The most beautiful natural sites to discover County Antrim

A Unesco World Heritage Site, Giant's Causeway is Northern Ireland's best-known natural landmark and one of the island's most popular tourist attractions. It's a world-renowned natural wonder, featured on the cover of many guidebooks to the region, that won't disappoint. Come early to avoid the crowds.

The legend: "When the world was created and fashioned out of a shapeless mass, this is what was left of it: remnants of chaos." The words are those of novelist William Thackeray. For the early Irish, this sorcery had only one explanation: it was the work of a giant, Finn McCool, commander of the King of Ireland's armies. Finn was a very powerful man, capable of incredible feats of strength. His greatest rival was the Scottish giant Benandonner. To fight him, Finn invited him and built a road so that his enemy could not avoid the fight. But when the latter arrived, the Irishman realized that he was far bigger and stronger than he was. He asked his wife for advice. She disguised him as a baby, and when Benandonner entered, he saw the enormous child and imagined the size of the father. He took fright and ran back to Scotland, destroying the pavement behind him...

The site: a spectacular modification of the coastline following a basalt eruption several million years ago, now frozen into 40,000 columns. It's impossible not to stand in awe of this imbrication of stones as black as lava and as ochre as Tuscan slab, stretching out over the sea. At once rust-tinted steps, salt-capped thrones and columns marbled by the forces of the sea, all carved and adjusted by a master surveyor whose essence is not human, it's hard not to marvel at these otherworldly places and the dizzying cliffs that surround them. It makes you feel very small in the face of such a strange and impressive natural wonder.

Visiting tips: in high season, the site is very busy, so avoid it between 11am and 3pm. Admission includes parking, an audioguide and entry to the visitor center, where you can learn more about the history of the site and the phenomenon. If you find the ticket a little expensive and don't plan to stay very long, park further up or down the road and then walk back around the visitor center to the Causeway Hotel side: pedestrian access to the site itself is free. Another option is to follow the Causeway Path hiking trail, which follows the entire coastline of the region and takes 2-3 days to complete. Of course, you'll have to walk on the basalt columns, have fun climbing them and enjoy this unique and magical place. But to fully appreciate the scale of the site, take the elevated path that winds its way along the cliffs just above the Giant's Causeway, and get a real sense of the extraordinary nature of the phenomenon.

Visitor Centre: the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre is ultra-modern and ecologically responsible. With its glass walls, basalt columns, state-of-the-art interior and green roof offering 360-degree views of the coastline, it's a must-see. A shuttle bus can take you from the Visitor Centre to the Giant's Causeway, but walking is recommended.

Torr Head: from Cushendun, follow the Scenic Coastal Road towards Ballycastle. The route is quite narrow, so caution is required. In fine weather, it's an enchantment for your eyes. It seems that we are alone at the end of the world and we see, on the whole, Scotland, the Mull of Kintyre and the island of Islay. Once you arrive at Torr Head, you have to park the car and walk a few minutes to the headland and its post of ruined coast guards, where the viewpoint on the cliffs, the countryside and the coastline is absolutely magnificent.

Fair Head: more to the northwest and following Fairhead Road, we arrive at the parking lot before these stunning cliffs. You will have to follow a trail about a few hundred meters on foot to reach its impressive rocks, which plunge into the sea from their 180 m. The views on the horizon are breathtaking. Here too, we need to be careful on the road. To have an idea of the vastness of Fair Head, you can also admire the panorama from Ballycastle.

This superb bucolic bay with perfect curves unfolds languorously at the exit of the village of Ballintoy. The azure of the sea licks the immense white sand beach which is itself bordered by a gigantic mosaic of green grass and scrub... The site, which runs for 2.5 kilometers is visible from the main road. It is one of the wonders of this region, as much for its geological, botanical and archaeological particularities. You will have understood it, Whitepark Bay, it is a delicious stroll in perspective.

This pleasant peninsula is located north of Carrickfergus and reaches the port of Larne. The atmosphere is special and typical, apart from the rest of the country, although it is not an island. In the north, a ferry for Larne navigue every hour in the summer. The Muck Island, off the Mini mini port, is home to the largest site of bird nesting in Northern Ireland. The coast and its basaltic cliffs (the Gobbins) were the place of a sordid event in 1641, when the English soldiers of the Carrickfergus garrison threw the inhabitants into the sea. A very pleasant beach is located in the north (Brown Bay) and various walks are possible from the Whitehead car park. From the coast, we have a magnificent view of Belfast from Blackhead Path and its lighthouse. You should not miss Gobbins Cliff Path, which allows you to discover the beautiful cliffs of the peninsula.

The Glenariff Forest Park covers 1 185 ha and is famous for its postcard, Servicio-Na-Laragh. It is less than 1 km from the entrance, after a wooden path that winds over the river. Other routes are marked (4 paths up to 9 km) in the humid forest rich in biodiversity, alternating gorges and valleys, waterfalls and rocks. Departure also from the Moyle Way which crosses the mountain to Ballycastle (25 km).

On the south-east coast of the village, just a little hundred meters from the last houses, these caves formed more than 400 million years ago. There is a small way to go and the fans of the Game game Game of Thrones will take a look at it, as it was one of the shooting sites in Northern Ireland.

Located in the heart of West Belfast, Colin Glen Forest Park is the city's green lung (100 ha), comprising woodland and meadow, waterfalls and ponds set around a river and undulating ground rich in biodiversity. Small paths lead to both sides, with explanations on the vegetation, birds and fauna related to a wet environment) along the way. Legends and myths are rooted in these woods along the river. An interesting idea for a walk with children.

Just 20 minutes from the city center is this unspoiled and protected natural area with its caves and cliffs, its biodiversity and prehistoric sites, its circular fort and its hill that is said to resemble Napoleon's nose! Cave Hill is 368 meters high and, on a clear day, it is possible to see the Mourne Mountains, Strangford Lough and the important buildings of Belfast. For walks, there are signposts from the castle parking lot. It is possible to walk to the zoo, the castle and Cave Hill.

Loughareema is quite incredible geological and natural curiosity: there are three streams thrown into this lake without ever having their water re-surfaced. If one likes to believe that they volatilize, the scientific explanation is that they are absorbed into the soil by calcareous cracks. In the event of heavy rains the level increases still, but then disappears gradually… as by enchantment. The site is visible from the road and a trail is approaching as close as possible.

This forest is found at the end of Toberwine Street, from the village. An old stone porch in the mark and nice walks are possible.

In the village of Ballyronan, the harbour is complemented by a picnic area, a children's garden, a beach, a restaurant, and campsites and caravans.

One of the very pretty and hidden waterfalls of the Antrim region, far from the tourists. From the car park it is accessible after only five minutes of walking. A green setting and an impressive waterfall. Be careful, the surroundings are very slippery. The view of the waterfall from the small bridge is superb. Arm your devices!

A nice walk along an old railway track. The setting is very picturesque, quiet and far from the crowd. We overlook Carnlough and its bay from the road. The walk takes place in a typically Irish environment, amidst green grass, brooms and sheep. Then, after half an hour's walk, we reach the waterfall, buried in the middle of lush vegetation. A charming walk.