The best walks and hikes around Craigmacagan

Embark on the Rathlin Island Roonivoolin Walk, a moderate hiking route that takes you along the rugged coastline of Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island. You will cover 5.7 miles (9.2 km) with an elevation gain of 275 feet (84 metres), typically completed in about 2 hours and 28 minutes. As you hike, expect dramatic cliff-top views overlooking Church Bay and the vast expanse of the sea, offering a truly wild and windswept experience.

Planning your visit requires a ferry journey to Rathlin Island, so be sure to check schedules and book your passage in advance. While some sections of the route follow paved laneways, other parts traverse wild heathland, so wear sturdy walking shoes suitable for varied terrain. This trail is generally considered beginner-friendly, making it accessible for most fitness levels looking for a rewarding coastal adventure.

This route is nestled within the RSPB Roonivoolin Reserve, providing an excellent opportunity to observe diverse wildlife. Keep an eye out for seals basking in Mill Bay and various seabirds like oystercatchers and buzzards soaring overhead. In spring, the heathland transforms with vibrant wildflowers and butterflies, adding a splash of color to the otherwise untamed landscape.

Embark on the Rathlin Trail, a moderate 8.5-mile (13.7 km) hike on Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island. This route, which takes around 3 hours and 44 minutes to complete with 661 feet (201 metres) of elevation gain, offers dramatic coastal vistas and expansive sea views. You'll follow a mix of tarmac roads and rough gravel tracks, starting with a steep climb out of the village before much of the path becomes fairly gentle. Look out for the East Lighthouse, with Scotland's Mull of Kintyre visible on clear days, as you traverse this unique landscape.

To best enjoy the Rathlin Trail, sturdy walking shoes are recommended, especially as parts of the path can become rough tracks through cattle-grazed nature reserves. Vehicle access on Rathlin Island is restricted, which means you can expect a quiet and immersive hiking experience with very little traffic. This allows you to fully appreciate the island's natural beauty and wildlife without disturbance. Plan your visit to allow ample time to explore, particularly if you wish to spend time at the RSPB Seabird Centre.

The Rathlin Trail is particularly notable for its rich wildlife, making it a must-do for nature enthusiasts. Your journey culminates at the RSPB Seabird Centre at the West Lighthouse, home to Northern Ireland's largest seabird colony. Here, between April and early July, you can observe thousands of breeding seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes. The island is also known for golden hares and a memorial dedicated to Rathlin emigrants from the Irish Famine years.

Embark on the Rathlin Trail & Roonivoolin Walk for a challenging 14.5-mile (23.3 km) hike across Rathlin Island, where you'll gain about 915 feet (279 metres) in elevation over approximately 6 hours and 18 minutes. This difficult route combines tarmacked laneways, open fields, and clifftop paths, offering striking panoramas of both the Irish and Scottish coastlines. You'll encounter moderately challenging sections with short, steep climbs and descents, passing dramatic coastal cliffs and tranquil inland loughs like Craigmacaghan Lough. Keep an eye out for the unique Rathlin West Lighthouse, built into the cliff face.

To access this remote island experience, you will need to take a ferry to Rathlin Island. Once there, the trails feature obstacles such as narrow gates, stiles, and long sets of steps, so be prepared for varied surfaces that can be uneven or slippery. The combined route requires good fitness, especially given the initial steep climb on the Rathlin Trail portion near St Thomas's Parish Church. While the Roonivoolin Walk itself is shorter and more moderate, completing the full loop means you should plan for a full day of hiking.

Rathlin Island is renowned for its exceptional wildlife, hosting Northern Ireland's largest seabird colony where puffins, guillemots, and razorbills breed from April to July; the RSPB Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre offers excellent viewing. Beyond seabirds, you might spot peregrine falcons, Irish hares, and seals at Mill Bay. The island also holds historical significance, with connections to Robert the Bruce and Guglielmo Marconi, who sent the first wireless telegraph message from here in 1898. This trail offers a tranquil escape, especially the quieter Roonivoolin section, providing a sense of remoteness.