Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Sunday 16°CMonday 17°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Derry CityEnvironmentNewsTOURIST AREAS

Progress on track for Ulster Ireland Appalachian Trail

written by cassoscoop March 2, 2021
ShareTweet

WORK to enhance the Derry and Strabane section of the International Appalachian Trial (IAT) is on track to be completed by the end of May 2021.

This could potentially allow walkers and hikers the opportunity to enjoy a much improved walking route experience in late Spring or early summer if restrictions for outdoor activity are eased.

Funding from both DAERA and partner Councils totalling £750,000 has been allocated to facilitate improvements to the entirety of 302 mile walking trail through the Rural Development Programme cross-border cooperation scheme.

The aim is to provide a high quality visitor experience with a potential to increase local and international tourism for the global trail brand.

The Ulster Ireland section of the International Appalachian Trail starts at the Slieve League coast in County Donegal and finishes in Larne on the east coast of Antrim, traversing a further two counties and a total of six district council areas in its route.

Enhancement work includes the addition of new way marking, trail re-routing, infrastructure improvements, trail furniture and amenity improvements along sections of the route.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Brian Tierney, said the upgraded route will provide a welcomed outdoor tourism offering to the City and District.

“I am delighted that work within the Derry-Strabane section of the IAT section, which runs form Killeter Forest and ends in the upper reaches of Glenelly Valley in Sperrins, is on schedule with some great enhancements and additions already visible.

“The improvements on this eco and geo tourism project with our five other collaborating Council areas and will have the potential to attract more domestic and international visitors and generate substantial economic benefit for the businesses along the route and the wider area.

“The IAT Ulster Ireland offers a unique opportunity to promote our local spectacular landscape, areas of natural beauty and scientific interest and a world heritage site – which are all on our doorstep.”

The International Appalachian Trail (IAT) Ulster Ireland is just one of a growing number of established IAT walking trails stretching across two continents, North America and Europe, which share a common geological heritage, the Appalachian – Caledonian Mountains.

These formed more than 250 million years ago during the Paleozoic Era, when the earth’s plates collided to form the super continent Pangaea.

Paul Wylezol, Co-Chair of the International Appalachian Trail added: “The Ulster Ireland section is a great addition to the International Appalachian Trail story and the progress at each stage of the trail to date has been inspiring in meeting its milestones despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic.”

“The Ulster Ireland section has great potential to attract a wide variety of North American walkers, who are eager to explore the shared geological and cultural storylines, combined with the uniquely Irish attractions, stunning scenery and Irish hospitality.’

Alderman Graham Warke, Chair of the Derry and Strabane LAG said the work would add to the Council area’s tourism offering.

“The International Appalachian Trail is extremely popular with fans of the outdoors worldwide and there is great potential for further development in terms of creating bespoke walking and hiking packages for visitors to our area and region with a focus on the important aspects of rural economic growth.

“We have worked collectively as a co-operation project to ensure we have enhanced the trail and explored all local tourism potential that our connection with the International Appalachian Trail will undoubtedly bring.

“We will continue to work together to ensure the full economic and social potential of this cooperation is realised as we rapidly move towards the roll-out of the Ulster Ireland section of this international trail with all work on track for completion May 2021.”

The next stage is to engage with providers along the route and provide details of the exciting marketing campaign planned for 2021.

To keep up to date with progress and more information on the IAT Ulster Ireland you can follow @IATUlsterIre on social channels.

Progress on track for Ulster Ireland Appalachian Trail was last modified: March 2nd, 2021 by cassoscoop

Tags:
Alderman Graham WarkeChair of the Derry and Strabane LAGCO-CHAIRDerry and Strabane CouncilInternational Appalachian TrailMayor Brian TierneyPaul WylezolProgress on track for Ulster Ireland Appalachian TrailUlster-Ireland section
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Man charged to court over Derry drugs...

13 hours ago

Rory Gallagher Festival gets green light for...

15 hours ago

Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

1 day ago

Funeral of mother and daughter killed in...

1 day ago

Man arrested over Class C drugs seizure...

1 day ago

Boyce hat-trick sends Derry City into seventh...

2 days ago

Dance company loses appeal over 100% annual...

2 days ago

Unmissable music events coming to the Abbey...

2 days ago

Derry priest faces seven more child sex...

2 days ago

New leaflet to help older people beat...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025
  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy