blackhead path

BREATHTAKING... scenery wonderful.... walked from Whitehead up to Blackhead and back to start... my childhood memory!

This was our second visit to the Blackhead path, after our first visit was rained off. This particular afternoon the sun was shining, with a cold but gentle wind blowing off the Irish Sea, so we decided to go for it.The path winds out from the harbour at Whitehead, out along the coast, and round the bottom of the cliffs where Blackhead lighthouse is located. There are helpful information boards dotted along the walk, detailing the history of the place and including some old photos, all of which I found very interesting and informative. The path itself needs resurfaced in some parts (a bumpy ride for those travelling by pram or buggy) but does get a bit smoother as you approach the cliffs. The path is currently closed at the base of the cliff, though that didn't appear to stop anyone who was out walking! The fence was easily routed, though my wife and youngest had to turn back at this point. My son and I walked on round, following the path through a cave, round the coast, and then back up dozens of steps to the lighthouse. The path is closed seemingly because the railing which runs alongside the path is badly damaged or missing at parts. This is where the investment is really needed! With so much being spent on the reopening of the Gobbins, some money here would go a long way to restoring this beautiful path as well! It is not suitable for prams / buggy's once you reach the cliff wall, as there are many steps both up to and down from the lighthouse.The views from the path, and from the lighthouse are breathtaking, stretching up the coast, but also across to north Down, and well worth the walk!There were many people out enjoying the dry weather yesterday, but even if it had rained, there are several shelters along the route where you could hide from the elements if needed. Overall a wonderful walk with plenty of history, and with a bit of investment, could be perfect!

I walk here very often. I looked in to the "Magic Wood" but it seemed spooky. If you come from Black Head direction there's a river running down the hillside. You see benches with the names of people who have passed away that loved to walk here. Their families have had their names added, I wonder if people will add my name to one some day! I never tire of this walk, and I think I'm very lucky to be able to go here, it is my favourite walk. I love to look over at the coast of Bangor on the other side. There was a robin on the rocks right next to the path, so close by!

Is it any good in midwinter? Yes. Brilliant yellow gorse flowers that always look like they’re laughing. Stony beaches with dazzling little sea snail shells, and those stray red house bricks that somehow escape to become pebbles. Kevin Killen’s rusty-looking dolphin sculptures. The tide was in, all around the remarkable Wren’s Eggs – gigantic glacial erratics dumped here at the end of the Ice Age. There was a robin on a rock right beside the path, and another in the hedges on the roads above, so close, such icons of Christmastime. One council sign told the tale of John Curie Hoy from World War I, but that’s a typo. His middle name was Curry or Currie. I took a quick look into The Magic Wood, a place where houses used to be. Now there’s just trees, and a babbling brook. People had added a painted smiley face to a tree, and spelled out a letter N with white rocks. Signs say that the path that goes around the coast under the light house is closed after a rock fall. Everyone ignores that and climbs past the barricades. For Christmas Day I was nice instead of naughty and took a legal detour up the Golden Steps = Golden Stairs instead. They’re made of wood and gravel, but it’s still a feast for the eyes. The low midwinter sunlight was blazing off the moss. A blackbird launched out of the undergrowth, laughing. This path emerged among a scattering of houses on the hilltop, then fields. It comes down the slopes of Muldersleigh Hill past Whitehead Golf Club. The McCrae’s Brae road is very steep. In summer evenings it is alive with bats. You do have to step aside when cars come along. If you look through the brambles and ivy you’ll see all the way out across the shores of Larne Lough. You reach the foot of the hill on the edges of Whitehead this way. It’s a great walk.

Great walk round the lighthouse in ridiculous September sunshine. It was like the Italian Riviera. Then a great fry at the Old Tea House on Cable Road. Perfect Sunday brunch material. Shimmied past the council temporary fence put there to protect us from some steep concrete steps? The big houses on the seafront have a great multicolour paint job. Train tickets are cheap after 9.30.

Whitehead is not a tourist spot but it you visit the Antrim Coast, you ought to do this walk to Blackhead lighthouse. Simply incredible!! Pity that it is not promoted in the Tourist Board ...

I met a lady from the west of Ireland walking here, and we talked all about her journey to get here. She was very interesting. The path is now repaired apart from one rock fall, but you can still get up to the light house by taking the left fork of the path up the hill. I saw lizards here, and baby lizards have been seen last week.

If you go along the rocky cliff path all the way under the lighthouse you will reach a barricade saying the path is closed. There was a rock fall, and the council are just being slow in "assessing" what might happen next, which is .. many people just climb around and continue their walk. Chances are nothing more will ever happen unless in the dead of night when no-one is around to see it! I like to take the grassy path up at an angle towards the lighthouse, and go around, then come back by the golden stairs. There are lots of ways around this spectacular cliff path, even if you obey the sign.

This is a lovely, gentle walk along a good path which takes you right by the sea. We parked close to Whitehead Boat Club and walked to the lighthouse and back again. It is a gorgeous stroll, right by the sea with great views of the lough and the rocky coastline all the way. Some interesting things to spot too - we liked the large boulders (Wren's Eggs) on the beach and the caves in the cliffs. The climb up to the lighthouse was not so bad and the reward is more great views.A beautiful part of the countryside and definitely worth exploring.

Today I was watching viviparous lizards on Blackhead Path. I saw three different ones within an hour. AMAZING! They are the only reptile native to Ireland. Tiny things, they like to warm up on sunlit concrete before going back into the undergrowth. Also seen: a seal out at sea, looking about; a heron; red admiral, ringlet and meadow brown butterflies; and I could hear lots of grasshoppers chirping. The path is crammed with natural wonders. The people you meet are well worth talking to - it was bird watcher Niall Waterman who tipped me off about the lizards.At County Antrim Yacht Club yesterday, at the other end of Whitehead, people saw dolphins yesterday. They seem to enjoy checking out the humans in their kayaks.

For all who enjoy walking with a view to die for!! Watch out for the abundant bird life, sea activities on the Belfast Lough both big and small and great possibilities to chat with locals and visitors alike.

If you can’t see the Blackhead cliff path toilets, here is a photo for you. It is a coin operated one up on a platform just where the path starts, next to the car park. Its one of the automatic type ones. Lots of visiting mobile homes were parked nearby yesterday, they must have got a wonderful view of the sunrise. The path is all decked with flowers at this time of year.

I ran all the way along the path last night. I was admiring the beautiful blue sea, and enjoying the mild sea breeze. I was saying "hello" along the way to a couple of friendly walkers. It was a beautiful day, but when you run up all the steps to the lighthouse you do get out of breath!

The one thing missing is toilets!!! Lots of wildlife, if you are able climb steps to the lighthouse for terrific view.

The Blackhead Coastal Path is looking very spring like these days. Only St. Patrick's weekend and the sun is giving off some great warmth. The views across to Scotland are breath taking. The birds are in full voice through the caves. And flowers are beginning to peep through. It's great to see the Path is still being enjoyed by so many. Don't let the new sign at the start of the path distract you. The path is very clean, nature is doing its job.