Days Out NI
Dark-sky spot Magherahoney

Altarichard Forest Stargazing Site

A remote forest car park in the Antrim hills with open sky in every direction

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Any clear nightBest on dark moonless nights
FreeFree to visit
MagherahoneyDark-sky spot
Get directionsOfficial website
FreeFree to visit
Dark-sky spotBring your eyes
Night skyClear dark nights
Remote & unlitCome prepared
FreeParking

Altarichard Forest Stargazing Site — A remote forest car park in the Antrim hills with open sky in every direction.

  • What you'll see: Dark skies with the Milky Way, planets and seasonal meteor showers on clear moonless nights — never guaranteed.
  • Getting there: Altarichard Road, Magherahoney, on the route between Magherahoney and Cushendall.
  • When to go: Clear, moonless nights; darker for longer in winter. Check the forecast and moon phase.
  • Facilities: Forest car park and daytime walking trails; no lighting, no toilets, no shop, nobody on site at night.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Good to know: Remote and unlit — bring a torch (red light saves night vision), warm layers and sturdy shoes, and tell someone your plans.
Plan your visit

What the night gives you

Altarichard earns its place on the stargazing lists because it is remote, dark and easy to park at, with open sky all around rather than a view boxed in by trees or hills. On a clear, moonless night you get far more stars than near a town, and you can often trace the Milky Way, spot planets and, in season, watch for meteors. It is the outdoors, so nothing is promised. Check the cloud forecast and the moon phase before you commit to the drive.

Recognised Go Stargazing site Remote forest car park, low light pollution Open views in all directions Milky Way on clear moonless nights Meteor showers in season Free to visit
Good to know before you go:

Altarichard has no fixed programme, so the nights worth planning around are the meteor showers, such as the Perseids in August and Geminids in December, on a clear moonless evening. Local astronomy groups occasionally use remote sites like this for observing nights.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🔦A torch — ideally red-lightRed light lets you see the path without wrecking your night vision.
  • 🧥More layers than you thinkYou’re standing still in the dark on a hill — it gets cold fast.
  • 📱A star-map app & the forecastCheck the moon phase and cloud cover before you set off — a full moon washes the sky out.
  • 🧣A flask & a blanketHalf the fun is sitting back with a hot drink while your eyes adjust.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Type
Free dark-sky viewpoint (forest car park)
What you'll see
Dark skies with the Milky Way, planets and seasonal meteor showers on clear moonless nights — never guaranteed
Getting there
Altarichard Road, Magherahoney, on the route between Magherahoney and Cushendall
Facilities
Forest car park and daytime walking trails; no lighting, no toilets, no shop, nobody on site at night
When to go
Clear, moonless nights; darker for longer in winter. Check the forecast and moon phase
Cost
Free
Booking
None needed
Good to know
Remote and unlit — bring a torch (red light saves night vision), warm layers and sturdy shoes, and tell someone your plans
Parking
Free forest car park
Address
Altarichard Road, Magherahoney, County Antrim, BT53 8XT
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
When is the best time to go?
Clear, moonless nights; darker for longer in winter. Check the forecast and moon phase
What will we actually see?
Dark skies with the Milky Way, planets and seasonal meteor showers on clear moonless nights — never guaranteed
Are there any facilities?
Forest car park and daytime walking trails; no lighting, no toilets, no shop, nobody on site at night
What should we bring?
Remote and unlit — bring a torch (red light saves night vision), warm layers and sturdy shoes, and tell someone your plans
Getting there

Altarichard Forest Stargazing Site is at Altarichard Road, Magherahoney, County Antrim, BT53 8XT. Altarichard Road, Magherahoney, on the route between Magherahoney and Cushendall. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

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The story

About Altarichard Forest Stargazing Site

You follow the back road up into the Antrim hills and the forest car park opens out with clear sky on every side, including straight up. Away from any town, this is a genuinely dark spot, which is why stargazers single it out. On a clear, moonless night you park, let your eyes adjust, and the stars fill in overhead.