In mythology, an Irish giant named Finn McCool built the causeway so that his greatest rival, a Scottish Giant named Brenandonner, could cross the narrow sea of Moyle in a challenge of strength and reputation. Formed during the early Tertiary period some 65 million years ago, there have been many different theories and scientific arguments to explain the origins of the Giant’s Causeway, truly one of nature’s wonders. A fine circular trail takes walkers down to the Grand Causeway, past amphitheatres of some 40,000 interlocking polygonal basalt columns and formations with fanciful names like the Honeycomb and the Giant’s Granny. The path continues on to a wooden staircase, the ’Shepherd’s Steps’ (162 steps), and back along the cliff top to the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre. The Causeway is Northern Ireland’s only World Heritage Site. It is also a National Nature Reserve owned and maintained by The National Trust in co-operation with Moyle District Council.