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VIDEO SOURCE: DISCOVER IRELAND/YOUTUBE

THE GOBBINS PATH

The Gobbins path wraps its way around the cliffs over County Antrim’s Irish Sea coastline – a stunning architectural feat, given its creators erected this over 100 years ago.

You’ve left Belfast behind, and now it’s time to start your journey along the Causeway Coastal Route. And already, just 32km (20 miles) in, you’ve found something remarkable. Let us introduce you to The Gobbins.

Hanging from basalt cliffs directly over the Irish Sea, the Gobbins Cliff Path is an Edwardian labour of love. Designed by the railway engineer Berkeley Deane Wise in 1902, the Gobbins has been closed since 1954 when the depression of the 1930s and lack of materials post-WWII had caught up with this one-of-a-kind visitor experience.

After extensive renovations, the Gobbins is open again, and it’s already proving a hugely popular stop along the stunning Causeway Coastal Route.

At one point along the path, the walk bends like an elbow out into the Irish Sea, creating a “natural aquarium of seawater”. Take a moment to see if you can spot some of the many species of fish swimming below.

Modelled on the original, the Tubular Bridge is an exposed tubular walkway hanging some 10 metres above the chilly Irish Sea. And the weight of this metal behemoth? An impressive 5.4 tonnes.

Named after the path’s creator over 100 years ago, Wise’s Eye was made to provide access to “the most spectacular section of the original path… over crashing waves to sunken caves and sheer cliff faces.”

Beautiful as it is, there’s more to the Gobbins than looks. Prominent in this basalt coastline is sedimentary rock which hints at climates found as far back as the Triassic and Jurassic periods. Amazingly, an ichthyosaur fossil, found at nearby Larne, dates from a time millions of years ago when this part of Ireland would have been completely submerged under a warm, shallow sea.

Did you know: the cliffs at the Gobbins play host to Northern Ireland’s ONLY mainland colony of puffins? It’s true. And this biodiverse area welcomes more than just puffins. Other winged creatures that feed and play here include kittiwakes, shags, guillemots, razorbills and, from time to time, a peregrine falcon. Alert visitors might just well spot cormorants diving for fish in the Irish Sea.

Clinging to the ancient rock, too, are diverse plants, ferns and grasses, among them spleenwort, a fern from which a cave here takes its name.

VISITING THE GOBBINS: USEFUL INFORMATION

  • WHAT SORT OF FOOTWARE IS REQUIRED?
    • Footwear worn on the Gobbins must have good grip and ankle support. See this PDF for acceptable types of footwear.
  • ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON THE WALK?
    • A moderate level of fitness is required to walk the Gobbins. It is not suitable for those with cardiac, respiratory or joint conditions (if you have another medical condition and are unsure of your level of fitness, please check with a staff member at time of booking). Additionally, the tour is not suitable for anyone under the height of 1.2 metres (around 4 feet tall). Walking aids are not permitted and smoking and eating are not allowed along the cliff path, although a bottle of water is recommended.
  • WHAT IS THE WALK LENGTH?
    • The Gobbins experience includes a short bus ride, then a steep descent which is followed by over 100 steps to the path entrance. Led by a friendly, enthusiastic personal guide brimming with local knowledge on the area’s history, flora and fauna, the guided tour along the cliff path is approximately 3km (2 miles) and ends in a steep upward climb back to your transport. Overall, the experience lasts 3 hours.
  • WHERE IS THE GOBBINS LOCATED?
    • The Gobbins is located in Islandmagee, County Antrim on the Causeway Coastal Route, 32km (20 miles) from Belfast. For GPS purposes, the location of the Gobbins is The Gobbins Visitor Centre, Middle Road, Islandmagee BT40 3SX.
  • WHAT FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED AT THE VISITOR CENTRE?
    • Visitors can leave their car in the free car park before entering the centre and perusing the Gobbins exhibition. A welcome video is played, explaining a little of the history of the tour and safety features. Each visitor is provided with a helmet before a bus then takes you from the centre to the beginning of the cliff walk, returning at the end of the tour. Tea, coffee and light snacks are available in the café.