Days Out NI
Coastal walk Ballycastle

Murlough Bay to Fair Head Clifftop Walk

A steep clifftop climb to one of NI's biggest views, with Rathlin and Scotland out at sea.

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Open accessWalk it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
BallycastleCoastal walk
Get directions
3 hoursHow long
2.5 milesDistance
FreeCost
All agesBest for
Not permitted (…Dogs

Murlough Bay to Fair Head Clifftop Walk — A steep clifftop climb to one of NI's biggest views, with Rathlin and Scotland out at sea.

  • Distance: Around 2.5 miles, with loop options from 1.5 to 3.4 miles.
  • How long: Roughly 2 to 3 hours.
  • Terrain: Uneven grass, heather, bog and farm track; rough and rocky in places.
  • Dogs: Not permitted (working farm).
  • With kids: Unfenced cliff edges in sections - keep children close, stay well back, avoid in wind or poor visibility.
  • Parking: Signed farm car park off Fairhead Road (grid ref D175426).
Plan your visit

The route and the view from the top

Routes start from the Fair Head farm car park and a trailhead panel lays out several loops, from about 1.5 miles up to 3.4 miles. The Murlough View walk is around 2.5 miles and is the most demanding option, with steep climbs and descents across uneven grass, heather and bog. Your reward is the cliff edge of Fair Head, where the dolerite columns plunge to the sea and the view opens out to Rathlin Island, Scotland and the Mull of Kintyre. Far below sits Murlough Bay, one of the prettiest corners of the coast. Allow 2 to 3 hours and take your time on the steeper, rougher ground.

Free walk £3 car park Rathlin & Scotland views Sea cliffs 2.5-3.4 mile loops Steep & strenuous
Good to know before you go:

The Causeway Coast hosts seasonal guided walks, ranger-led events and outdoor festivals through the year. Check what is on before you travel and pair the walk with other days out along the coast.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 👟Good shoes or bootsShore paths can be rocky, uneven and a little muddy after rain.
  • 🧥A coat or windproofThe coast is breezy — a fresh sea wind is half the fun of it.
  • 💧Water and a snackThere is rarely a shop right on the path, so pack a little something.
  • 🔭Binoculars or a cameraFor the seabirds, the seals and the big views across the water.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free walk; car park around £3 per car
Parking
Signed farm car park off Fairhead Road (grid ref D175426)
Distance
Around 2.5 miles, with loop options from 1.5 to 3.4 miles
How long to allow
Roughly 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty
Strenuous - steep climbs and descents
Terrain
Uneven grass, heather, bog and farm track; rough and rocky in places
Safety with kids
Unfenced cliff edges in sections - keep children close, stay well back, avoid in wind or poor visibility
Dogs
Not permitted (working farm)
Buggy-friendly
No - rough, steep ground, not suitable for buggies
Toilets / food nearby
Seasonal coffee hut at the car park; toilets, cafes and shops in Ballycastle, about 5 miles away
Address
Fair Head farm car park, Fairhead Road, near Ballycastle, Co. Antrim (grid ref D175426)
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free walk; car park around £3 per car
How far is the walk?
Around 2.5 miles, with loop options from 1.5 to 3.4 miles
How long should I allow?
Roughly 2 to 3 hours
Can I bring the dog?
Not permitted (working farm)
Is it buggy-friendly?
No - rough, steep ground, not suitable for buggies
Getting there

Murlough Bay to Fair Head Clifftop Walk is at Fair Head farm car park, Fairhead Road, near Ballycastle, Co. Antrim (grid ref D175426). Signed farm car park off Fairhead Road (grid ref D175426). Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around BallycastleSee what else is close by More coastal walks across NIBeaches, cliffs, harbours and headlands
The story

About this stretch of coast

Fair Head is the great basalt headland at the north-east tip of Antrim, rising in giant dolerite columns up to 12 metres across. The rock formed from volcanic activity around 60 million years ago, and today the cliffs are famous with rock climbers as well as walkers.

From the top you look across the Sea of Moyle towards Rathlin Island and the Scottish coast. In Irish legend, the Sea of Moyle is where the Children of Lir were said to have spent 900 years as swans, one of the oldest stories tied to this water.

Below the headland, Murlough Bay is a sheltered, wooded cove that has drawn visitors for generations and featured as a filming location for its quiet beauty. The plateau above remains working farmland, which is why the routes follow waymarked paths and dogs are kept off.