Castlerock, Mussenden Walk

Castlerock, Mussenden and Downhill Forest – approximately 5 miles/2.5 hours (excluding lunch)   

DATE – Friday 30 May 2025

 LEADERS – Rodney and Jennifer, Telephone No 07851 804703 

 MEETING POINT/TIME – Castlerock Railway Station at 11.00am

 PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Train:  Whitehead 8.45am; Carrickfergus 8.54am; Greenisland 9.03am; Jordanstown 9.06am; change at Yorkgate for the 9.24am train to Londonderry which calls at Mossley West at 9.33am. Arrival time at Castlerock is 10.51am and the walk starts at 11.00am from Castlerock Railway Station.

 BY CAR – Car Parking is available on the streets around the Railway Station at Castlerock

WALK – From Castlerock Railway Station to Mussenden Temple, exiting by Lions Gate before crossing the road into Downhill Forest and Lake.  Return via Bishops Gate into Castlerock.   The route is along  surfaced roads and well-trodden grassy paths though there are some loose stones in places.  It is mainly flat with a few (3 or 4) inclines.  Varied scenery, great views and plenty of wild flowers when we were there. 

LUNCH – Coffee can be picked up en-route at Al’s at Mussenden and there is a variety of cafes in Castlerock including Coffee Hut, Surf Shack, The Rock Craft and Coffee, The Loft etc 

 Packed lunch is another possibility.

TOILETS – available on Castlerock Promenade near the Railway Station, at Mussenden Walled Garden and in the cafes in Castlerock.

 RETURN JOURNEY – trains leave every hour at 8 minutes past the hour. 

Let’s hope for good weather and look forward to seeing as many as possible there.