Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the Causeway Coast

A Rope Suspension Bridge About 20 M Long And 30 M Above The Sea Linking The Mainland To A Small Island, Originally Put Up By Salmon Fishermen, Now National Trust Owned And Ticketed In Timed Slots. Part Of The Causeway Coast And Glens Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty. · Ballintoy, Northern Ireland

Carrick-a-Rede is a rope footbridge about 20 m long that hangs roughly 30 m above the sea and links the County Antrim mainland to a small rocky island. Salmon fishermen first put up a bridge here centuries ago to reach the fishery. Today the National Trust owns it, and entry is by timed ticket slot, which must be booked ahead in season. The walk from the car park is about 1 km each way along a cliff path with steps, and the crossing itself takes a minute or two with a handrail rope. It is short and the bridge feels more nervy than dangerous, but that is the whole attraction, plus views of Rathlin Island and, on clear days, the Scottish coast. It is closed in high winds. The site is part of the Causeway Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and fits well with the Giant's Causeway, which is a separate UK row. Honest verdict: lovely coast, a small thrill, crowded in summer, and often shut or fully booked, so plan early.

Rope bridge and cliff path on the County Antrim coast near Ballintoy, with Rathlin Island visible across the water, a car park and a visitor building, about 12 km west of the Giant's Causeway, Ballintoy, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Carrick-a-Rede is open daily for most of the year with timed ticket slots, commonly from around morning to late afternoon, and shorter hours in winter, but exact times change by season, so confirm on the National Trust listing. In season, tickets must be booked ahead, and slots can sell out days before. The bridge is closed in high winds, rain squalls and ice, sometimes with no notice, and it can close for maintenance. The walk to the bridge has no lighting, so go in daylight. The car park and visitor building are open during the same hours, and the cafe and shop close early in winter.

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