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Carnkirk Castle

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsInsects
Dogs welcome

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
  • Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • 🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

6 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Starling, Robin, Wren +67 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Starling, Robin, Wren +67 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Green-veined White, Ringlet, Speckled Wood +70 more · last seen 2024; Insects — Green-veined White, Ringlet, Speckled Wood +70 more · last seen 2024

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Himalayan Balsam, Eyebright, Thrift +41 more · last seen 2024; Plants — Himalayan Balsam, Eyebright, Thrift +41 more · last seen 2024

Free

Heritage

Historic site

Free

Mushroom foraging

Fungi — Choke · last seen 2016; Fungi — Choke · last seen 2016

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

6 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Ulster WayWalking route1000 km

A series of walking routes which encircles Northern Ireland.

Named routeLength 1000 kmRound tripNational walking route
Causeway Coast WayWalking route53 km
Named routeLength 53 kmRegional walking route
Green Trail, Giant's CausewayWalking route700 m

Accessible trail with views of the Giant's Causeway along the way and on most days you can see Scotland and the Inishowen Peninsula. Compacted path with some loose bits of aggregate, steep in places and tarmac road.

Named routeLength 700 mDuration 00:30Point-to-pointLocal walking route
Blue Trail, Giant's CausewayWalking route1.2 km

Formal hard-core footpath with kerbstones, steep gradient in places, some rest stops with seats. The causeway stones can be slippery and dangerous when wet – always heed the advice of our rangers. There are also occasional rock falls.

Named routeLength 1.2 kmDuration 00:30Point-to-pointLocal walking route
Red Trail, Giant's CausewayWalking route3.7 km

Formal path, hard core gravel surfaces, uneven in places, single track in places, 162 steep stone steps ('Shepherd's Steps') with handrail, uneven and with various depths. Please be aware of unfenced cliff edges, high winds, steep steps and rock falls.

Named routeLength 3.7 kmDuration 01:00Round tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

7 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
National Cycle Network National Route 93Cycling route

"National Route 93 of the National Cycle Network is formed of sections of traffic-free route between Derry and Larne." (most of the route was de-designated in Summer 2020)

Named routeRef 93Point-to-pointNational Cycle Network
Causeway Coast cycle routeCycling route

"This stunning 23-mile cycle route runs along the North Atlantic coast from Castlerock to the Giant's Causeway via Coleraine and takes in part of National Cycle Network Route 93. "

Named routeLocal cycle route
Main RouteCycling route60 m
Named routeRef 93Length 60 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route214 m
Named routeRef 93Length 214 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route482 m
Named routeRef 93Length 482 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route451 m
Named routeRef 93Length 451 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

Photos

C9542 : Sheep and Lamb at Carnkirk

C9542 : Sheep and Lamb at Carnkirk

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