Hell's Hole (Pólifreann) is a sheer sea chasm at Malin Head, Ireland's most northerly point, where the Atlantic surges into a hidden cavern with a roar you hear before you see it. A short clifftop trail from Banba's Crown leads there past Star Wars filming ground and unfenced cliff drops.
A subterranean cavern into which the tide rushes with tremendous force — you will hear it long before you see it. A path leads to a ledge overlooking the chasm; the cliffs are unfenced and the drop is significant, so keep well back.
The purpose-built clifftop path runs from Banba's Crown to Hell's Hole: 570-655m one way, 20-30 minutes each way, moderate grade with about 150m of height gain. It is marked with brown fingerpost and Slí na Sláinte signs; dogs on leads are allowed.
Stand at the very top of Ireland beside the 1805 Napoleonic signal tower, later Lloyd's of London's weather station. On a clear day pick out Inishtrahull Island to the northeast and the Scottish Hebrides to the east.
Just past the tower is one of Ireland's best-preserved World War II neutrality markers: 'EIRE 80' spelled out in white stones on the ground, restored and very photogenic.
Malin Head stood in for the planet Ahch-To in Star Wars: The Last Jedi; a Millennium Falcon replica was built on the rocky coast near Hell's Hole. Walkers often retrace Luke Skywalker's steps here.
Near Hell's Hole, find Devil's Bridge, a natural arch. The headland is prime seabird-watching country during autumn migration, with dolphins and basking sharks offshore in summer — and the aurora borealis in winter.
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