Antrim, Armagh, Belfast, Down, Fermanagh, Derry, Tyrone
Various
The Ulster Way is a route essentially encircling Northern Ireland with small sections in the Republic. It is made up of a series of Quality Sections which are joined together with Link Sections.
In late 2009 the Ulster Way was relaunched, promoting only the 400 miles of the Quality Sections. These are mainly on the already established Waymarked Ways which are predominantly off road, pass through Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and are waymarked throughout their length. The Link Sections are not waymarked and 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 so they can make best use of their time on the more attractive Quality Sections.
Note that some printed maps, including road maps and Ordnance Survey maps, still include the original route. The interactive and downloadable maps from the WalkNI website still include the dotted line indicating the original Ulster Way route. All out of date maps should be ignored so you do not walk unnecessary miles, risk getting lost or trespass over land for which there is no longer permission for access. The WalkNI website provides regularly updated information, route descriptions and maps for the new route.
The route is described in a clockwise direction here but can be walked in either direction.
The 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. 11 miles (18km)
Holywood to Groomsport: North Down Coastal Path. Taking the walker along the south shore of Belfast Lough. 12 miles (19km)
Strangford to Newcastle: Lecale Way. Exploring the heavily indented shoreline of County Down, a coast rich in history and wildlife. 34 miles (55km)
Newcastle to Rostrevor: Mourne Way. Following a mixture of forest trails and mountain paths through the foothills of the Mournes. 23 miles (37km)
Newry to Carnbane: Ring of Gullion Way. Exploring the ancient volcanic landscape of the Ring of Gullion AONB. 38 miles (61km)
Carnbane to Portadown: Newry Canal Way. Along the restored towpath of the historic Newry Canal. 17 miles (27km)
Aughnacloy to Lisnaskea: Sliabh Beagh Way. Passing through some of the most remote parts of the Ulster countryside. 41 miles (65km)
Florencecourt to Belcoo. Exploring rural Fermanagh and Global UNESCO Geopark with a higher level alternative (Cuilcagh Way). 10 miles (16km)
Belcoo to Beleek. A journey through the uplands of west Fermanagh with the option of taking in the celebrated views from the Cliffs of Magho (Lough Navar Forest Option). 28 miles (46km)
Lough Bradan (Ederney) to Gortin. This section boasts some of the most extensive views on the entire Ulster Way on its journey into the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains. 34 miles (55km)
Gortin to Moneyneany. Passing through the Sperrin Mountains - the largest area of upland in Northern Ireland. 23 miles (37km)
Moneyneany to Dungiven. Through forest and across open hillside and giving some fantastic views. 13 miles (21km)
Dungiven to Castlerock incorporating the North Sperrins Way. From the main spine of the Sperrin Mountains a broad ridge of rolling upland stretches north all the way to the coast. 39 miles (63km)
Portstewart to Ballycastle: Causeway Coast Way. An exhilarating route along the most celebrated stretch of coastline in Northern Ireland with the Giant's Causeway and the iconic Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. 32 miles (51km)
Ballycastle to Waterfoot: Moyle Way. Through the heart of the world-famous Glens of Antrim with ancient monuments, rivers, high mountain tops and woodland waterfalls on a journey to the coast. 26 miles (42km)
Glenarm to Ballynure incorporating the Antrim Hills Way. Dramatic scenery, isolated hills and fantastic history. 20 miles (32km)
Details:
| Path Type: |
Paths Marked on OS mapping |
| Waymark: |
Fern (orange) / name on blue disc (replacing walker with rucksack and stick/orange-coloured arrows) |
| Attributes: |
AONB
Canal
Coastal
Forest/Woodland
Lake/Reservoir/Loch
Moorland
Mountain
World Heritage Site
Religious
|
| Open Date: |
2009 |
| Web Sites: |
WalkNI - Ulster Way
|
