Cross Slieve

The walk up Cross Slieve from Ballycastle is properly steep, but the summit rewards you with views that stretch across to Rathlin Island and back towards the Glens. It's a straightforward ascent - nothing technical, just relentless - and takes most people around ninety minutes up, a bit less coming down if your knees cooperate.

You get real moorland walking here, the kind where the wind can knock you sideways on a bad day. The peak itself sits at over 1,000 feet, so there's genuine height involved despite the modest-sounding name. On clear days you can pick out the Scottish coast, though that's rare enough to feel like a proper bonus.

This one's for walkers who actually want a walk, not a stroll. Families with capable kids will manage it fine, but expecting a leisurely potter is setting yourself up for disappointment. The terrain is rough underfoot in places and there's exposure on the ridge, so it demands respect and decent boots.

If you're staying at Watertop Farm - which sits just five miles away and has a cracking reputation - this makes an excellent morning or afternoon outing. The Causeway Coast route takes you right past here, so it's easy to slot into a broader day exploring the area. Allow three hours all in, longer if you want to sit and properly take in the views. Go early to avoid the afternoon cloud that rolls in regularly.