The Dark Hedges, the Game of Thrones avenue

The Dark Hedges are an avenue of centuries-old beech trees in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, whose gnarled branches intertwine above the road to form a natural tunnel. This country lane became one of the most photographed places on the island of Ireland after appearing in the series Game of Thrones. At dawn in the mist, or at sunset when the light filters through the twisted trunks, the atmosphere is truly enchanted.

History

Around 1775 the Stuart family built a large Georgian house, Gracehill House, and planted an avenue of about 150 beech trees along the approach road to impress visitors arriving at the estate. Two and a half centuries later, the trees have grown into a gallery, with protruding roots and branches stretching out like arms. According to local legend, at night a Grey Lady wanders among the beeches, a spirit gliding silently along the avenue.

In 2012 the road was chosen for the second season of Game of Thrones, where it represented the Kingsroad along which Arya Stark flees. Since then visitors have arrived by the hundreds of thousands. To protect the trees, the road was closed to traffic in 2017. Age and storms, however, have brought down many beeches: today about half remain, and a preservation trust looks after their conservation and the planting of new trees.

What to see

The avenue

The avenue, along the Bregagh Road, can be walked in a few minutes. The best spots for photographs are the two ends, from which you see the tunnel of branches in its entirety. In spring and summer the leaves form a green roof, in autumn they turn copper, and in winter the bare branches draw twisted shapes that make the place even more eerie. Remember that these are old, fragile trees: do not climb on them or stand on the roots.

Gracehill House

At the end of the avenue stands Gracehill House, the house for which it was planted, now used as a golf club and not open as a museum.

Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland was the main location for the series. As well as the Dark Hedges, you can visit Ballintoy harbour, Dunluce Castle, Tollymore Forest in the Mourne Mountains and the Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, home to the official exhibition with costumes and sets.

Practical information

The avenue is always accessible and free. The road is closed to cars: park at the Hedges Hotel, a few minutes' walk away. In the middle of summer days many organised coach tours arrive. There is no regular public transport, so you need a car or a tour.

Getting there

• By car: about 15 minutes from Ballycastle and an hour from Belfast, near the village of Armoy.
• On a tour: many coach trips from Belfast along the Causeway Coast include a stop.
• By air: Belfast International Airport is about 50 minutes away.

Nearby

• The Giant's Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
• Ballycastle, with its harbour and ferries to Rathlin Island.
• Dunluce Castle and the Bushmills distillery.

Tips

• How long: half an hour to an hour.
• When to go: all year round; at dawn or sunset for the best light and to avoid the crowds.
• A tip: arrive before nine in the morning: with a little luck you will find the avenue empty and a light mist among the trunks.

Dark Hedges on the map

Nearby