Carrick-a-Rede

Carrick-a-Rede Review

Adrenalin junkies love the rope bridge—off the coast at Ballintoy in Larrybane—which spans a 60-foot gap between the mainland and tiny Carrick-a-Rede Island. The island's name means "rock in the road" and refers to how it stands in the path of the salmon that follow the coast as they migrate to their home rivers to spawn. The bridge is open to the public daily, weather permitting. More than 265,000 visitors cross it (or at least take a look at it) each year, looking down on heart-stopping views of the crashing waves 100 feet below. For an exhilarating cliff-top experience, the rope bridge walk is hard to beat. In 2012 the island's small two-roomed Fishermen's Cottage, where they mended nets and kept materials, was restored and opened to the public. The whole area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its unique geology, flowers, and fauna.

Hour-long guided tours take in the bridge and cottage and have priority—best to book in advance.