These boots were made for walking – Council’s Guided Walks Programme launched

As part of this year’s Guided Walks Programme, Council’s Biodiversity Officer has organised a number of events to encourage people to take part in the ‘Biodiversity Games’.

This is a recording project supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, ‘Your Heritage’, which aims to get people involved in helping their local biodiversity by ‘getting recording’. For further information on these biodiversity events, please contact Rachel Bain, Biodiversity Officer on 028 7034 7272.

Mayor of Coleraine, Alderman Maurice Bradley said: “Walking is a not only a great way to keep fit but it also affords the opportunity to really enjoy our beautiful local surroundings. Council’s Guided Walks Programme is a great way to get out there and improve your fitness and I have no doubt it will prove to be extremely popular.”

Events kick off at Giant’s Sconce/Springwell Forest on Thursday 7th.

Join local guides, Steve McCartney and Tom McErlean from the University of Ulster, to explore this forested area of historical significance in a lesser spotted corner of the Borough. This grade 2 walk is approximately 3 - 4 miles covering forest tracks, country roads and grass tracks.

Other events and walks include Glenullin Hillwalking Festival on Saturday 16th June, Culmore House and farmland, Kilrea on Tuesday 3rd July (no charge), Story of Salmon Fishing, Portstewart on Wednesday 13th June, Garvagh Forest and Museum on Tuesday 26th June, Butterfly Marathon, Runkerry, Portballintrae on Monday 16th July (no charge), Benone/Downhill beach - Monday 16th July (no charge), Cam Forest/Rigged Hill, Ringsend on Wednesday 25th July, Castlerock/Bann Estuary on Wednesday 18th July, AcroBATics (no charge), Christie Park/Somerset Riverside Park, Coleraine on Thursday 9th August, Moneydig & Gettistown area, Garvagh on Tuesday 14th August and Castlerock Walkfest - Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th September.

Walking boots/shoes, or “wellies”, plus waterproofs are recommended for all walks. Training shoes are not suitable unless stated otherwise inside the brochure which is available on Council’s website.The cost is £2 per person per walk (unless stated otherwise).

For further information on any of the walks please contact: Countryside Development Officer, Coleraine Borough Council on 028 7034 7234. To see a full programme of Guided Walks including detailed information on each walk and on the Biodiversity events log on to www.colerainebc.gov.uk