Glenariff Forest Park, near Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Ess-Na-Larach Waterfall
Waterside landscape
Place photograph
6.3
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
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Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.3A double cascade drops through a wooded gorge in Glenariff, where a waterfall walk first opened in 1889 to bring day-trippers into the glen.
The draw here is the close-up drama: a double cascade, steep gorge walls and woodland, reached by a boardwalk route that links several waterfalls. It is a particularly rewarding stop after rain, when the falls are in fuller flow.
Atmospheric · Dramatic · Wild
Find your way
Open mapGlenariff Forest Park, near Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Visit for a short waterfall circuit through Glenariff’s wooded gorge. The described loop passes three falls, including Ess-na-Larach; the boardwalk brings walkers close to the cascades, with steps and steep sections along the way.
Things to do
Follow the waterfall loop
Take the roughly 3 km loop described from the main car park, through mixed woodland on an elevated boardwalk. The route passes three falls and includes steps and steep sections.
30 minutes–1 hour
See the double cascade
Pause at Ess-na-Larach, described as a double drop on the Glenariff River. The gorge and boardwalk bring the route close to the water.
Look for the other falls in the glen
The described loop also passes Ess-na-Crub and a final drop referred to as Mare’s Tail or Hermit’s Fall.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 30 minutes–1 hour
Quick waterfall escape
- 01
Start from the main car park.
- 02
Follow the described waterfall loop through the wooded gorge.
- 03
Pause at Ess-na-Larach to see the double cascade, then continue past the other falls before returning.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of the glen
- 01
Walk the roughly 3 km waterfall loop, allowing time for the steps and steep sections.
- 02
Take time at the three falls named on the route: Ess-na-Crub, Ess-na-Larach and Mare’s Tail or Hermit’s Fall.
- 03
Finish with a break at Laragh Lodge, described as trading near the top of the walk; check ahead before relying on it.
Verified history
The waterfall walk opened to the public in 1889, laid out by the Belfast & Northern Counties Railway to bring day-trippers into the glen. An Ess-na-Larach Tea House opened at the top in 1891; the source describes Laragh Lodge as its successor on the same spot.
Folklore & legend
The name Ess-na-Larach is usually interpreted as “fall of the mare”, but the specific story behind the name is described as uncertain. Treat this as a name interpretation, not a verified legend.
Hidden details
A waterfall walk with railway-era origins — The route was laid out by the Belfast & Northern Counties Railway and opened in 1889 as a way to bring day-trippers into the glen.
The tea-house connection — An Ess-na-Larach Tea House opened at the top of the walk in 1891. Laragh Lodge is described as its successor on the same spot.
When to go
October · November · December · January · February · Early morning is suggested for light through the canopy. After rainfall is the better bet for fuller water flow.
The waterfall is described as more impressive in autumn and winter, when river levels tend to be higher. Flow depends on recent weather.
After heavy rain the waterfall can be in fuller flow, but the boardwalk route has steps and steep sections. Check weather and path conditions before visiting.
The route
- surface
- Elevated boardwalk through mixed woodland, according to the supplied source.
- distance
- Roughly 3 km loop, according to the supplied source.
- duration
- 30 minutes–1 hour, according to the supplied source.
- difficulty
- Described as easy, but steps and steep sections may make it harder for very young children or people unsteady on their feet.
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- Main car park, according to the supplied source.
- parking start
- The supplied source describes the loop as starting from the main car park; confirm current arrangements before visiting.
- Ess-na-Crub
- Ess-na-Larach double cascade
- Mare’s Tail or Hermit’s Fall
- Wooded gorge and boardwalk
Worth pairing with
Laragh Lodge
Described as trading near the top of the waterfall walk, on the site of the former Ess-na-Larach Tea House. Check opening arrangements before planning a stop.
What to look for
Look for the double drop of Ess-na-Larach, the wooded gorge around the cascade and the other falls on the circuit. The name is commonly interpreted as “fall of the mare”, but the story behind it is uncertain.
The story
Industry
Best time to go
Autumn and winter are recommended for stronger water flow; check conditions after heavy rain.
After rainfall, when the river is more likely to be in fuller flow. Early morning is suggested for light through the canopy; check weather and path conditions before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Families
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The waterfall is described as part of a waymarked waterfall walk in Glenariff Forest Park. One source describes a roughly 3 km loop from the main car park; check current access and conditions before visiting. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
Check before visiting
Parking
A source describes the waterfall walk as a loop from the main car park. Confirm current parking arrangements before travelling.
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Laragh Lodge is described as trading near the top of the waterfall walk; check opening arrangements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The described route uses an elevated boardwalk, but includes steps and steep sections. It may be challenging for very young children or anyone unsteady on their feet; check current conditions and suitability before setting out.
Check before visiting
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
River; Waterfall
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Ess-Na-Larach Waterfall
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
