th October 2021, Thursday 4th November 2021, Sunday 14th November 2021 |
For more information on our Day Danders please choose an option below
- Causeway Coast - Ballintoy to the Stones
- Antrim Hills - Sallagh Braes to Glenarm
- Mourne Mountains - Banns Road Car park to Doan
- Fairhead and Murlough Bay near Ballycastle
Overview
This is a stunning coast walk of 9 miles (15k). Ballintoy Harbour has free parking and was featured in the Game of Thrones. The walk sets off along grassy paths before reaching a shingle bay and a short ‘rocky’ section to get onto the magnificent White Park Bay. A further longer rocky section will get us off the beach (we take our time) before we head around the inlets from Portbradden to Dunseverick Harbour and Castle. The final stretch is the UNESCO coastline and the high cliffs eventually leading to the Giant’s Causeway. You can depart the tour at the Giant’s Causeway stones and enjoy them at your own leisure. Views of the coast, Islay, Scotland, Rathlin and Donegal are usually available. Weather varies – so prepare for any eventuality. Walking time including a lunch stop is around 5 hours to the Giant’s Causeway – allow up to 6+ hours to include returning to your vehicle, having a pint etc.
Inclusions:
Guided walk with experienced guide.
Departure and Return:
Tours depart from outside the public toilet block at Ballintoy Harbour at 10.00 a.m. You can return to Ballintoy via local taxi or public bus – details provided with your confirmation, (or if travelling with a friend, park at either end).
Comfort stops/ lunch etc.
Toilets available at the start, middle and end. Bring water and a packed lunch. You might like to bring something very light as a ‘seat’ for lunch. E.g. spare coat.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Average fitness is recommended for best enjoyment. Maximum on the tour will be 12 guests. Tour minimum will be 4 people – you will receive a full refund if tour does not run. Dress for the Irish weather, avoid jeans, wear excellent walking boots/shoes, bring a raincoat, wear layers. This hike does include some slippery rocks at both ends of White Park Bay – walkers able to walk for 9 miles, wearing appropriate footwear and taking their time should find the scramble enjoyable – your guide will direct you.
All hiking involves an element of risk. You may want to have your own personal injury insurance.
Cancellation Policy
Day Dander bookings are non-refundable.
If you need to cancel due to COVID restrictions we will issue you with a rain check valid for 12 months. This must be communicated 48 hours before the tour.
We very rarely cancel tours on weather grounds or for low tour numbers but if we do you will be offered a rain check or full refund.
Overview
This walk is an utterly beautiful and relatively unknown route of 10 miles (16k). It is just a 40 minute drive from Belfast. The walk is in the Antrim Hills and includes the beautiful Sallagh Braes, looking down to the Irish Sea, Ballygally and Larne and inland to Slemish. The route continues to the high points of Scawt and Black hills before descending into the village of Glenarm.
Inclusions:
Guided walk with experienced guide. Transfer by taxi back to your car.
Departure and Return:
Tours depart at 10.00. a.m from the Antrim Hills Way Car Park on the Feystown Road above Cairncastle. Your guide will transport you to the trailhead a short distance away. At the end of the tour your guide will arrange a taxi transfer for all drivers to return to their vehicle.
Comfort stops/ lunch etc.
There are no public toilets available. The nearest toilets are in Ballygally village. Bring water and a packed lunch. You might like to bring something very light as a ‘seat’ for lunch. E.g. spare coat. If you need to use ‘Mother Natures restroom’ we recommend you bring a toilet paper in a ziplock bag and another bag to remove your waste! Alternatively look up a ‘Kula Cloth’ as a game changer for ladies in the hills!
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Average fitness is recommended for best enjoyment. Maximum on the tour will be 8 guests. Tour minimum will be 4 people – you will receive a full refund if tour does not run. Dress for the Irish weather, avoid jeans, wear excellent walking boots, bring a raincoat, wear layers. This hike does include some boggy terrain in sections. Trainers will be useless and dangerous.
All hiking involves an element of risk. You may want to have your own personal injury insurance.
Cancellation Policy
Day Dander bookings are non-refundable.
If you need to cancel due to COVID restrictions we will issue you with a rain check valid for 12 months. This must be communicated 48 hours before the tour.
We very rarely cancel tours on weather grounds or for low numbers but if we do you will be offered a rain check or full refund.
Overview
The Mourne Mountains are a stunning, compact mountain range between Newry and Newcastle in Co Down. Thousands of people enjoy the many available walking routes throughout the year. Most people want to go to the highest summit of Slieve Donard even though it is often covered in cloud, can be busy, steep and does not always provide the best views of the range. This Day Dander is an ‘out and back’ walk along a beautiful valley that reaches Doan, a rewarding summit which provides 360 views of all of the high Mournes, including views of the Silent Valley Reservoir. The walk is very attainable for inexperienced walkers; most of it is on a slowly ascending gravel/rocky path with just a short steeper, boggy section toward the summit. The summit itself requires a very short section to scramble up but once at the summit there is lots of space for lunch, photos and taking in the views. Descending the short scramble section is perfectly viable on foot or via your derrière of course! This walk is absolutely worth the short scramble.
Inclusions:
Guided walk with experienced guide.
Departure and Return:
Tours depart at 10.00. a.m from farm car park at Banns Road. Some parking spots are available at an adjacent free public car park. Alternatively the large farm car park has a £3 honesty car parking charge and a toilet. The tour has the same start and finish point.
Comfort stops/ lunch etc.
There are no public toilets available after we start the tour. Bring water and a packed lunch. You might like to bring something very light as a ‘seat’ for lunch. E.g. spare coat. If you need to use ‘Mother Nature’s restroom’ we recommend you bring toilet paper in a ziplock bag and another bag to remove your waste! Alternatively look up a ‘Kula Cloth’ as a game changer for ladies in the hills!
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Average fitness is recommended for best enjoyment. Maximum on the tour will be 10 guests. Tour minimum will be 4 people – you will receive a full refund if the tour does not run. Dress for the Irish weather, definitely avoid jeans in the mountains, wear excellent walking boots, bring a raincoat, wear layers. This hike does include some boggy terrain in sections. Trainers will be useless and dangerous. You may also want to bring a woolly hat at any time of the year. The weather can be much colder even with just a little altitude.
All hiking involves an element of risk. You may want to have your own personal injury insurance.
Cancellation Policy
Day Dander bookings are non-refundable.
If you need to cancel due to COVID restrictions we will issue you with a rain check valid for 12 months. This must be communicated 48 hours before the tour.
We very rarely cancel tours on weather grounds or for low tour numbers but if we do you will be offered a rain check or full refund.
Overview:
One of the most breathtaking, remote, dramatic coastal walking routes in Ireland is virtually unknown, largely because of its proximity to the much more famous Causeway coast. That’s good news for us though. We usually only run into a small handful of other walkers, sometimes some rock climbers, wild deer and sheep. This is a gem you will be proud you have discovered. This 8 mile (13) route is a figure of eight route meaning we will end up back at the car park the tour departs from. It includes both the high cliffs of the majestic Fairhead and the other worldliness of Murlough Bay (not be confused with Murlough Nature Reserve in Co Down).
Inclusions:
Guided walk with experienced guide.
Departure and Return:
Tours depart at 10.00. a.m from the car park at Fairhead. There is ample parking for a fee of £3 per car in an honesty box. The tour finishes at this car park.
Comfort stops/ lunch etc.
There are no public toilets available. The nearest facilities will be in the nearby town of Ballycastle. Bring water and a packed lunch. You might like to bring something very light as a ‘seat’ for lunch. E.g. spare coat. If you need to use ‘Mother Nature’s restroom’ we recommend you bring toilet paper in a ziplock bag and another bag to remove your waste! Alternatively look up a ‘Kula Cloth’ as a game changer for ladies in the hills!
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Average fitness is recommended for best enjoyment. Maximum on the tour will be 12 guests. Tour minimum will be 4 people – you will receive a full refund if the tour does not run. Dress for the Irish weather, definitely avoid jeans, wear excellent walking boots, bring a raincoat, wear layers. This hike does include some boggy terrain in sections. Trainers will be useless and dangerous.
All hiking involves an element of risk. You may want to have your own personal injury insurance.
Cancellation Policy
Day Dander bookings are non-refundable.
If you need to cancel due to COVID restrictions we will issue you with a rain check valid for 12 months. This must be communicated 48 hours before the tour.
We very rarely cancel tours on weather grounds or low tour numbers but if we do you will be offered a rain check or full refund.