Fair Head Coastal Walk, Ballycastle
County Antrim
Fair Head is one of Northern Ireland's most imposing sea cliffs and the circular route from the Coolanlough car park tracks 5 kilometres along the plateau for panoramas across to Rathlin, the Mull of Kintyre and Murlough Bay. It is marketed as dog friendly only with caveats, and owners should read the on site signage before setting off.
Much of the route crosses active farmland with loose sheep and working farm dogs on the blue and turquoise loops, and landowners ask visitors to avoid bringing dogs. If you do walk with a dog, keep it short leashed at all times and plan to turn back if livestock is in view. Parking is a small gravel area with an honesty box, no toilets on site, and nearest facilities are 5 miles away in Ballycastle.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- None
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- None on site, nearest cafes, toilets and shops in Ballycastle 5 miles away.
- Parking
- Small gravel car park at Coolanlough, roughly 20 spaces, 3 pounds per car via honesty box.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Fair Head Coastal Walk, Ballycastle, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in County AntrimVisitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Walk0.9 mi awayBallycastle to Murlough Bay Coastal Path
County Antrim
A dog friendly clifftop and shore walk down to the hidden cove of Murlough Bay with sweeping views towards Fair Head.
Beach1.7 mi awayMurlough Bay Antrim
County Antrim
One of Antrim's most remote and dramatic bays below Fair Head's basalt columns, with historical connections to Roger Casement, year-round dog access and extraordinary views to Rathlin Island and Scotland.
Beach4 mi awayBallycastle Beach
County Antrim
A sandy beach in the shadow of the Ballycastle headland with Rathlin Island views and year-round access in this characterful north Antrim town.
Walk4.7 mi awayBallypatrick Forest Walk
County Antrim
A forest climb for a dog on a lead, rewarded with viewpoints over the Causeway Coast and a burial cairn nearly 4,000 years old.
Walk6 mi awayRathlin Island Coastal Walk
County Antrim
A quiet offshore coastal circuit on Rathlin Island with puffins, clifftops and a long dog friendly road walk from the harbour.
Beach8.1 mi awayCushendun Beach
County Antrim
A beautiful sandy cove at the National Trust village of Cushendun with Game of Thrones filming caves nearby, year-round dog access and one of the most photographed settings on the Antrim coast.