Fair Head, in Irish An Bhinn Mhór, "the great cliff", rises about 200 metres above the sea east of Ballycastle and runs for some five kilometres. The top 100 metres are a sheer face of dolerite shaped into columns like organ pipes, formed 60 million years ago when molten rock forced its way between older sediments. It is one of the best traditional climbing and bouldering areas in the British Isles, with one of the largest concentrations of extreme-grade routes.
For walkers the clifftop is the attraction: wide views to Rathlin Island and Scotland, wild goats on the rocks below, and the Grey Man's Path, which winds around the rugged foot of the cliffs. Inland, an Iron Age crannóg sits in the middle of Lough na Cranagh. The land is private farmland and access is by the goodwill of the farmers, so keep to paths, close gates, and keep dogs on leads. Stay well back from the edge in wind.