Rathlin Island: Church Bay, Mill Bay and the Roonivoolin cliffs

From the ferry terminal at Church Bay, the island's main road runs south along the shore past Mill Bay to a gravel track that climbs east to the RSPB's Roonivoolin reserve. The paths there loop over the cliff-top grassland above the sea, with the Antrim coast across the water. The way back is the same road.

It is 6.8 km there and back with 94 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy: a quiet tarmac road, then track and gravel path with a gentle rise to the cliff tops. Tourism listings give the Roonivoolin Walk as about 4 miles (6.4 km) and the paths in OpenStreetMap do not join up into a loop, so this line goes out and back.

Rathlin is reached only by boat from Ballycastle, so the walk has to be fitted round the sailings. Rathlin Ferry says all sailings are at the skipper's discretion, subject to weather and other conditions: the passenger boat, Kintra II, takes about 30 minutes and cannot take luggage, and vehicles are not permitted on the island unless set criteria are met. The operator's timetable page lists an adult fare of £8.40 each way. Leave time for the last boat back. The cliff tops are exposed: keep to the paths and away from the edge, especially in wind.

Many island facilities and businesses are seasonal only, says Rathlin Ferry. No shop, café or bus is relied on here.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.