Aerial view of the Blackhead coastal path walking route in County Antrim

County Antrim - Blackhead Coastal Path Walk

A bracing seaside hike

Blackhead Path is a 2.5 mile seaside trail that goes from Whitehead boat club to Blackhead. The path takes you through diverse scenery such as grassland, the rocky shoreline, and the woodland known locally as "the magical forest". This area is famous for its bird population so you may well see a few different species of birds on your route.

The trail includes the Blackhead lighthouse owned by the Commissioner for Irish Lights. From the lighthouse walkway, there are views across Belfast Lough, the Copeland Islands and as far away as Scrabo Tower in Newtownards. Far to the south-east, the Cumbrian coast, south of Solway Firth can also be spotted when visibility is clear.

The most dramatic part of the walk is around the catwalk at the base of the headland, where the sea has gouged magnificent sea caves. Look out for seals, seabirds, pods of dolphin and porpoises and even minke whale!