The Gobbins Cliff Path | Belfast, Northern Ireland

Can you conquer the challenging Gobbins Cliff Path? Find out what to expect here!

The rough, rugged coastline of Northern Ireland is simply stunning. However, the cliffs can be treacherous. Fortunately there is a great way to safely negotiate the cliffs near Belfast, known as The Gobbins, that allows you to take in the fresh sea air and magnificent panoramic views of the North Channel, while enjoying the local bird and marine life. The Gobbins Cliff Path is one of Europe’s most dramatic coastal walks.

Origin of The Gobbins

The Gobbins Cliff Path is an elevated trail that hugs the cliffs above the sea. It was originally built as a tourist attraction for the railway companies back in 1902. The engineer who designed the path, Berkeley Dean Wise, utilized some pretty impressive techniques, even by today’s standards, to attach the path to the coastline and span bridges over crevasses.

The trail was a success and thousands of people visited in the first few decades, but like many businesses during the Great Depression, the railway company experienced financial hardships. The cliff path eventually fell into disrepair and closed prior to World War II. There were attempts to reopen the trail, but political instability in Northern Ireland prevented this from happening. Finally, in 2016, the cliff path was refurbished with 15 new bridges… and it was able to reopen.

Our Experience at The Gobbins

We truly had the luck of the Irish as our weather was stellar: sunny, crisp with super calm seas.  We were in a group of 15 people (the maximum tour size) with an experienced guide who stopped us every now and then to explain some history, geology or engineering aspect of the path. After 15 minutes we were peeling down to tee shirts.

Gobbins Visitor Centre

The Gobbins Visitor Centre is 35-55 minutes by car from Belfast (depending on the traffic). The centre has a café, a gift shop, bathroom facilities and a small museum with displays that illustrate the history and evolution of The Gobbins. They request that you meet here at least 15 minutes prior to your tour time. There are NO toilet facilities on the cliff path so it’s important to use them here prior to departing.

Gearing Up for the Gobbins

Before you can tackle the trail, you have to have proper gear. Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are required, and they will issue you a pair if your footwear is deemed inadequate. No walking shoes, trainers or other climbing shoes will be permitted. You are also required to wear a helmet, which they will provide. This protects you against falling rocks (not likely, given the installed netting along the clifftops) or hitting your head in the cave or on rocks that stick out.

Backpacks are not permitted on the trail (the guide will carry anything you require) but you are allowed to carry a camera, cell phone and water bottle. (We found it a little strange that we could carry loose items but not a hands-free bag to put them in, but rules are rules.) Free lockers are available to store your belongings.

The Gobbins Cliff Path

The path is about 3 miles down and back, and takes 2-3 hours. There is a short bus ride from the visitor centre to the trailhead. From there, the walk to the actual cliff path entry has a very steep decline at the beginning (which means a very steep incline at the end). This was the most taxing part of the entire hike, particularly the way back up, but the road is smooth and easy to walk on.  

We entered the cliff path through a solid basalt outcrop known as Wise’s Eye, which had a locking gate. From there we began walking along the trail, which was narrow and uneven but equipped with a handrail.

Height Not a Problem

What surprised us the most about the Gobbins was that the walkway wasn’t very high.  It was around 30 feet above the water and rocks below. We were expecting it to be at the top of the cliffs but height wasn’t an issue. The seas were calm, although in more adverse weather conditions – or during high tide – the waves can be high enough to splash you. (If it’s a really rough day, they recommend bringing a change of dry clothes).

Bird and Aquatic Life

Numerous colonies of birds make their home in the rock walls, including kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots, shags, cormorants, and Northern Ireland’s only mainland colony of puffins. The birds flew around crying loudly, so if you’re fearful of birds, then this may not be a good choice for you.

Lions mane jellyfish, sea lions and porpoises can also be found along the coast so keep your eye out.

Bridges, Caves and Stairs

There were a series of metal bridges to cross. These were wider than the original bridges, with railings if needed. They were very sturdy and didn’t move. The exception was the suspension bridge, a hanging bridge across a crevasse suspended by cables. It swayed a little, but the movement was not significant. I didn’t even realize it was a suspension bridge until the guide pointed it out, but it’s an example of the genius of the engineer designer.

The path was up and down, with uneven surfaces and around 50 rock and metal steps.  At one point we walked down into a cave (the “tunnel”).  Although some dim lights came on, I still had to really focus to make sure I knew where the steps were. There are handrails all along the way that you can grasp for stability.

Overall, the path was a spectacular way to experience this coastline, formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity and carved by the elements ever since.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Gobbin?

The word “Gobbins” comes from the Irish word “Gobán” which means “tip/point of land” or “headland.” It refers to this particular stretch of Irish coastline.

Is the Gobbins hard?

The Gobbins Cliff Path is a strenuous walk on narrow, uneven paths, over 50 rock and metal steps, up and down steep inclines, through a cave and over bridges (one of which is suspended). There are railings along the entire path that can be used for stability, but they caution against people with mobility issues.

I am a 59-year-old woman who walks 10,000+ steps per day but has intermittent arthritis pain in my knees. My running days are over. I’m at the age now where stairs are starting to terrify me, but I was able to do this pretty easily. If you struggle getting up and down stairs, you will struggle with this.

What should I wear?

The guides recommend wearing comfortable outdoor clothing in layers as the weather can change rather quickly. They also suggest a weatherproof raincoat if rain is in the forecast. Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support and a helmet are also required and backpacks are not allowed on the trail.

Can you do the Gobbins on your own?

You aren’t permitted to access the cliff path on your own, just by guided tour. The gate to the trail is kept locked between groups so access is not possible.

How long does the tour take?

The cliff path takes 2-3 hours. In addition, you have a short bus ride from the Gobbins Visitor Centre to the trail and back.

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