Countryside Access
Countryside Access
Down District Council has a number of duties and powers under the Access to the Countryside (NI) Order 1983.
The Access to the Countryside Policy is a critical factor in opening up the countryside of the District for walking and other appropriate activities.
Council will discharge its duty in line with this legislation.
To meet these responsibilities the Council has provided the following:
- Asserted over sixty public rights of way
- Three substantial walking/riding networks around Castlewellan, St Patrick’s Way and Ballyhornan/Kilclief/Killough areas
- Three long distance routes within the District - the Lecale Way, the Newcastle Challenge Trail and the Mourne Way
- A review of the Ulster Way
- Provides three major walking events each year
- Two cycling routes within the Mournes
- Provision of car parking and picnic sites within the District, particularly within the Mourne and Slieve Croob AONB
- Granite Trail in Newcastle. This is a walking trail between the harbour in Newcastle and Thomas’s Mountain. The project seeks to highlight Newcastle's historic past and its association with the quarrying of granite and will include historical artefacts along the length of the route. The project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, and supported by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Down District Council also operates two outdoor facilities under this policy at Delamont Country Park and Tyrella Beach.
For more information on Walking in Northern Ireland, take a look at the WalkNI website.
Telephone Number: 028 4461 0815