Whitehead - Blackhead Lighthouse Walk
This short circular walk visits the Blackhead Lighthouse located near Whitehead in County Antrim. The lighthouse sits in a splendid location at the northern end of Belfast Lough where it opens out into the North Channel that separates Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The walk starts near the small parking area at the lighthouse. From here you can pick up the Blackhead Path and follow it around the site for about 1 mile. It's a splendid cliff top path with excellent views in all directions.
The walk can be extend by continuing along the coast path to Whitehead. You could start the walk from the train station here and follow the cliff top path north to the site.
Postcode
BT38 9PB - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsBlackhead Lighthouse Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Blackhead Lighthouse Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The path was the precursor to the more dramatic Gobbins Cliff Path, a few miles further north along the coast.
Head towards Belfast and you can continue your walking in Redburn Country Park where there are fine views to Belfast Lough, Belfast Harbour, George Best City Airport, Belfast Castle and Cave Hill Country Park.
To the north west you can enjoy a climb to the popular Slemish Mountain. There's excellent views over the area from the summit of this viewpoint near Broughshane.
To the west there's the Woodburn Forest near Carrickfergus. Here you'll find miles of good woodland trails and a number of attractive reservoirs.
Also nearby is the Glenoe Waterfall. The picturesque falls are located in the pretty village of Glenoe in County Antrim. It's a fine place for a walk with pleasant trails taking you through peaceful woodland to the 30ft high waterfall.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Belfast Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Blackhead Lighthouse. Note; an unusual feature about the lighthouse is, the powerful light only shines towards Belfast Lough and the North Channel. This is because a member of the public living near the lighthouse complained about the powerful light lighting up his living room at night.
The Blackhead Path, near the lighthouse, Whitehead
The Blackhead (sometimes "Black Head") lighthouse is one of three in Belfast Lough. It was built in 1901 and the light was first exhibited in 1902. It has been an automatic unwatched light since 1975.
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Whitehead to Blackhead coastal path. From here on it starts to squeeze its way between the bottom of the cliffs (typical of this part of Co Antrim) and the waters of Belfast Lough. In 1917 the 4,000 tons "Chirripo", outbound from Belfast was sunk, just offshore, by German mines.
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On a clear day there would be a view to the Mull of Kintyre from here.
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The coast north of Whitehead
Berkeley Deane Wise plaque, Whitehead. Self-explanatory plaque commemorating Berkley Deane Wise architect and civil engineer to the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway. He also designed Carrickfergus station. The Blackhead Path walkway was developed by Berkeley Deane Wise, to help attract tourists to the town, and loops around the headland requiring bridges and two tunnels.
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Birdlife on the path.