UKC

Climbs 448
Rocktype Dolerite
Altitude 111m a.s.l
Faces N

View Stats

Rainbow over Fair Head © bugs29

Crag features

The massive dolerite sill of Fair Head is one of the best crags in Britain and Ireland. Located at the northeastern tip of Antrim, it gives an impressive outlook to Rathlin Island and the Mull of Kintyre, and offers many outstanding routes at every grade from VS to E9. In the E2-E5 range there are more than 100 ** or *** routes.

The most popular routes are the shorter and more easily accessed at either end of the main cliff. The most frequently visited of all are the excellent single-pitch lines on the Prow, and the routes in the Rathlin Wall area, both of which receive afternoon sun. The tall north-facing walls in the middle of the crag see less traffic, but are highly recommended to the more adventurous visitor.

As is the nature of a north-facing dolerite crag, on routes that have not been climbed for a while it is worth abseiling the line to clear out cracks, brush lichen and remove any flakes that have come loose.

Approach notes

There are a few different parking options depending on which part of the crag you're aiming for. Sean's farm car park at the Ballycastle end asks for a donation, while the signposted National Trust car park is a better option for routes approached by the Grey Man's Path. The approach walk to the top of the main crag from either is about 15 minutes. The eastern end of the crag can be approached from the Murlough Bay car park. The two descent options to the base of the crag on foot are by the Ballycastle Descent Gully or Grey Man's Path. Walking along the base of the crag for any distance is not recommended (it is possible but time-consuming and seriously unpleasant), so for routes in the middle a 100m abseil rope is handy.

The coordinates for the abseil/rappel block for each section are as follows:

No Access Issues

Rarely a problem with any nesting birds on routes. Increasingly popular with tourists, some of whom may be spotted posing in Game of Thrones get-up. The land is owned by the National Trust (Murlough Bay) and Sean McBride, who has been very generous and supportive of climbers over the years.

There are no comments from visitors to this crag.
Login as Existing User to add your comments

Climbs at this crag

Name Grade Stars Type Logs Partner Ascents
Please Login or Register to log routes or add them to your wishlist
These climbs you have climbed clean.
These climbs you have climbed by seconding or top-roping.
These climbs you have Dogged.
These climbs you Did not Finish.
Climbs are waiting to be checked by a crag moderator, and may not be accurate. Climbs can't be verified by a crag moderator, and they need more information to confirm it. Climbs are no longer climbable.

Moderators Updates to this page are checked by UKC volunteers Andy Moles and MichealMurphy

Loading Notifications...