Rathlin Island Coastal Walk
County Antrim
Rathlin Island lies six miles off the Antrim coast and the Roonivoolin coastal walk rolls south from the harbour over grassland, tarmac and gravel with huge sea views. It is dog friendly on this southern route, though dogs are banned inside the Kebble RSPB reserve and around the West Lighthouse, so plan the day around the permitted sections.
Ferry access from Ballycastle means cars stay on the mainland, so leave the boot in the harbour car park and walk on. Dogs must be on a lead throughout because of nesting seabirds, sheep and cattle on the common grazings. Toilets, a cafe and a pub are clustered around Church Bay, and there are no services once you leave the village so carry water and a towel for after.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 10.0 km (6.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- None
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Toilets, cafe and pub at Church Bay harbour, nothing en route.
- Parking
- Harbour car park at Ballycastle for vehicles before the ferry, limited disabled parking on Rathlin itself.
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