Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: Thrilling and Beautiful

The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is one of the most thrilling experiences in Northern Ireland. Do you have the courage to walk across this swaying rope bridge? Cross to Carrickarede Island…if you dare!

The remote lands beyond the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge beckon you to trek to the other side. Comprised of rope and wooden planks that gently swing back and forth in the breeze, it’s a thrilling journey to navigate.

If you only have the opportunity to make a couple of stops on the Causeway Coastal Route, I highly recommend that you make the trip to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. It will surely top your list of where to go in Northern Ireland.

The Causeway Coastal Route runs along the coast of Northern Ireland, between Belfast and Derry, on the Antrim Coast. We managed to drive the entire route in a day, although you should try to take a couple of days there to absorb your surroundings more slowly.

We started our day with an early morning departure from Belfast, stopping at the Dark Hedges, Kinbane Castle, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Ballintoy Harbour, Dunseverick Castle, the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Downhill Demesne, and lastly, stopping for the night in Derry.

Getting There

As of May 2022, the only way to visit the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is by travelling there yourself. The attraction is no longer accepting group tours of any kind. This may change in the future, but it’s best right now to rent a car and drive there on your own.

If you embark on a self-drive tour of Northern Ireland like we did, you have the most flexibility to see the sights when you like. I recommend pre-booking your trip and visiting the Carrick-a-Rede Rope BRidge earlier in the morning for the least crowded experience.

I picked up my rental car in Dublin and used that car to take a road trip all over Ireland. You may choose to pick up your rental car in Belfast. Compare car hire prices and find the best rates on rental cars in Belfast here. Here’s where you can search for all rental cars in Ireland, too.

Where to Stay Near the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

If you’re embarking on a road trip of Ireland, consider spending the night in Belfast before or after your trip around the Causeway Coastal Route. I had a very restful night’s sleep at my accommodation, the Clayton Hotel Belfast.

More Places to Stay Near the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

A Brief History of the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Did you know that fishermen used bridges to make this crossing for over 350 years? Carrickarede Island was once the best place to catch salmon. As fish migration patterns have changed, it’s no longer a prime fishing location. Now, this island purely attracts those in love with nature, travel, and adventure.

Fishermen have constructed many bridges over time, with some being safer than others. In the 1970s, the bridge had sizable gaps between the wooden planks and only one handrail. There were a few new constructs throughout the 2000s, with the most recent bridge secured in 2008.

Visiting the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Back when we visited the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, we arrived as early as possible, practically at opening time to ensure that it wouldn’t be too busy. Only one person is allowed to cross the bridge at a time, which can create lengthy line-ups on either side of the bridge crossing.

On a weekday in late September, it was not busy at all early in the morning, but we knew this would change as the day went on. Give yourself about an hour to an hour and a half at the site, provided that there aren’t any delays.

As of 2022, you must pre-book your tickets in advance. A ticket includes reserved parking, crossing the bridge, and access to all of the facilities. You can visit for free if you’re a National Trust member; otherwise, you’ll need to pay a fee to visit.

Booking your tickets in advance will help avoid disappointment or delays if you arrive at a busier time. Furthermore, pre-booking helps reduce crowds and wait times. Pre-book your ticket on the National Trust website.

Walking Towards the Bridge

After my travel buddy, Ashley and I purchased our tickets, we enjoyed a coastal stroll down a scenic path towards the rope bridge. It was a joy to pass adorable sheep and cows, grazing the fields of neighbouring pastures.

The seaside views were quite spectacular, from the deep blue waters to the faraway expanse, Rathlin Island. Carrickarede Island gradually emerged into sight, growing closer. The jaunt from the parking lot to the bridge takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Suspended 100 feet in the air and merely 65 feet in length, it’s all about savouring your adventure across the rope bridge. While I didn’t find it to be that scary, it’s a thrilling experience to look down at the crashing waves through the wooden slats.

Even though I loved my walk across the bridge, a small percentage of visitors are too scared to make the return trip back across and have to be rescued by boat. Don’t worry, I didn’t come across any frightened guests on my trip. Everyone was too busy admiring the exceptionally beautiful views. It simply tops the list of bucket list places in Northern Ireland for gorgeous landscapes.

Carrickarede Island

Carrickarede Island is the best instance of a volcanic plug in Northern Ireland. It’s a volcanic object created from magma hardening within the vent of a volcano. This lava neck protrudes from the surface of the ocean due to marine erosion.

When you venture out to the island, find your own little peaceful moments. Breathe in the refreshing, salty air. It doesn’t take long to explore every corner of this small stretch of land, although you might find yourself becoming lost in your spectacular surroundings.

I looked off to one particular island in my periphery and imagined how I would reach it. If I arrived by boat, would I manage to climb the jagged, rocky cliffs to the grassy top? Does anyone frequent this dreamy destination? I love visiting corners of the earth where I leave with more questions than answers.

Get Your Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge Certificate

Early that morning, we got a tip from the front desk staff at the Clayton Hotel Belfast. After you complete the journey across the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and back, you can pick up a really neat little souvenir. Back at the ticket booth, we both purchased personalized certificates for a nominal fee (I believe it was £1) to demonstrate that you braved the bridge.

More Things to Do on the Causeway Coastal Route

The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge may be one of your first stops on the Causeway Coastal Route if you’re travelling from Belfast. However, there are many other fantastic attractions along the way. Here are a few of my favourite road trip stops on the Causeway Coastal Route that you need to experience, too.

Kinbane Castle

Between Ballycastle and Ballintoy Harbour, stop to discover the ruins of Kinbane Castle. While there isn’t too much left of the castle itself, its magical surroundings are worth the trek. You can hike up to the castle and the headland for sweeping views of the dramatic cliffs all around. It’s isolated, mountainous, and brilliant.

Ballintoy Harbour

Just after visiting the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, you’ll venture towards Ballintoy Harbour near Ballycastle. Go for a walk along the beach to admire the scenery. The bay is very calm as it’s sheltered by the nearby basalt islands.

With a population under 200, this sleepy fishing village grew in popularity after its appearance in the HBO series, Game of Thrones. If you’re a fan of the show, you might remember this scenery as the Kingdom of Pyke and the Iron Islands of Westeros. The nearby town of Ballycastle is a great place to stop for lunch.

White Park Bay

Just after Ballintoy Harbour, we stopped to check out a scenic view of White Park Bay. When I return in the future, and perhaps with more time on my side, I’d love to hike between Ballintoy Harbour and White Park Bay Beach. There are hiking trails all along the Causeway Coastal Route. While a road trip allowed us to cover a lot of ground in a day, exploring the region more slowly would be a wonderful experience, too.

Dunseverick Castle

Near the tiny village of Dunseverick, Dunseverick Castle is a historic monument on top of an imposing peninsula. While many royal families owned it over the centuries, this castle was destroyed by General Robert Munro in 1642. A residential tower stood tall until 1978, but it crumbled and plummeted down to the sea below. The ruins of the gate lodge are all that remain.

The Giant’s Causeway

Perhaps the most famous stop on the Causeway Coastal Route, Giant’s Causeway is an impressive terrain to explore. This famous site consists of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns of varying heights. Giant’s Causeway formed after an ancient volcanic eruption, although there’s a local legend involving a duel between giants that ultimately created these hexagonal rocks.

Dunluce Castle

Dunluce Castle is the site of medieval castle ruins in Northern Ireland. Surrounded by steep cliffs, it functioned as a home and a strategically placed fort. The ruins are largely in tact, with only a section of the kitchen collapsing into the sea. Wander around the castle grounds, take a trip to the top of the tower ruins, and soak up the stunning views all around.

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