A NEW MARITIME ADVENTURE ON BELFAST’S ICONIC WATERFRONT
The Maritime Mile Blueway Trail, an exciting new outdoor educational and family experience aimed at encouraging locals, visitors, school and community groups to explore Belfast’s historic waterfront and find out about its wildlife, has been launched.
Maritime Belfast Trust, the charity which preserves and promotes Belfast’s rich maritime heritage, has collaborated with Belfast Harbour on the initiative, which has been developed to support the Blue Flag status of Belfast Harbour Marina and the promotion of the city’s iconic heritage waterfront as a seamless, accessible and vibrant destination for everyone.
Maeve Moreland, Destination Manager of Maritime Belfast Trust, said:
“The Maritime Mile Blueway Trail is a wonderful experience that will fuel the imagination and get you exploring the most interesting parts of Belfast’s iconic waterfront, while discovering all about the wildlife, environment and history of the area. We hope this new initiative inspires everyone to enjoy an immersive experience in a family friendly, educational and fun way.”
The trail begins next to the pontoon at AC Marriott Hotel at City Quays, crosses the Lagan Weir, and continues along the waterfront, across to Belfast Harbour Marina, before concluding at Titanic Hotel Belfast. Each stop is clearly marked on a downloadable map available at maritime-mile.com, where participants can find clues and fascinating insights into Belfast’s natural heritage and maritime environment. Answers to the clues can be found on different interpretation panels along the trail.
The Marina recently earned its coveted Blue Flag status after meeting world-class standards in areas such as safety, accessibility, cleanliness, and environmental education. The new trail strengthens the connection with local tourism and actively engages the public in aspects of Belfast Harbour’s sustainable development and maritime heritage.
Nicholas Cowan, Head of Sustainability at Belfast Harbour, said: “We are always seeking to offer new and exciting ways for visitors to learn about the natural environment and the fascinating history within Belfast Harbour. The Blueway Trail offers a fun and fact-filled way for people of all ages to get to know the area better, while highlighting the sustainability journey in which we are engaged.
“Gaining Blue Flag status has been a proud achievement for Belfast Harbour, and we are delighted to see that this has been recognised through this new initiative. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the trail in the weeks ahead.”
As part of its vision to develop a sustainable future for Belfast’s iconic waterfront, Maritime Belfast is also working with the Waterfront Task Group (which includes Belfast Harbour) to create a seamless 10km waterfront promenade for the area. The framework will support net zero aspirations specifically reducing lifestyle-carbon by enhancing active travel options and connecting multiple urban neighbourhoods with the city’s waterfront.
The Maritime Mile Blueway Trail, which is open until 4th November, is free. There are 10 stops along Belfast’s iconic waterfront with questions, clues and facts, all of which can be easily found on a series of information panels of all shapes and sizes (some new and some old) along the self-guided route. There will be monthly prize draws, and everyone who completes the experience will get their very own Maritime Mile Blueway Trail certificate.
For further information on the Maritime Mile Blueway Trail visit www.maritime-mile.com. Follow Maritime Mile on Facebook and Instagram #MaritimeMile
