Ulster Way
661 km / 411 miles
Belfast, Numerous
The Ulster Way is a route essentially encircling Northern Ireland using many of the Waymarked Ways, linked by other path and road sections, with occasional sections in the Republic.
In late 2009 the Ulster Way was relaunched, promoting only the 411 miles of the Quality Sections. The route is described in a clockwise direction on this website but can be walked in either direction. Many past maps and guidebooks reflect the history of the Ulster Way's development, so will now be confusing: the route's history is included below to aid walkers aiming to encircle Northern Ireland on foot. The Dillon book covers the route as it has appeared on OS mapping, while the Warner book is an account of a walk on an earlier version of the route. The original route had links with trails in the Republic of Ireland including a 69-mile spur traversing mountainous country in County Donegal. Most of the NI AONBs are visited with use made of paths, forestry tracks and minor lanes.
While the Waymarked Ways arguably provide the pick of Northern Ireland’s longer trails, the future of the Ulster Way was unclear and in recent years it was not being promoted. In September 2009 the route was re-launched, adding new sections and after upgrading work and resigning, and with a new website. However the relaunched route promotes only the Quality Sections, comprised mostly of former Waymarked Ways. These are joined by the Link Sections that are mainly on public roads, some of which can be very busy. Walkers are actively encouraged to make use of public transport along these sections. (If you are really keen to complete a full circular walking route of Northern Ireland, downloadable maps are available from the new website.)
The Quality Sections total some 411 miles/658 kilometres and mainly follow the already established Waymarked Ways, predominantly off road, through Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). These sections are waymarked in both directions throughout their length with road signs and, off-road, discs. In addition to the Waymarked Ways listed below, several new sections have been added, after upgrading, to fill in some of the former link sections. The new Quality Sections are:
Belfast to Lisburn. Lagan Towpath. The Lagan Valley Regional Park is a beautiful corridor of greenery springing from the southern districts of Belfast City. 12 miles (19.2 km)
Holywood to Groomsport: North Down Coastal Path. Coastal Path taking the walker along the south shore of Belfast Lough. 12 miles (19.2 km)
Florencecourt to Belcoo (including the Cuilcagh Way). Exploring rural Fermanagh and Global UNESCO Geopark. 10 miles (16 km)
Belcoo to Beleek including Lough Navar Forest Option. A journey through the uplands of west Fermanagh. 28.5 miles (45.6 km)
Lough Bradan (Ederney) to Gortin. This section boasts some of the most extensive views on the entire Ulster Way. 37 miles (59 km)
Gortin to Moneyneany. Passing through the Sperrin Mountains - the largest area of upland in Northern Ireland. 23 miles (37.15 km)
Dungiven to Castlerock incorporating the North Sperrins Way. A series of mountain joining the high Sperrins to the north coast. 37.5 miles (60 km)
The Link Sections total some 214 miles/342 kilometres and are not waymarked. For the link sections, there have been long-standing concerns with about route quality with the many road sections, and with access issues and some sections being closed to the public. In 2003, NI Environment and Heritage Service, EHS, commissioned the Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN) to produce a report on the future of the route. In September 2007 it was reported that CAAN had started work in partnership with EHS to develop a new website for the revised Ulster Way (to be at www.ulsterway.co.uk). The Ulster Way was to be divided into ‘quality’ and ‘link’ sections. The ‘quality’ sections woulod use the majority of the current Waymarked Ways and be signed accordingly, and there were proposals for several new Waymarked Ways. Although these ‘link’ sections would not be actively promoted as suitable walking sections, the new website would provide travel information on how to get from one ‘quality’ section to the next. The new website would contain comprehensive information on the Ulster Way including signage, interactive maps, descriptions for each section, facilities along the sections and transport links and would also be accessible through http://www.walkni.com. These aims were met with the 2009 relaunch (see second weblink below).
Some remnants of the old Ulster Way will be seen. Whilst the new route broadly follows the original version, in some places it differs. Some printed maps including road maps and Ordnance Survey maps include the original route. The interactive and downloadable maps from the new website still include the dotted line indicating the original Ulster Way route. All old maps, route descriptions and sign posts should now be checked to avoid walking unnecessary miles, risk getting lost, or trespassing over land for which there is no longer permission for access. The new website provides updated information, route descriptions and maps.
Northern Ireland currently has nine promoted Waymarked Ways, a series of walking routes geographically spread across Northern Ireland, and led by the Northern Ireland Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN), an umbrella organisation. Ranging in length from 20-35 miles, the aim of the Waymarked Ways project is to open up the countryside to the people of Northern Ireland and tourists alike. The Waymarked Ways are: Antrim Hills Way, Causeway Coast Way, Moyle Way, Carleton Trail, Ring of Gullion, Newry Canal Way, Lecale Way, Sliabh Beagh Way and Central Sperrins Way. The new Ulster Way uses all or parts of these.
Information on the component routes is included on the walkni weblinks and, on this site, on the other path links below.
Details:
| Path Type: |
Paths Marked on OS mapping |
| Waymark: |
Fern (orange)/name on blue disc (replacing walker with rucksack and stick/orange-coloured arrows) |
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| Attributes: |
Challenging; Forest/Woodland; Coastal; Lake/Reservoir/Loch; Canal; Moorland; Mountain; World Heritage Site; Religious |
| Start and Finish: |
J290745 - Belfast Castle, Belfast |
| Web Sites: |
walkni |
| |
Ulster Way (walkni) |
Publications, Badges and Certificates:
Click to show 2 more Publications, Badges and Certificates
Maps:
| Other Paper Maps: |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
4 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 17/03/2008) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
5 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 21/04/2011) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
7 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 09/02/2009) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
8 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 26/03/2010) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
9 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 27/11/2009) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
12 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 09/02/2009) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
13 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 12/02/2010) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
15 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 21/04/2011) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
17 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 09/02/2009) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
18 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 17/03/2008) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
19 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 27/11/2009) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
21 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 21/04/2011) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
27 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 21/04/2011) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
29 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 21/04/2011) |
| OS (NI) Discoverer: |
28 (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 17/03/2008) |
| OS (NI) Activity Map: |
Glens of Antrim (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 2008) |
| OS (NI) Activity Map: |
Lough Erne (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 2008) |
| OS (NI) Activity Map: |
The Mournes, including Slieve Croob (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 2009) |
| OS (NI) Activity Map: |
Sperrins (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 2006) |
| OS (NI) Activity Map: |
Strangford (Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - 2008) |
Click to show 17 more Other Paper Maps
Connected Paths:
