The Gobbins

Berkeley Deane Wise, an engineer for the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway, built the path, opened in August 1902, to draw rail passengers to Islandmagee: a route hung directly on the basalt cliff face at sea level, using iron bridges, cut tunnels, staircases and a tubular bridge, so that walkers pass through caves and over inlets with the sea directly below. It drew wide acclaim, but upkeep slipped in the 1930s and, after a brief reopening, the path closed in 1954. A reconstruction opened in 2015 following the original line where possible. Access is by guided tour only, with helmets, and the path closes in swell or high wind. The cliffs are known for their rich birdlife, and the rock is full of caves.

What you'll find

• The bridges on the cliff face - iron spans hung at sea level over inlets.
• The tunnels and caves - cut passages and natural caverns on the route.
• The Edwardian engineering - Wise's 1902 line, rebuilt in 2015.
• The seabirds - cliffs known for their rich birdlife.

When to go

April to October; tours run to a timetable and must be booked, and the path closes frequently for sea conditions. Seabirds are on the cliffs from spring to midsummer.

What to expect

Closures for weather and swell are frequent and can be decided on the morning. The tour involves steep steps, low tunnels and a two to three hour walk, with a fitness requirement stated at booking. Helmets are compulsory and children under a set height are excluded.

Nearby

Larne is a short drive; the Antrim coast road runs north from there.

Key facts