A Guide to the Gobbins Cliff Path
Bridge 1
One of three new bridges built in the 2016 redevelopment. It spans an inlet where the waves crash among a field of glacial boulders.
Bridge 2
The second of the three new bridges. It connects two headlands on either side of a narrow crevasse, where nesting birds roost among spleenwort and kidney vetch.
Sandy Cave
The Tubular Bridge
The Tubular Bridge’s unusual design made it the symbol of the cliff path. It features in more 20th century postcards – and 21st-century social media posts – than any of The Gobbins’ other features.
Man O' War
Volcanic eruptions formed the Gobbins, but the Man O’War didn’t quite make it to the surface. It solidified underground, and the sea has since washed the surrounding rock away. It reminded early visitors of a battleship from the age of sail.
The Gallery
This elevated pathway edges around The Gobbins’ sheerest cliff and was recognised as a remarkable engineering achievement in its day.
The Aquarium
The Tunnel
This eerie passage is carved through a basalt outcrop and takes you below sea level. You can hear the boom of the sea reverberating through the walls.
Spleenwort Cave
Tendrils of delicate, bright green leaves fill the crevices of this mysterious cave. These Sea Spleenwort ferns were a favourite of 19th-century collectors.
Otter Cave
A landslip cascading into the sea now covers the entrance to Otter Cave. Early visitors found deer, ox, sheep, dog, rabbit and bird skeletons deep inside. They speculated that hungry (and fierce!) sea otters had left them there.
Bridge 3
The last of the three new bridges carries you around the last headland and into a wide cove overlooked by sheer cliffs.
The Swinging Bridge
Gordons Leap
Clifftop Viewpoint
Venture out to the viewpoint to take in views of the Seven Sisters caves, the submerged Kraken Cave and Heddles Port.
Want to learn more about the Gobbins story?
Bridge 1
One of three new bridges built in the 2016 redevelopment. It spans an inlet where the waves crash among a field of glacial boulders.
Bridge 2
The second of the three new bridges. It connects two headlands on either side of a narrow crevasse, where nesting birds roost among spleenwort and kidney vetch.
Sandy Cave
The Tubular Bridge
Man O' War
Volcanic eruptions formed the Gobbins, but the Man O’War didn’t quite make it to the surface. It solidified underground, and the sea has since washed the surrounding rock away. It reminded early visitors of a battleship from the age of sail.
The Gallery
This elevated pathway edges around The Gobbins’ sheerest cliff and was recognised as a remarkable engineering achievement in its day.
The Aquarium
The Tunnel
This eerie passage is carved through a basalt outcrop and takes you below sea level. You can hear the boom of the sea reverberating through the walls.
Spleenwort Cave
Tendrils of delicate, bright green leaves fill the crevices of this mysterious cave. These Sea Spleenwort ferns were a favourite of 19th-century collectors.
Otter Cave
A landslip cascading into the sea now covers the entrance to Otter Cave. Early visitors found deer, ox, sheep, dog, rabbit and bird skeletons deep inside. They speculated that hungry (and fierce!) sea otters had left them there.
Bridge 3
The last of the three new bridges carries you around the last headland and into a wide cove overlooked by sheer cliffs.
The Swinging Bridge
Gordons Leap
Clifftop Viewpoint
Venture out to the viewpoint to take in views of the Seven Sisters caves, the submerged Kraken Cave and Heddles Port.
Want to learn more about the Gobbins story?
