Rope bridge
Over a sea chasm.
Diliff — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Giorgio Galeotti — CC BY 4.0 · Giorgio Galeotti — CC BY 4.0 · Giorgio Galeotti — CC BY 4.0 · Tony Webster from Portland, Oregon, United States — CC BY 2.0
The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a rope bridge near the village of Ballintoy on the north coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, about 7 km in a straight line west of the town of Ballycastle. It links the mainland to the small rocky island of Carrickarede. The bridge spans 20 m over a sea chasm and hangs 30 m above the rocks and waves below. Salmon fishermen have been building bridges to the island for more than 350 years to reach their fishing spots, and its Irish name means «rock of the casting». The present bridge is made of rope and wooden planks with mesh sides, and it is owned and maintained by the National Trust. Visitors reach the bridge along a clifftop path about 1 km long, with views of Rathlin Island and, on clear days, the Scottish coast. The little island has grass, rocks and seabirds, and looks down on the turquoise water around it. A fee is charged to cross, booking ahead is wise in summer, and the bridge may close in stormy weather. The Giant's Causeway is about 15 km to the west.
Over a sea chasm.
Along the cliffs.
On the horizon.
Near Ballintoy, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Booking ahead is wise in summer.
It may close in stormy weather.