At the start of the Landscape Partnership Scheme, the Belfast Hills visitor numbers were gradually increasing but they remained a very under-used resource, with many people who lived in the shadow of the hills never having been to any of the public sites. Belfast City Council’s Strategic Tourism Strategy 2011 referred to the Belfast Hills as a key destination for visitors and one that should be enhanced and promoted. We made it our aim to encourage more people to enjoy the heritage landscape, particularly areas as yet unrecognised as valuable to the majority of visitors which we hoped would spread the increase in visitor numbers across a wider landscape. In order to accommodate increased visitor numbers, access needs careful management and monitoring to ensure that the heritage of the landscape is not inadvertently damaged. It is therefore essential that adequate paths and infrastructure are in place to cope with increasing visitor numbers, and to ensure that vulnerable sites are protected.

New paths were installed on Divis (summit path), Cave Hill (McArt’s Fort path and Limestone Quarry path), Ligoniel Dams and Ligoniel Park. Path improvements have been made at Slievenacloy and Upper Colin Glen. The Dunanney Lane entrance to Carnmoney Hill was improved with new parking installed, drystone wall built, wildflower meadow sown and path improvements, including a viewpoint, were made leading up to the lime kiln and farmhouse. A new entrance way, path and wildflower meadow was installed at The Horse Shoe Bend entrance of Cave Hill Country Park.

When additional links can be formed, we will work with the landowner to create access.

BHP Recreational Strategy contains baseline info on existing recreation in the Belfast Hills. A specific study was commissioned in the development year of the LPS in which six different sites were assessed for their suitability for various recreational activities. Site managers were also consulted to find out what recreational facilities they might like on their site.

This resulted in the creation of a junior orienteering course being installed at Cave Hill, around the castle grounds. Maps are available from Belfast Castle, or can be downloaded here:

Belfast Castle Orienteering map

Over 20 visitor counters were installed in public access sites in the Belfast Hills, providing important user information.

Questionnaires were conducted by volunteers to assess visitor opinions and obtain feedback which was used to inform further development.

The Belfast Hills are home to a wide range of historic sites, however not all of these important sites are easily accessible. Some sites are on private ground, so special permission has to be sought to view the site; while others, although on public ground, are in locations that are not accessible to all due to the terrain.

Likewise, over the years, various archaeological finds have been uncovered; however they are stored away in museum archives or behind glass, physically isolated from people interested in the hills’ rich history.

A number of stiles were installed to ease physical access to a number of heritage sites.  Where physical access is not possible 360 degree photography was used to virtually enable people to visit the site.

The Belfast Hills Partnership has maintained a website since it was launched in 2005. As the Partnership develops, more and more information has been added to this site and consequently visitor numbers have steadily increased from approx. 5000 hits per annum to approx. 99,000 hits per annum.

We are constantly adding to our online information, and hope you are enjoying using our website!