A dramatic natural horseshoe of steep green cliffs high in the Antrim hills above Ballygally — a spectacular free hill walk on the Ulster Way, with huge views out over the valley to the Irish Sea. One of the finest short mountain outings in the Glens of Antrim.
What you'll do — climb out onto open hillside and walk the edge of the cliff amphitheatre, following the yellow-and-blue waymarkers of the Ulster Way / Antrim Hills Way. It's a circular route of about 1.8 miles with a steep pull at the start, then the sweeping horseshoe of the Braes opens up beside you and the views run right out to the sea.
How long — allow around an hour and a half for the loop at a comfortable pace, more if you stop for the views (and you will).
Price — free, with a free car park at the start (Linford Car Park on Feystown Road).
What to bring — proper walking boots, a windproof coat and warm layers. It's open, exposed upland with no shelter, and it can be breezy and cool even on a bright day. Carry water and a hat, and bring your own snacks.
Rough, exposed hill walking — boots and care needed. This is real upland: uneven ground, a steep climb, and clifftops with big drops. Keep well back from the edge, watch children closely, and there are no facilities — no toilets, no café, no shop — so come prepared.
Working farmland — check access, close gates, park considerately. The route crosses grazing land, so leave gates as you find them, keep to the waymarked line, and don't block the lane or car park. Dogs are strictly not allowed here, even on a lead, because of the livestock.
Plan your visit
Can I just turn up? Yes — it's a free open hill walk.
There's no ticket, no booking and no visitor centre here — Sallagh Braes is simply a stretch of the Ulster Way / Antrim Hills Way across open hillside, free to walk whenever you like. Park at the free Linford Car Park on Feystown Road (roughly three miles west of Ballygally, near Cairncastle), cross the stile and follow the yellow-and-blue waymarkers. The catch is that it's proper upland with no facilities and real hazards, so the planning is all about coming equipped — boots, layers, water and daylight — rather than buying anything.
Free car park (Linford)Waymarked trailNo toilets or caféSteep, exposed clifftop
Come prepared, keep back from the edge:
This is exposed hill country with no shelter and no toilets, and there are steep cliff drops. Wear boots, take layers and water, keep well back from the edge, watch children closely, and turn back if the weather closes in. It's farmland too, so close gates and leave no trace — and dogs aren't allowed.
Before you set off
What to wear & bring
🥾Walking bootsThe ground is uneven, grazed and boggy in places, with a steep climb — proper boots with grip make all the difference.
🧥A windproof coat & layersThe hilltop is open and exposed, and the wind can be brisk even in summer — a good jacket and warm layers keep the day going.
💧Water & a snackThere's no café or shop up here, so bring your own water and something to eat for the top.
📷A cameraThe horseshoe of cliffs and the view out to the sea are among the best in the Antrim hills — well worth capturing.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Free to walk, with a free car park at the start. Nothing to book.
Distance
A circular route of about 1.8 miles from Linford Car Park, out and along the edge of the Braes and back.
Difficulty
Moderate — a steep pull at the start, then undulating open hillside with some uneven, boggy ground. Ground conditions are generally good but muddy after rain.
The route
Follow the yellow-and-blue waymarkers for the Ulster Way / Antrim Hills Way from the car park stile. Keep to the marked line across the farmland.
Ages
Best for families with older, surefooted children who can manage a real hill walk. Keep everyone well back from the cliff edges.
Buggies
Not suited to buggies — it's steep, uneven upland with stiles.
Dogs
Not allowed, even on a lead, because the route crosses grazing farmland.
Facilities
None on site beyond the car park — no toilets, café or shop. Come prepared and bring your own water.
Weather
Exposed upland with no shelter. Check the forecast, take layers, and turn back if cloud or wind closes in. Take care near the cliffs in all conditions.
How long
Allow about an hour and a half for the loop, plus time to soak up the views.
Questions
Before you go
Do I need to book or pay?
No — it's a free, open hill walk on the Ulster Way, with a free car park at Linford on Feystown Road. Just turn up, but come properly equipped for the hills.
How hard is the walk?
Moderate. There's a steep climb at the start, then undulating open hillside of about 1.8 miles. The ground is uneven and can be boggy after rain, so it's a proper hill walk rather than a stroll — boots strongly recommended.
Are there toilets or a café?
No — there are no facilities up here beyond the car park. Bring your own water and snacks, and use the facilities in Ballygally or Larne before you set off.
Can I bring my dog?
Sadly not — dogs aren't allowed on this route, even on a lead, because it crosses grazing farmland with livestock.
Is it safe for children?
It's best for older, surefooted children who can manage a hill walk. There are steep cliff drops along the Braes, so keep little ones close and well back from the edge throughout.
Is this really a Game of Thrones location?
Yes — the Sallagh Braes hills featured in Game of Thrones as the setting for Brother Ray's septry, filmed here for Season 6's "The Broken Man". There's some interpretation about it at the Linford car park.
Getting there
Sallagh Braes sits in the Antrim hills above Ballygally, County Antrim, near Cairncastle. Start from the free Linford Car Park on Feystown Road, roughly three miles west of Ballygally, just off the Causeway Coastal Route.
Sallagh Braes is a great curving scarp of cliffs — a natural horseshoe carved into the edge of the Antrim uplands, its steep green sides sweeping round above the farmland below. For generations it has been sheep country, grazed and quiet, with the Ulster Way threading along its rim and the sea glinting away to the east.
More recently the Braes found a wider audience. Its wild, open scenery stood in as part of Westeros in Game of Thrones — the setting where Brother Ray built his septry, filmed here for the show's sixth season. Screen fame or not, it remains what it always was: a big, bracing hill walk with one of the finest views in the Glens, best earned on your own two feet.