Take on the thrill of the famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge this spring. 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.
Spring nature sightings
You might wish to soak in the terrific views of Rathlin Island and Scotland along the coastal walk to the rope bridge in the spring sunshine, but try not to miss sight of all the wonderful wildlife that's returning after the long winter. Take your time - you never know what you might encounter...
White-tailed bumblebees are amongst the first insects to appear each season. The big, buzzing queens swoop hungrily onto frothy blackthorn blooms and golden dandelion heads in early spring, all along the path to Carrick-a-Rede island.
Lambs leapping and skipping in the sunshine are another common sight, along with melodious meadow pipits singing high above the grassland to mark their territories. If you're lucky, you might spot a very rare finch called the twite, which breeds here every year. You may even see a peckish peregrine falcon grabbing prey out of the sky with its trademark, super-speedy diving attack.
Springtime bursts onto Carrick-a-Rede with the return of hundreds of squakwing and screeching seabirds to their nesting colonies. Squabbling kittiwakes, fulmars, guillemots, razorbills, gulls and oystercatchers create a lively, slightly raucous chorus throughout the breeding season - but they also bring plenty of cute chicks to look out for! The island offers wonderfully close views of birds in perfect plumage as they sit on nests and share parental duties.
It's always worth keeping an eye on the sea around Carrick-a-Rede island too. Early in the year, visitors sometimes spot basking sharks - our largest fish - gently gliding through the water as they gulp down plankton. A regular treat is the local pod of dolphins, which are a pure delight to watch as they playfully leap out of the water on their way past the island.
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!
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Additional Information
Manual wheelchair available for loan
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.
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.
