Re-opened in July following a multi million pound restoration project, the Blackhead Path starts at the yacht club in the picturesque village of Whitehead and follows the coast to the lighthouse at Blackhead, an ancient volcanic plug. The lighthouse itself is listed, built as it was at the turn of the 20th century. It’s at the very northern end of Belfast Lough where it opens out into the North Channel that separates Northern Ireland and Scotland.
A walk along Blackhead Path
Blackhead Path is undoubtedly a beautiful walk, offering stunning views out to sea. The path is lined with greenery and wildflowers. And the locals are always keen to wish you a good morning as you walk by. Ahead of you, the lighthouse looms in the distance, occasionally shrouded by a descending mist.
Blackhead Lighthouse
Relatively flat at the outset, Blackhead Path changes character as you wind your way round the base of the headland towards the lighthouse. You feel the sea spray on your face as the water crashes in beneath you to the recesses of the caves beyond. On a blustery day, it certainly makes for a memorable and exhilarating experience.
On the approach to the lighthouse
From there, it’s a pretty steep flight of steps until you reach the lighthouse which is owned by the Commissioner for Irish Lights. It’s the general lighthouse authority for all of Ireland, its adjacent seas and islands.
Having reached the lighthouse, the views down Belfast Lough taking in Whitehead village are spectacular and well worth the climb.
On the day we visited Blackhead Path, one of the summer storms was just getting going. And feeling windswept and rather battered, we made our descent via another path back down to the relative calm of the shore. We completed our circuit within about 30 minutes or so. So the walk isn’t too long and you can venture into Whitehead afterwards for a coffee and a sit down !
Hope everyone is staying safe and well
Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely Sunday,
Paula x
Useful Links
You can learn more on the Discover Northern Ireland website here
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This looks like a stunning walk! Beautiful photos.
Thank you very much Pippin. Hope you are keeping well 🙂
A beautiful area and I am amazed at the quality of the footpath. It makes for an easy walk.
Yes the footpath certainly makes it much easier…until you get to the edge of the headland. Not so easy then !
Looks very atmospheric and dramatic in the mist. Lovely lighthouse too. X
Another one added to the list..well it’s really more of a small journal now!! 😉❤️❤️
Lol…think you’d need to stay a few months !
I know!! That would be ok with me…😁
Looks a beautiful walk even with the stormy skies. I can just imagine a flash of lightning happening any minute. X
I’d have loved that…not sure my husband would…lol 🙂
Looks like a fantastic walk and it always helps when it ends in a lighthouse!
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you Andrea. Its been a mad week at work with this virus. Yes it was a lovely walk..I wish I was back there now. I hope you are safe and well?
I am thanks.
I would love to be there to go for a walk. Thanks for the photos.
Thank you very much…its a lovely place for a wander 🙂