Take on the thrill of the famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge this summer. Enjoy stunning views of the Scottish islands, spot soaring seabirds and basking sharks, and follow in the footsteps of salmon fishermen as you make your way from the mainland to Carrick-a-Rede island.
Discover Carrick-a-Rede
Suspended almost 30m (100ft) above sea level, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen over 200 years ago.
Crossing the bridge offers a thrilling burst of coastal adventure, and brave explorers are rewarded with stunning views across to Rathlin and the Scottish Islands. Once across, the island remnants of the traditional salmon fishery that once operated here.
Carrick-a-Rede is now a highly popular tourist attraction, and tickets often sell out. For the best rates, pre-book your Visitor Experience tickets in advance. Pre-booking also helps us to prepare for your arrival and helps to spread visitor numbers more evenly throughout the day, improving everyone's experience. National Trust Members and Neighbour Pass Holders gain free access, however pre-booking is essential for everyone.
Six things to look out for during your visit
Whilst exploring Carrick-a-Rede, keep your eyes peeled for these 6 not-to-be-missed highlights.
A working fishery from the 1700s until early 2000s, Carrick-a-Rede had a crane on the island for at least 100 years prior to its destruction in 2014, when storms spelled the end for its old timber frame. Breaking away from the rusted steel amount, the perished timber washed away. Today, you are able to see a reconstruction of the crane, built by Rangers in 2016. It helps to make sense of the fishing industry that was so important on the Causeway Coast.
The over 400-year-old listed Fisherman's Cottage, on Carrick-a-Rede Island was used by local fishermen for shelter and storage of their equipment and tools. Look out for the lifting gear for raising boats and salmon fishing nets on the island and catch glimpses of the past.
Guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars all share living space on the island and the adjoining mainland. The oystercatcher is a very common sight along the whole Causeway Coast.
The West Lighthouse on Rathlin Island is only 4.5 miles (7km) from Carrick-a-Rede. Thousands of puffins breed there every year.
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Delve into the history of Carrick-a-Rede
Discover the industrial and maritime history held within the limestone walls of Larrybane Quarry as you trace the line of coast over windswept grasslands and winding rocky paths to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
This 1km guided walk evokes memories of the past when the salmon fishery was at an all-time high and how fishermen first constructed a single handrail rope bridge to transport boxes of salmon caught off the island.
Stop with a member of the team at the white stones area for a short 15-minute chat to discover the rich history of this special place.
Summer nature sightings | Nature Engagement Officer, Dr Cliff Henry -
As you amble along the path to the bridge on a sunny day, you might spot some spectacular orange-coloured, small copper butterflies, or the electric shades of the common blue as they flit along the path edges. On some of the rocks, bare ground or timber at the path edges, you might also catch a glimpse of a common lizard, scuttling undercover when they see you coming!
Later in the season, there's lots of tall, white blooms of angelica, often attracting dozens of pollinating bumblebees and solitary bees, hungrily sipping nectar in a buzzing frenzy of activity. These big blooms sometimes attract 40 or more soldier beetles on each flowerhead, and can be turned black by swarms of bibionid flies on mild days later in the season.
Once you negotiate crossing Northern Ireland's iconic rope bridge, it's worth taking some time to watch the seemingly effortless, graceful, meandering flight of the fulmars, playfully swooping and gliding on the updraft of wind along the cliff edges beside the bridge. The serene fulmars are outnumbered by their noisy kittiwake, razorbill and guillemot neighbours, squabbling with each other at their nests. You can get a brilliant close-up view of all of their nesting activity, and their little chicks growing up on precarious ledges.
Playful schools of dolphins are a common sight all year, much to the delight of the lucky visitors who get a grand-stand view from the island as they leap and splash through the waves.
Share your Carrick-a-Rede memories with us! We'd love to see pictures of your visit to Carrick-a-Rede. When posting on social media, tag us for the chance to feature on our page!
A manual wheelchair is available for loan from within the Tearoom. This is available on a first-come, first-served basis and can't be pre-booked. The first 0.5km of the coastal path is accessible, with an accessible telescope. After this viewing point, on route to the rope bridge, there are steeper slopes and two long sets of steps.
For more information, click here to view our full accessibility guide.
Sensory bags available for loan
At Carrick-a-Rede, we understand that the summer holidays can be a busy, overwhelming time for many and we want everyone to feel welcome and equal, whilst embracing the beauty of nature.
We're proud to offer sensory bags, which contain a selection of items designed specifically for visitors with sensory needs, including ear defenders, an emotion fan, various fidget items and a cuddly toy. These are available to loan from the Booking Hut, located in the main visitor car park.
Discover more at Carrick-a-Rede
Find out when Carrick-a-Rede is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
It’s essential you pre-book your visit in advance to cross Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. If you’re planning a visit to Carrick-a-Rede this summer, read this article to find out everything you need to know.
The famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen in 1755. The name, from the Gaelic 'Carraig-a-Rade', means ‘The Rock in the Road’, an obstacle for the migrating salmon as they search for the river in which they were born. Follow in the footsteps of the vanishing fishermen by uncovering the history of Carrick-a-Rede.
Discover where you can take your dog along the coastal route to this two pawprint-rated place, what you need to be aware of and what facilities are available for them.
