Black Hill

About Black Hill

Rising quietly above the north Antrim coast near Ballycastle, this peat-covered Hump offers a straightforward moorland walk. While the terrain is often boggy, the reward is a specific and clear perspective over Rathlin Island and the rounded bulk of nearby Knocklayde, with the Scottish Paps of Jura visible on brighter days.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is likely a translation of the Irish Cnoc Dubh, a common descriptor for hills where dark heather and exposed peat create a somber silhouette against the brighter green of the surrounding coastal pastures.
• •From the summit, the view northeast is dominated by the massive basalt cliffs of Fair Head, while the North Channel stretches out to show the distinct outline of the Mull of Kintyre on the Scottish horizon.
• •The hill is located within the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering a much lonelier, wilder experience than the crowded tourist hubs of the nearby Giant’s Causeway.
• •The classification as a 'Hump' is particularly apt here; it describes both the physical profile of the hill and the likely mood of any hiker who underestimates the suction power of the summit's peat hags after a week of rain.