Rolling green hills and a dramatic escarpment above Cairncastle near Larne, with huge views over the Antrim coast and, on a clear day, across the sea to Scotland. This is the Game of Thrones opening-scene country — and grand walking in its own right.
What you'll do — walk the open hills above Cairncastle and Ballygally, up towards the Knock Dhu escarpment with its sweeping cliff edge and far-reaching views. Take in the coast, the sea and the Scottish shore on the horizon, and stand where the very first scene of Game of Thrones was filmed — the execution of the Night's Watch deserter by Ned Stark in Season 1. There's also an ancient hill-fort up top for the history-minded.
How long — allow about one to two hours for a good ramble over the hills, more if you follow the routes further; it's up-and-down over rough, open ground.
Price — free. This is open rural walking country, not a ticketed attraction — no admission, no booking.
What to bring — proper walking boots and warm layers; it's exposed hill ground and the weather turns fast up here. Bring water and a hat. There are no facilities — no toilets, no café, no shop — so come prepared.
This is rural hill walking over rough, exposed ground. Steep slopes, an escarpment edge and no facilities — wear boots, take care near the cliff top, and don't head up in poor visibility. Not suited to buggies.
It's working farmland — check access and park considerately. Much of the land around is farmed, so stick to marked routes and rights of way where they exist, close gates behind you, keep dogs under close control near livestock, and don't block field entrances or narrow lanes when you park.
Plan your visit
Can I visit? Yes — it's free, open hill country
The hills above Cairncastle are open rural walking country rather than a ticketed attraction, so there's no admission and nothing to book — you come, you park considerately, and you walk. The trade-off is that there are no facilities of any kind — no toilets, no café, no visitor centre — and much of the surrounding land is working farmland, so keep to marked routes and rights of way, close gates, and leave livestock and crops be. It's a proper hill outing: bring boots and layers, take care on the exposed ground near the escarpment edge, and pick a clear day so you can make the most of the views.
Free · open accessRough, exposed hill groundBoots & layers neededNo toilets or café
Come prepared and tread lightly:
There are no facilities here, it's exposed hill ground with a steep escarpment edge, and the land around is farmed. Wear proper boots, take warm layers and water, keep to marked routes and rights of way, close gates behind you, keep dogs under control near livestock, and park considerately without blocking gates or lanes.
Before you set off
What to wear & bring
🥾Proper walking bootsIt's rough, open hill ground with steep slopes — boots with grip and ankle support make all the difference.
🧥Warm layers & a waterproofThe hilltop is exposed and the weather turns fast up here — a good jacket and layers keep the day going whatever the sky does.
💧Water & a hatThere are no shops or taps anywhere on the hills, so carry your own water, and a hat for sun or wind.
📷A cameraThe escarpment, the coast and the Scottish shore on the horizon are made for it — and you'll want a shot of the Game of Thrones country.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Free — this is open rural walking country, not a ticketed attraction. No admission and nothing to book.
Facilities
None — there are no toilets, no café and no visitor centre on the hills. Sort food, water and comfort stops before you arrive.
Difficulty
Rural hill walking over rough, open and exposed ground, with steep slopes and an escarpment edge. Best for surefooted walkers; not suited to buggies.
Ages
All ages can enjoy the hills, but keep children close on the steep, open ground and away from the cliff edge at Knock Dhu.
Access & farmland
Much of the surrounding land is working farmland. Keep to marked routes and rights of way, close gates behind you, keep dogs under close control near livestock, and don't disturb crops or animals.
Dogs
Welcome on the open hills but should be kept under close control, and on a lead near any livestock.
Weather
The hilltop is exposed and views come and go with the cloud. Pick a clear, settled day and don't head up in poor visibility.
Parking
Limited roadside space along the rural lanes. Park considerately, don't block gates, field entrances or passing places, and leave room for farm traffic.
How long
Allow about one to two hours for a good hill walk, longer if you follow the routes further.
Questions
Before you go
Is it really where Game of Thrones opened?
Yes — the hills above Cairncastle were used for the very first scene of the series, the execution of the Night's Watch deserter by Ned Stark in Season 1, and for other Stark-country scenes. There's no set to see, but you can stand in the landscape itself and take in the views.
Do I need to pay or book?
No — this is free, open hill country with no admission and nothing to book. Just come prepared to walk, and park considerately on the rural lanes.
Are there toilets or a café?
No facilities at all — no toilets, no café, no shop. Sort food, water and comfort stops before you arrive, and carry your own water on the hills.
What's Knock Dhu?
Knock Dhu is the dramatic escarpment above Cairncastle, crowned by an ancient promontory hill-fort thought to date back to the Iron Age. It gives huge views over the Antrim coast and across the sea to Scotland.
Is it suitable for young children or a buggy?
It's rough, steep, open hill ground with an exposed escarpment edge, so it's not suited to buggies and little ones need keeping close. Best for surefooted family walkers rather than toddlers.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, dogs are welcome on the open hills, but keep them under close control and on a lead near any livestock — remember much of the land here is working farmland.
Getting there
The hills sit above Cairncastle village, between Ballygally and Larne on the Antrim coast in County Antrim. It's rural country reached by narrow lanes off the coast road — head for Knock Dhu, Cairncastle, and park considerately without blocking gates or passing places.
Long before a camera crew ever climbed up here, these hills were doing quiet work — grazing land above the coast, crowned by the dark escarpment of Knock Dhu, whose name is often taken to mean "black hill". Up on top sit the earthworks of a promontory fort, thought to reach back to the Iron Age, set to command the sweep of coast and the sea road across to Scotland.
Then, in 2010, the cameras did arrive. The very first scene ever filmed for Game of Thrones was shot in this landscape — the execution of a Night's Watch deserter by Ned Stark, the moment that opened the whole saga. The hills stood in for the lands north of Winterfell, and returned in later seasons for other Stark-country scenes and the exterior of Moat Cailin. The sets are long gone, but the rolling green ridges and that wide coastal view remain exactly as they were — and they're every bit as worth the climb without a dragon in sight.