Days Out NI
Coastal walk Portrush

Portrush to Whiterocks Cliff Walk

A free clifftop walk above golden sand to the chalk-white Whiterocks cliffs.

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Open accessWalk it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
PortrushCoastal walk
Get directions
An hourHow long
3 milesDistance
FreeCost
All agesBest for
On leadsDogs

Portrush to Whiterocks Cliff Walk — A free clifftop walk above golden sand to the chalk-white Whiterocks cliffs.

  • Distance: Roughly 3 miles one way (Portrush to Whiterocks).
  • How long: About an hour each way at a gentle pace, longer with stops.
  • Terrain: Level grass and made clifftop paths with a few gentle rises.
  • Dogs: Welcome on leads on the clifftop; restrictions apply on the beach below 1 June to 15 September.
  • With kids: Open, unfenced cliff drops in places - keep children close and away from the edge.
  • Parking: Free car park at Whiterocks (main plus overflow); paid council parking at the Portrush (East Strand) end.
Plan your visit

A clifftop with the beach laid out below

The route follows the top of the cliffs above the continuous run of sand from East Strand through Curran Strand to Whiterocks, part of the Causeway Coast Way and Ulster Way. It is roughly 3 miles one way, mostly level grass and made paths with a few gentle rises, so a steady family pace gets you there in about an hour. The reward at the far end is the chalk-white limestone, weathered into a labyrinth of caves and arches - Shelagh's Head, the Wishing Arch, Elephant Rock and the Lion's Paw among them. Some of the biggest caves can only be reached by sea, so you admire them from the path. Keep going east and the clifftop leads to the Magheracross viewpoint, a custom-built spot with Whiterocks and Portrush one way and Dunluce Castle the other - a favourite for sunset.

Free walk Free parking at Whiterocks Sea views Chalk cliffs Caves & arches Roughly 3 miles each way
Good to know before you go:

The Causeway Coast hosts seasonal guided walks, ranger-led events and festivals through the year, from wildlife and geology outings to coastal heritage days. Check what is on locally before you visit.

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
Parking
Free car park at Whiterocks (main plus overflow); paid council parking at the Portrush (East Strand) end
Distance
Roughly 3 miles one way (Portrush to Whiterocks)
How long to allow
About an hour each way at a gentle pace, longer with stops
Difficulty
Mostly easy, but a clifftop with open edges
Terrain
Level grass and made clifftop paths with a few gentle rises
Safety with kids
Open, unfenced cliff drops in places - keep children close and away from the edge
Dogs
Welcome on leads on the clifftop; restrictions apply on the beach below 1 June to 15 September
Buggy-friendly
Not really - rough coastal path; a sling or carrier suits better
Toilets / food nearby
Toilets and seasonal amenity block with showers at Whiterocks; cafes and chippies in Portrush
Address
Whiterocks Beach, Dunluce Road, Portrush, Co. Antrim (Causeway Coastal Route); Portrush harbour at the other end
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
How far is the walk?
Roughly 3 miles one way (Portrush to Whiterocks)
How long should I allow?
About an hour each way at a gentle pace, longer with stops
Can I bring the dog?
Welcome on leads on the clifftop; restrictions apply on the beach below 1 June to 15 September
Is it buggy-friendly?
Not really - rough coastal path; a sling or carrier suits better
Getting there

Portrush to Whiterocks Cliff Walk is at Whiterocks Beach, Dunluce Road, Portrush, Co. Antrim (Causeway Coastal Route); Portrush harbour at the other end. Free car park at Whiterocks (main plus overflow); paid council parking at the Portrush (East Strand) end. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

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

About this stretch of coast

The Whiterocks get their name from the soft white limestone (chalk) cliffs that run from Curran Strand towards Dunluce Castle. Over centuries the sea has carved the rock into a maze of caves, stacks and arches, with named features like the Wishing Arch, Elephant Rock, the Lion's Paw and Shelagh's Head. Cathedral Cave, with its three arches, is one of the most striking, though many of the caves can only be reached by boat.

The clifftop path forms part of the Causeway Coast Way and the wider Ulster Way, the long-distance route that traces this dramatic coastline. East Strand below frequently earns the Blue Flag award and is a magnet for walkers, surfers and families year-round, with seasonal RNLI lifeguards on duty in July and August.

Seabirds nest in the cliff faces here, and peregrine falcons are sometimes seen hunting along the coast. Walk far enough east and the path opens onto the Magheracross viewpoint, looking back to Portrush and out to the romantic ruins of Dunluce Castle perched on its own headland.