Background to The Ulster Way Project

In 2003, DOE commissioned the Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN) to produce a report of the Ulster Way Advisory Group's consideration of the future of the route.

The report recommended that:

• The Ulster Way concept should be retained.
• The route should be reappraised and the various options addressed.
• The strategic responsibility for the Ulster Way should lie with NIEA.
• Other bodies should recognise that they have a clear role to play.
• Each district council should be asked to confirm their future commitment.
• An advisory body is established.
• The necessary levels of funding and resources are made available to sustain the project.

This report can be viewed by clicking here (.PDF 1.07Mb)

The report was accepted by the Department of the Environment and an advisory committee has been established to help co-ordinate the future management of the route.

The Ulster Way Advisory Committee includes representatives from government agencies and voluntary groups with an interest in walking. The Committee has met on a regular basis to consider proposals for the route and its management.

Subsequently, an Ulster Way Advisory Committee was established to make recommendations on the future route and its management.
This Committee includes representatives of voluntary bodies with an interest in walking and officials from relevant public-sector agencies.

The Chairman is Allan Kilgore who represents the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside . Allan previously worked for many years as an Access Officer with Newry & Mourne District Council.

Mission Statement

The Advisory Committee has agreed the following wording:

To establish a sustainable long distance quality walking route, which is well maintained, actively promoted and passes through scenically attractive areas of Northern Ireland. The Ulster Way will be an evolving route, with changes being made as practicable, towards the eventual aim of maximising the percentage of off-road sections.

The revised Ulster Way route and website were officially launched on 16 September by Environment Minister, Edwin Poots.