A vast cliff headland east of Ballycastle, said to be Northern Ireland's largest cliff face — a walk out over open moorland to a sheer clifftop with huge views to Rathlin Island and, on a clear day, Scotland. It's a world-class rock-climbing spot, a Game of Thrones filming location, and there's a crannog lake up on the plateau.
What you'll do — follow the walkers' path out across the headland to the clifftop, take in the vast views to Rathlin Island and Scotland, look out over the Dragonstone scenery from Game of Thrones, spot the crannog on Lough na Cranagh on the way, and watch the climbers working the great columns of rock below.
How long — allow about 1.5 to 2 hours for the walk out to the head and back; there are shorter and longer loops signposted at the car park, over open, uneven ground.
Price — free to walk. There's an honesty box at the farm walkers' car park for a small parking contribution, so bring a little cash.
What to bring — proper walking boots and warm layers; it's exposed and the weather turns fast out here. Carry water. There are no facilities — no café, no toilets, no shop. Dogs are welcome on a lead among grazing livestock.
Sheer, unfenced cliff edge. The drop is huge and there are no barriers — keep well back from the edge and keep a close hold of children at all times.
Remote clifftop walk over rough, boggy ground. This is open farmland and moor, not a beach or a groomed trail — wear boots, take care in wind or poor visibility, and remember there are no facilities out here.
Plan your visit
Can I visit? Yes — it's a free, open walk from the car park.
Fair Head sits on private farmland, and access is by a signed walkers' car park at Coolanlough, off the Fair Head Road east of Ballycastle. There's usually an honesty box for a small parking contribution, so it's worth bringing a little cash. From there you follow the waymarked routes across the headland — a trailhead panel shows shorter and longer loops. The walk itself is free, but there are no facilities on site, so come prepared with boots, layers and water, and take your litter home.
Remote clifftopWalkers' car park (honesty box)Free to walkNo facilities · sheer edge
Respect the edge and the land:
This is a working farm with an unfenced clifftop and a huge drop. Keep well back from the edge, keep children close, follow the waymarked routes, close gates behind you and take care in wind or mist. There are no toilets or café, so plan ahead.
Before you set off
What to wear & bring
🥾Proper walking bootsThe ground is rough, uneven and boggy in places — good boots with grip and ankle support make all the difference.
🧥Warm, windproof layersIt's high and exposed, and the weather turns quickly out here — a good jacket and a spare layer keep the day going.
💧WaterThere's no café or shop at the head, so bring your own drink for the walk out and back.
📷A cameraRathlin, the great cliff columns and the crannog lake are some of the finest views on the whole coast.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Free to walk. There's usually an honesty box at the walkers' car park for a small parking contribution, so bring a little cash.
Booking
No booking — just turn up in daylight and follow the waymarked routes from the car park.
Difficulty
Moderate. Loops of roughly 1.5 to 3.5 miles over open, uneven and sometimes boggy ground, with sections near an unfenced cliff edge.
Ages
Best for surefooted families and older children who can be trusted near a big drop. Not suited to toddlers wandering, given the unfenced edge.
Buggies
Not suited to buggies or prams — the ground is rough moorland and farm track, not a made path.
Weather
Very exposed. The weather and visibility can change fast; take extra care in wind or mist and keep well back from the edge.
Climbing
Fair Head is a renowned rock-climbing venue — said to be the largest expanse of climbable rock in Britain or Ireland. Climbing is for experienced, properly equipped climbers only.
Facilities
None on site — no toilets, café or shop. The nearest are in Ballycastle. Take your litter home.
Dogs
Welcome on a lead — this is working farmland with grazing livestock, so keep dogs under close control.
How long
Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours for the walk out to the head and back, longer for the bigger loops.
Questions
Before you go
Do I need to pay or book?
No booking, and the walk is free. There's usually an honesty box at the walkers' car park for a small parking contribution, so it's handy to have a little cash on you. Just arrive in daylight and follow the waymarked routes.
Is it safe for young children?
The cliff edge is sheer and unfenced with a big drop, so keep children close at all times and well back from the edge. It's a great outing for surefooted older kids, but toddlers need a firm hand near the top.
Where do I park?
At the signed walkers' car park at Coolanlough, off the Fair Head Road east of Ballycastle. From there the trailhead panel shows the different loops out to the head.
Are there toilets or a café?
No — there are no facilities out at Fair Head. The nearest toilets, cafés and shops are back in Ballycastle, so go before you set off and bring your own water.
How long does it take?
Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours to walk out to the head and back at a gentle pace, taking in the views. There are shorter and longer loops signposted if you want to do more or less.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a lead. Fair Head is working farmland with grazing livestock, so keep dogs under close control and clean up after them.
Getting there
Fair Head is east of Ballycastle, Co. Antrim. Follow the signs to the walkers' car park at Coolanlough, off the Fair Head Road, and set off from there on foot — there's no vehicle access out to the head.
Fair Head has had its moment on screen. The great cliff stood in for the clifftops of Dragonstone in Game of Thrones, where — as the story goes — Jon Snow and Daenerys walked the edge above the sea. It's easy to see why the location scouts came: little else in Northern Ireland matches this sheer drop and the empty horizon beyond.
Up on the plateau sits Lough na Cranagh, and on it a small island thought to be a crannog — an artificial island of the kind people are said to have built and lived on in Ireland long ago. The wooded islet you can see from the path is part of that old story, though much of the deep history here is pieced together rather than certain.
Then there's the rock itself. The cliff is built of great dolerite columns, believed to have formed from volcanic activity in deep geological time. For climbers it's a legend — often described as the largest expanse of climbable rock in Britain or Ireland — and on a good day you'll see ropes and helmets working the crags far below the walkers up top.