http://www.nationaltrailsday.co.uk
With over 150 events planned for Sunday 3rd October, National Trails Day 2010 is set to be bigger than ever, celebrating the wonderful variety of trails available for everyone to enjoy in some of Ireland’s most beautiful countryside, forests, mountains and lakes. From hill walking to cycling, horse riding to canoeing, there will certainly be no shortage of events on offer throughout the country.
“National Trails Day is a great initiative encouraging people of all ages and abilities from across Northern Ireland to get out and active.” David Healy, Sunderland & Northern Ireland Footballer.
Now in its third year the cross-community National Trails Day has grown from strength to strength. In 2009 more than 10,000 people from across Ireland got out into the countryside and enjoyed trails in a variety of ways. Events for National Trails Day 2010, which will all be offered free of charge, include bat walks, fun cycles, family orienteering, horse riding, canoeing and nature trail walks to name just a few!
“National Trails Day is all about getting all sorts of people, no matter how mobile they are, out into the great outdoors to make use of our many off road trails. It’s a great opportunity to show just how easy it is to use these trails and of course how beneficial the outdoors can be to healthy living – who needs a gym when all this is on our doorstep.” Pamela Ballintine, local UTV television presenter.
This year the Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN) will be leading the organisation and marketing of National Trails Day in Northern Ireland and will be offering a fantastic range of exciting activities on trails throughout the country.
“Northern Ireland offers a wide range of unique trails both on land and water, everything from ‘have a go’ paddling sessions on the Strangford Lough Canoe Trail to venturing through the foothills of the Mourne Mountains along the Mourne Way. For the slightly less adventurous, National Trails Day is also offering events such as a family fun cycle through Gosford Forest Park and an autumn wildlife walk through the National Trust grounds of Crom Estate in County Fermanagh” explains Chris Armstrong from CAAN.
“The main aim of the day is to celebrate the trails we all have on offer and encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to get outdoors. However, National Trails Day is also about promoting the idea that we need to protect and maintain these trails and October 3rd will also hopefully raise awareness of the great work of the key agencies who strive to do this.”
National Trails Day events in include the Lagan Canal Boat Rally and Towpath Walk, a woodland and lakeside walk through Hillsborough Forest and a cycle along the Newry Canal. There will also be a short ramble along a section of the Mourne Way from Rostrevor to Kilbroney Park. The Canoe Association of Northern Ireland (CANI), in partnership with Clearsky Adventure Centre, are running a canoeing taster session on Strangford Lough with the National Trust offering a ‘walk on the wild side’ through Murlough National Nature Reserve.
There will be an Archeology and Heritage trek up Divis and Black Mountain and an autumn meander around Minnowburn, on the outskirts of Belfast.
There will be a pleasure cycle through Ballypatrick Forest, a ramble through Riverside Park in Ballymoney, a nature walk through Lagan Valley and an autumn wood trail walk through Portglenone Forest. There will also be a ‘Leave No Trace’ walk along the Sallagh Braes in the Antrim Hills to name just a few.
All of these events will be offered free of charge.
“A day such as this is ideal for getting out with friends and family and doing something a bit different.” Denise Watson, BBC Newsline Sports Correspondent.
CAAN is organising National Trails Day with the support of financial partners Inland Waterways of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Waterways Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland. All events organised for National Trails Day 2010 will be listed on www.nationaltrailsday.co.uk with full contact information of the organisers. For some of the events, places are limited so contact the relevant organisers ahead of the day so as not to be disappointed. If you feel like you would like to organise your own event for National Trails Day get in touch with CAAN on 028 90303930.