The Gobbins Cliff Path

The Gobbins cliff path at Islandmagee, on the east Antrim coast south of Ballygally, was originally built in 1902 by engineer Berkeley Deane Wise as a visitor attraction for the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway. The path traverses 3 km of basalt sea cliff at water level, crossing tube bridges over sea inlets, passing through caves, and following ledge paths cut directly into the cliff face above the Irish Sea. It was considered one of the most dramatic coastal walks in Europe when it opened.

The path fell out of use in the 1950s and was derelict for 60 years before a £7 million restoration project reopened it in 2015. The restored path follows the same route as Wise's original, with new tube bridges replacing the rusted Victorian ironwork and the cave passages re-cleared and lit. Guided tours of 3 hours depart from the visitor centre at Islandmagee; the walk requires moderate fitness and appropriate footwear.

The Gobbins are less visited than the Giant's Causeway or Carrick-a-Rede but offer a physically more engaging coastal experience. The route at sea level gives a different perspective on the basalt geology of the Antrim coast — the same columns visible from the water, with seabirds on the cliff ledges and seals in the inlets. An essential complement to a Causeway Coast itinerary.