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Fair Head Coastal Walk, Ballycastle
Walk

Fair Head Coastal Walk, Ballycastle

County Antrim

Dog Friendly Rating:5/10A dramatic Antrim headland walk with big cliff top views, but dog owners should note strict restrictions from working farmland.

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.

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Fair Head Car Park, Coolanlough Road

55.2205, -6.1360

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What’s Nearby?

Ballycastle to Murlough Bay Coastal PathWalk0.9 mi away

Ballycastle to Murlough Bay Coastal Path

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Dog Friendly Rating:7/10

A dog friendly clifftop and shore walk down to the hidden cove of Murlough Bay with sweeping views towards Fair Head.

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Rathlin Island Coastal WalkWalk6 mi away

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Dog Friendly Rating:7/10

A quiet offshore coastal circuit on Rathlin Island with puffins, clifftops and a long dog friendly road walk from the harbour.

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Dog Friendly Rating:8/10

A dog friendly waterfall trail through a lush Antrim glen with cascades, boardwalks, and easy forest tracks.

View Listing3.0 km · 1 hr 15 min · Moderate
Glenariff Forest Park and Waterfall TrailWalk11.8 mi away

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Dog Friendly Rating:9/10

The 'Queen of the Glens' waterfall trail through Glenariff's dramatic gorge with the Ess-na-Larach and Ess-na-Crub waterfalls.

View Listing3.2 km · 1 hr 30 min · Easy
Walk14.5 mi away

Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse Walk

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Dog Friendly Rating:7/10

A steep out and back walk down to the iconic Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse, with dramatic Atlantic cliff views, though the climb back up is demanding for dogs and owners alike.

View Listing3.2 km · 1 hr 30 min · Hard
Giant's Causeway and North Antrim Cliff PathWalk14.9 mi away

Giant's Causeway and North Antrim Cliff Path

Northern Ireland

Dog Friendly Rating:9/10

One of Britain's great coastal walks along the Causeway Coast from the basalt columns to Dunseverick, dramatic all the way.

View Listing12.9 km · 4 hr 30 min · Moderate

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