Explore Fairhead

The walk up Fairhead is steep and relentless, but the payoff is worth every burning calf muscle. This basalt cliff dominates the landscape between Ballycastle and the sea, rising dramatically enough to make you appreciate why the Causeway Coast has such a reputation.

Once you're at the top - and it does take proper effort to get there - you're rewarded with views that stretch across the water towards Scotland on a clear day. The cliff itself is the thing. Raw, dark rock dropping straight down, with the sea churning below. It's less manicured than some of the better-known coastal walks round here, which is precisely why it's worth doing.

This works best for walkers rather than casual strollers. Families with older kids will manage fine; toddlers and pushchairs won't stand a chance on that path. Allow a couple of hours for the walk and don't rush the summit if the weather's decent - there's space to sit and think.

Geologically minded visitors will get more from it knowing this is all ancient lava flows, part of the volcanic story that created the whole Antrim plateau. For everyone else, it's simply a proper headland with serious views.

Ballycastle is the nearest settlement and has shops and cafes. Watertop Farm, just a few miles away, makes a decent base if you're planning a longer stay on the Causeway Coast. Go when the weather's clear - in mist, you're just climbing into fog.