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[[File:The Ulster Way in Glenariff - geograph.org.uk - 433819.jpg|right|thumb|350px|The Ulster Way in Glenariff]]
'''The Ulster Way''' is circular walking route which encircles [[Ulster]], almost wholly within the [[United Kingdom]] but with some sections skirting through the [[Republic of Ireland]].  It was devised by Wilfred Capper MBE, inspired by the [[Pennine Way]], and designed to pass through all six counties of [[Northern Ireland]], displaying some of the Province's finest scenery, which it does.  The renewal of the way in 2008 took it across the border in places.

The circles the province and visits many places of interest including the [[Mourne Mountains]], [[Giant's Causeway]], [[Cavehill]] and the [[Sperrins]]. Most of the sections are clearly sign-posted.

In contrast with the Pennine Way, much of the Ulster Way is on roads, albeit minor roads, rather than footpaths, though there are sections of each.

==Route==
The Ulster Way is circular and so has no one starting point nor ending point, but to take [[Belfast]] as a convenient start and running clockwise:

===Belfast and Downshire===
[[File:Belfast (142), October 2009.JPG|right|thumb|200px|The Lagan in Belfast]]
[[File:The Ulster Way in north Down (7) - geograph.org.uk - 470329.jpg|right|thumb|200px|In North Down]]
From the middle of [[Belfast]], the Ulster Way follows the [[River Lagan]] and its canal section southwest, along the canal towpath for 12 miles up to [[Lisburn]], skipping back and forth across the river and thus the county boundary of [[County Antrim|Antrim]] with [[County Down|Downshire]].

From Lisburn the route turns east again, cutting through the County Down countryside to [[Drurnbo]] and [[Carryduff]], then north to [[Crossnacreevy]] and the outer suburbs of Belfast and on to the coast of [[Belfast Lough]] at [[Holywood]], a journey of 21 miles.

From Holywood the way runs east along the coast for 12 miles on the North Down Coastal Path.  It runs to [[Helen's Bay]], around [[Grey Point, County Down|Grey Point]] and on to [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]], and from there to [[Groomsport]].

[[File:Copeland Island boat - geograph.org.uk - 209130.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Donaghdee]]
From Groomsport is a stretch of 30 miles taking in some of the wonderful scenery of the [[North Channel]] coast of the [[Ards]] peninsula.  The path heads briefly inland before the coast is gained again, from where the walker has a fine view of [[Copeland Island]].  Then the route follows south hugging the coast to [[Donaghdee]], [[Millisle]], and all past the viscious skerries which line the coast all down Ards, past [[Ballywalter]], [[Portavogie]], and to [[Cloughay]], from where the path heads inland across the peninsula to [[Strangford Lough]], following the lough shore south to [[Portaferry]].  From Portaferry the ferry is indeed needed, bearing one to the village of [[Strangford]].

Strangford to [[Newcastle, County Down|Newcastle]] follows the 31 miles of the Lecale Way.  This, after looping round a headland, plunges south to regain the coast at the mouth of the lough by [[Kilclief Castle]].  Then the route follows the sea to [[Ballyhornan]] opposite [[Guns Island]] and on to [[Ardglass]], [[Killough]], round [[St John's Point]] and west, passing the fine, broad [[Tyrella Beach]], to [[Ballykinler]] and [[Dundrum]].

From  Dundrum the route passes over the Downshire Bridge to the Murlough Nature Reserve and along the Murlough Banks to Newcastle.  From here the Ulster Way will strike out inland.

Newcastle to [[Rostrevor]] is the Mourne Way of 26 miles.  It climbs straight up from the town into the Tollymore Forest Park under the gaze of [[Slieve Donard]], Ulster's highest mountain, [[Slieve Commadagh]] and other great peaks of the [[Mourne Mountains]]. Skirting the greatest of the hills, the path then climbs to the summit of [[Slievenamuck]] and [[Spelga]] before descending to pass over the lower slopes of [[Cock Mountain]] and [[Hen Mountain]], then turning up the [[Rocky River]] to pass between [[Rocky Mountain]] and [[Tornamrock]] and over and ddown to the dale of the [[Shakys Rover]], to Rostrevor Forest and on down to [[Rostrevor]] on the wooded coast of [[Carlingford Lough]].

The 10 miles to [[Newry]] are along the lough to [[Warrenpoint]] and up the [[Newry River]].  In the middle of Newry is the border of County Down with [[County Armagh]].

===Armagh===
{{Main|Ring of Gullion Way}}
[[File:Ring of Gullion Way - geograph.org.uk - 494120.jpg|right|thumb|200px|On the Ring of Gullion]]
From [[Newry]] in [[County Armagh]], the Ulster Way takes a diversion, on the [[Ring of Gullion Way]] which is a 37-mile wander around the [[Ring of Gullion]], past many historic sights such as the chambered graves of the Clontygora Court Tomb and the Kilsnaggart Pillar Stone and [[Moyry Castle]].  The path zigzags west to touch the border with the [[Republic of Ireland|Irish Republic]] and on towards [[Slieve Guillion]] itself, which is [[County Armagh|Armagh's]] [[county top]] and worth a diversion.  Down through the Slieve Gullion Forest Park and Carmough Forest, it passes [[Derrymore House]] ([[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]]) and the fine countryside in which it sits before the path reaches the northern parts of Newry; the end of the Ring of Gullion Way but the start of a section north up the canalised river.

The 17½ miles of the Newry Canal Way runs north from Newry up the Newry River and its canal to [[Portadown]]. Points of interest include [[Poyntzpass]] and Acton Lake, and the village of [[Scarva]], famed for its sham fight pageant.  A little north of Scarva the Ulster Way bereaks off the towpath and heads west across the county, though walkers who wish to complete the Newry Canal Way will continue north to Portadown.

West from the canal, the Ulster Way runs for 38 miles to [[Aughnacloy]] in [[Tyrone]].  It first heads east to [[Tandragee]] and then follows the [[River Cusher]] to [[Clare, County Armagh|Clare]], whence it follows a wandering way west along well marked tracks meeting no villages of any size until it reaches the county town, the City of [[Armagh]].

The path follows to the centre of the city and its cathedrals.  From here it heads west out of Armagh along lanes to the earlier foundation; [[Navan Fort]], which was ancient ''Emain Macha'', famed of the Ulster epic of Cú Chullain.  From Navan the path continues west along lanes through the countryside to [[Killylea]] and loops round to [[Tynan]], then north over the Dredge Bridge into Tyrone.

===Tyrone===
[[Caledon]] is the first village of Tyrone for the path.  From here it heads northwest along lanes through the almost empty, rolling Tyrone countryside, until, after a brief scoot across a footpath, it reaches [[Auchnacloy]].

From here, the 40 miles of the Sliabh Beagh Way pass through some of the most remote parts of [[Ulster]], wandering across the backbone of the [[Sliabh Beagh]] hills, in a landscape rich in historical sites and in wildlife.  The hills rise and provide fine vistas over fair countryside.  The way also here takes a diversion into foreign parts, in short into the Irish Republic.

Auchnacloy lies close to the border and path heads straight across the Ravella Bridge into [[County Monaghan]] in the [[Republic of Ireland]].  The path wanders among hill, bog and forest, reaching the fine Favour Royal Forest as it crosses back into the United Kingdom and Tyrone.  This forest, in the [[Favour Royal Demesne]] has been designated a "Millennium Forest".<ref> http://www.millenniumforests.com/location_archfav.html Millennium Forests - Favour Royal Woodland]</ref>

From Favour the path runs south and climbs to the Altadaven Woods, where is the ancient sitee known as "St Patrick's Well and Chair"; where the well (like so many) is reputed in old tales to have been blessed by the saint.  Then the Ulster Way trespasses back into County Monaghan and its woods and hills.  At the hilly townland of [[Barratitoppy Upper]] the path runs in a ring, providing a north route or a south route, or a circle and back again, amongst the hills before the two courses reunite back across the border, but now in [[Fermangh]], in the Mullaghfad Forest.

===Fermanagh===
{{site box|Carnmore View Point|The view extends south over the drumlins of Monaghan and to the east as far as [[Slieve Gullion]]; on a clear day [[Slieve Rushen]] and the high ground of [[Cuilcagh]] are visibile to the west.}}
In the Mullaghfad Forest the path loops round the woods and up to the Carnmore View Point at {{map|473363|Carn Rock}}, legendary burial place of the giant Bith, from whom Sliabh Beagh is said to take its name.

Thereafter the path wanders in great meanders through the Lisnakea Forest and the Tully Forest, eventually leaving the woods to reach [[Donagh]].  From there it is a gentler run northwest to [[Lisnaskea]], Fermanagh's second town.

It is 22 miles from Lisnakea to [[Florencecourt]], on a path that provides the first view the Fermanagh lakelands.

Scorning the main route south out of Lisnakea, the path wanders round by [[Aghamore, Fermanagh|Aghamore]] and its ancient church remains.  Then it runs southwest to [[Upper Lough Erne]] at [[Corradillor]].  The lough here is not a broad water but a scattering of inlets, expanses, islands producing a confusing patchwork of green and blue.  At Corradillor the path crosses the Erne to [[Trasna Island]] and again to the southern bank and runs west to the linear village of [[Derrylin]].

[[File:Ulster Way at Lough Meenameen - geograph.org.uk - 1390966.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Lough Meenameen]]
Above Derrylin rises the modest [[Molly Mountain]] (942 feet) and its big neighbour, [[Slieve Rushen]] (1,325 feet).  The pass passes between the two, though a vigourous walker may wish to divert his path and cap Slieve Rushen on the way.  At [[Springtown, Fermanagh|Springtown]] the path begins to take a more northerly course to [[Florencecourt]].

[[File:Cuilcagh & Benaughlin in November 07.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Cuilcagh and Benaughlin]]
The 10 miles from Florencecourt to [[Belcoo]] provide another optional track, or a loop south to the border and back again.  Here is to be found some particularly varied and interesting walking, for the southern loop is the Cuilcagh Way, which heads up to the mountains (for experienced walkers only) and scales to the summit of [[Cuilcagh]], which at 2,181 feet is Fermanagh's [[county top]], and the summit stands on the border with the Irish Republic ([[County Cavan]], of which it is also the county top).  This route heads southwest out of Florencecourt, away from the low ground in the basin of Lough Erne and rapidly uphill south of Trien, passing several swallow holes that dot this landscape, and straight up Cuilcagh.  From the summit of Cuilcagh the path follows the border northeast for just under a mile then north, down the mountain, until lanes apeear on the landscape again.  From Pollawaddy the Cuilcagh Way may be followed back east to Florencecourt or the Ulster Way continued north.

The lower, short route heads west out of Florencecourt into the fair woods of the [[Florence Court]] Estate, then along the northern slopes of Trien.  It comes in time to Pollawaddy where it meets the Cuilcagh Way coming down from that mountain.

{{site box|Marble Arch Caves|At {{map|H121346}}, the caves are one of Europe's finest show caves allowing visitors to explore a fascinating, natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers.  They have been declared a "Global Geopark"}}
North of the path junction, the path comes to the internationally famous {{map|H121346|Marble Arch Caves}} (which have a visitors' centre).  From these caves issues the [[Cladagh Riiver]] which runs down a verdant gorge, the Cladagh Glen, down which the Ulster Way follows, before its waters join the Arney River. The original course of the Ulster Way followed the river for its whole course, passing east of [[Lower Lough Macnean]] but today's path runs west along the lough's southern shore to [[Mullaghbane]], where it crosses into County Cavan (the village of [[Blacklion]]) and then north back to Fermanagh, reaching [[Belcoo]].

It is 28½ miles from Belcoo to [[Belleek]], with yet another optional loop on the way.  Straight along the road northwest from Belcoo, north of Upper Lough Macnean, the path comes to Pollagaddy then heads north through the extensive, hilly woodlands of the [[Balintempo Forest]], a high, winding course taking it on through the [[Big Dog Forest]] and the [[Conagher Forest]].  Reaching the road at Derryvahon, the path may be followed west or in a loop north.

{{site box|Lough Navar Forest|The forest rises to the top of the Magho Cliffs at a height of 1,000 feet, affording spectacular views over Lower Lough Erne and as far as [[Donegal Bay]], the Blue Stack and the [[Sperrin Mountains]].  Here too is the Correl Glen Nature Trail in the Largalinny National Nature Reserve.}}
The north loop runs around the [[Lough Navar Forest]], emerging at the specular Cliffs of Magho, which provide views far to the north and west.  From here the loop works its way back to close by its start  The main route runs west along the roads through the hills and down again to the Erne valley in the far west of Fermanagh, where it crosses briefly into the Republic ([[County Donegal]]) before entering the wee border town of [[Belleek]] which stands on that river.

The 31 miles from Belleek to [[Lough Bradan Forest]] is mainly on mainly quiet, rural roads with some short sections of footpaths through the woodlands of northern Fermanagh, and it darts briefly through southern [[County Donegal|Donegal]].  The route is not signposted on the ground.

Belleek is on the north bank of the [[River Erne]] in an acute angle of Fermanagh, and the path heads from here north into the Republic (County Donegal) then east and back into the United Kingdom rather than follow the A47 all the way, which road nevertheless it does follow for a mile and a half east from [[Keenaghan]].  From the old quarry at [[Tawnyoran]], the path takes a lane northeast, past the end of Keenaghan Lough and running north of [[Lough Scolban]], past slopes set with burns and lochans.  From the Lough Scolban the path follows the short Garvary River down to [[Lower Lough Erne]], from where the path heads north and northwest and into Donegal again, and east winding amongst little lakes and down toweards Lower Lough Erne, then to [[Pettigoe]], then up the [[Termon River]] which marks the border, crossing the border twice before diving back at Gortnaree and climbing into woodland, then winding through the woods, over the small hill Rotten Mountain]] and to the entrance to [[Lough Bradan Forest]], {{map|H214718}}, on the county boundary some 5 miles north of [[Ederney]].

===Tyrone (north)===
{{site box|Lough Bradan|The forest is a land of valleys and steep drumlins on the lowlands with a transition to an undulating sandstone plateau and throughout are traces of ancient time. The Lough itself (south of the route but worth a diversion) is well stocked with brown trout.}}
Lough Bradan to Gortin is 37 miles of forest and hill.  There are many miles through this pine woodland and up to [[Bolaght Mountain]] (1,132 feet, though the path does not claim the summit) by a fine tarn, Lough Lee. From Bolaght it is downhill to {{map|H306781|Kilmore Robinson}}, a "Fairy Water Bog"  - one of the largest areas of intact active bogs in Ulster and one of the best examples of this habitat in the United Kingdom.

In more open country now, the path wind northeast to climb to the summit of a steep, wooded hill, [[Bessy Bell]] (1,378 feet), an outlining hill of the [[Sperrin Mountains]].  Down, over the [[Strule River]], and it is up steeply again onto Tirmurty Hill in the [[Glen Gortin Forest]] (a spur of [[Mullaghcarn]], 1,778 feet), then off through gorgeous forests and north to [[Gortin]], a village in the valley of the [[Owenkillew River]].

{{Site box|Barnes Gap|The Barnes Gap cuts through the east-west crest line of the southern Sperrin Mountains ridge, between the hills of Mullaghbane and Mullaghbolig. It is a deeply incised, north-south, glacial overflow channel between the Glenelly River to the north and the Owenkillew River to the south; its walls and the small quarry on the west side expose long sections of Dalradian metamorphic rocks of the Glenelly Formation.}}
It is 23 miles to [[Moneyneany]] in [[County Londonderry|Londonderry]], a route through the Sperrins.  Northeast of Gortin the Ulster Way crosses the Owenkillew and up the slopes through the {{map|H551896|Barnes Gap}}, a narrow pass through the hills cut by ancient ice, to reach the Glenelly Valley.

Following the Glenelly upstream, the path is in the heart of the Sperrins.  To the north looms the bulk of [[Sawel Mountain]], the [[County top|highest point]] of both [[Tyrone]] and [[County Londonderry|Londonderry]]. The path leads up along a minor road over the watershed below [[Mullaghsallagh]] which marks the border with [[County Londonderry]] and then across country over [[Crockback]] and Crockmore and down to the lower ground towards Moneyneavy.

===Londonderry===
Just off the path south of Moneyneavy is {{map|H761956|The Rural College}}, established in 1992 to teach skills in rural development work, then north to the tiny village of [[Moneyneany]].

From Moneyneavy north to [[Dungiven]] is 9 miles. From the lee of the Sperrins, the Ulster Way passes north across the northern extension of the Sperrins, heading north up the saddle between the steep slopes of [[Mullaghmore]] to the east and the Banagher Forest to the west.  Close to the top of the climb the path passes a crumbling basalt escarpment which marks the southern edge of the North Derry Plateau. From the heights, it is down again into the Benady Glen, which is part of the Roe Valley, an Area of Special Scientific Interest, and soon comes the village of [[Dungiven]], which grew up around the site of an Augustinian Priory founded in 1100, ansd remains overlooked by the yet more ancient escarpments to the east.

From Dungiven, 37½ miles of hill and forest takes the walker to [[Castlerock]] on the north coast of County Londonderry.  From Dungiven the path heads east and climbs steeply over [[Benbradagh]] and though it does not touch the 1,526-foot summit, the views from there are magnificent and worth a small diversion.  Down the mountain the path follows a mile and half of the American Road, which was built in 1967 by the United States Navy to provide access to the US Naval Communication Centre on the summit of the mountain. The base was closed in 1977.  Beyond Benbradagh the route shuns the easy paths along the [[Castle River]] to climb the slopes again up Donald's Hill, and runs past Legavannon Pot, a scarp-edge plunge pool formed by retreating glacial melt water. North of the Pot the route enjoys fine views over the Roe Valley in which glints the [[River Roe]], beloved of anglers.  From here the walk follows the Murder Hole Road for a short time: a foreboding name name earned from a notorious highwayman of the late 18th and early 19th centuries named Cushy Glen, who hid the bodies of his victims in a bog hole, until in one attack his intended prey drew a pistol and sent him to eternal judgment.

Zigzagging through hill and forest, the path comes to the northernmost of the [[Sperrins]], [[Binevenagh]], from whose summit plunges a dramatic scarp and a visitor may enjoy breathtaking views.

{{Site box|Downhill Strand|At {{map|C750358}}, Downhill starts several miles of golden sandy beach for bathing and surfing. It also has delicate dune system of botanical interest. 

Hereabouts is the [[Downhill Demesne]] (National Trust) and the Portvantage Glen, a tranquil park with a nature trail and fish pond. Downhill Forest has rare trees and two pretty waterfalls and a mound, Dungannon Hill, which is all that remains of a prehistoric settlement.}}
Northward the route drops down to the coast along the Bishop's Road, which was built by Ferderick Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry to reach his residence at the [[Downhill Estate]], now a [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] property. Ulster Way does not enter the estate but it may be worth a short detour.

Soon the path reaches [[Castlerock]] on the Atlantic coast.  From here a further 10 miles leads east up to [[Coleraine]], across the [[River Bann]] and down the Bann estuary to [[Portstewart]], by the end of the famous [[Portstewart Strand]].

A diversion available to the keen is a 10 miles spur from here to [[Binevenagh]] and its Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the headland.

From the seaside resort of Portstewart, in the Liberties of Coleraine, the Ulster Way takes follows the [[Causeway Coast]], taking the Porth path along the clifftop to [[Portrush]] and then it soon enters [[County Antrim]], the ninth county on its journey.

===Antrim===
====The Causeway Coast====
[[File:Dunluce Castle - geograph.org.uk - 511902.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Cliffs at Dunluce Castle]]
The [[Causeway Coast]] Way is 33 miles from Portstewart to [[Ballycastle]]. The path takes the Porth Path along the cliff-top to Portrush, another popular holiday resort.  It continues along the golden sand of [[Curran Strand]] to the White Rocks, an Area of Special Scientific Interest for its geology and one of many protected areas along this path

Beyond White Rocks the path comes across the ruins of 16th century [[Dunluce Castle]], once a stronghold of the MacDonnell clan who came to Ulster from the [[Hebrides]], and now open to the public.  Then it descends to [[Portballintrae]] to cross the [[Bush River]]. Just upstream is the village of [[Bushmills]], famous for its whiskey distillery, also open to visitors.  The walk continues alongside a section of the coasts of the [[Giant's Causeway]].

From the world-famous Causeway itself (a short detour) the Causeway Coast Way continues as the [[North Antrim Coast Path]], along the rocky Atlantic coast to Benbane Head and a grassy cliff-top that may be the most spectacular section of the Ulster Way, with views over the cliffs, baysm, skerries and out to the islands of the Hebrides: the [[Mull of Kintyre]] is clearly visible and the islands of [[Islay]] and [[Jura]] in clear weather. The path descends past the ruins of [[Dunseverick Castle]], which marks the end of the Noerth Antrim Coast Path.

Through a natural rock arch the path climbs down to the tiny hamlet of [[Portbraddan]], where stands Ulster's smallest church, then to [[White Park Bay]] around the headland and to the pretty harbour at [[Ballintoy]].  The Causeway Coast continues east past [[Larrybane]] Bay where another short detour brings you to [[Carrick-a-Rede]] rope bridge, raised every summer for over 250 years to allow local fishermen to access their nets, and now in the care of the National Trust.

The final 10 miles from Carrick-a-Rede to [[Ballycastle]] is 6 miles most of which is along the main road.

====East coast====
Down the East coast there are two rival routes: the Moyle Way and the coast path.  The [[North Channel]] is known as the "Sea of Moyle" in ancient Gaelic legends but the Moyle Way is the one away from the sea, running 27 miles from Ballycastle to [[Waterfoot]] and through the [[Glens of Antrim]].  The walk heads due south on a section of the disused Ballymena railway line, then climbs through [[Glenshesk]] beside [[Knocklayd]] and beside the pure waters of the [[Glenshesk River]], a river populated with salmon and sea trout. South of Glenshesk it passes through Breen Oakwood Nature Reserve and close by is MacQuillan's Grave, and engraved stone where tradition says a chief of the MacQuillans fell after the Battle of Orra.

On the slopes of [[Slieveanorra]] is another nature reserve recognising its bog and moorland habitat. On these slopes was fought the Battle of Orra in 1559 at which the MacDonnell clan covered the ground with rushes to make it appear solid and lured the MacQuillans and O'Neills to flounder into a chest-deep bog, where they were slaughtered. Today there is a gravel track.

From here the Moyle Way trends southeast, passing close to the top of [[Trostan]], Antrim's [[County top|highest summit]] at 1,804 feet. Thereafter is a gentle descent into the beautiful [[Glenariff]] and its forest and then down through the broadening glen to the sea at [[Waterfoot]], where the coastal path takes over down to [[Glenarm]]. 

The coast path explores the fine east coast of Antrim, on the [[North Channel]], for 32½ miles from Ballycastle to Glenarm.  It is not entirely coastal; from the town it follows the beach at Ballycastle Bay and adjoing rocks for a mile and a half then heads inland initially in the valley of the [[Carey River]], to the coast at [[Torr Head]].  Here the coastline is steep and craggy, the road above it looking to to sea, and the path follows the Antrim Coast Road south between cliff and mountain to [[Cushendun]], with its sheltered beach, at the foot of Glendun.  From Cushendun it is south again on the coast road, to [[Cushendall]], on Cushendall Bay at the foot of three convergent glens; [[Glenaan]], [[Glenballyemon]] and [[Glencorp]].  From Cushedall is a short waterside walk to [[Waterfoot]] at the bottom of [[Glenariff]], where the Moyle Way rejoins the route.

From Waterfoot the coastline points east and the path faithfully follows by the edge of the sea to [[Garron Point]] where the coast turns south again, then the path follows not the coast road (which provides little room to  avoid oncoming cars) but a quietr road a little inland immediately beneath the crags and the looming bulk of [[Knockore]].  In time the path comes to the little seaside town of [[Carnlough]] (at the foot of [[Glencloy]], and around a headland to the pretty village of [[Glenarm]] and the bottom of the glen of the same name.

{{site box|Glenarm Castle|[[Glenarm Castle]] was built in the early 17th century by Sir Randall McDonnell, a descendant of the Hebridean clan who fought fiercely for supremacy in Antrim in the sixteenth century. Today it is the home of his descendant, Viscount Dunluce. The walled garden is open to the public between May and September.}}
The Antrim Hills Way climbs steeply out of Glenarm to [[Black Hill, County Antrim|Black Hill]] at 1,250 feet and then leads south across a series of summits around 1,000 feet high, amongst which is the geologically remarkable [[Scawt Hill]] (1,240 feet). All these hills rise gently to the west but fall away steeply to the east, a legacy of the Ice Ages.

{{site box|Scawt Hill|The hill dominates the skyline on the Antrim Coast Road hereabouts.  It is a volcanic plug from an ancient volcano long dead but made of solidified lava. 

On its way to the surface, the molten basaltic rock which in ancient times burst from this hill passed through the Cretaceous Ulster white limestone, and it was the reaction between the molten rock and the limestone that created the extraordinary variety of minerals. 

Scawt Hill has yielded five minerals entirely new to science.}}
South of Scawt Hill, the path comes to the remarkable [[Sallagh Braes]].  The Braes are a dramatic, semi-circular basalt escarpment, dropping down to the farmland below like a vast amphitheatre.  Below is cultivated land, but above is thistle-clad blasted heath where buzzards fly, and form the top are wonderful views out to sea. Sallagh Braes was formed when glaciers cut into unstable slopes and caused a massive land slip, creating cliffs over a mile long long and 300 feet high.

South of Sallagh Braes the path climbs [[Agnew's Hill]] (1,555 feet) and its wind-beaten moorland. On clear days the [[Belfast Hills]], the [[Mourne Mountains]], the [[Sperrins]] and the Hebrides all decorate the horizon; [[Kintyre]] and [[Ailsa Craig]] stand clear against the sea.  From here southward the path slowly descends in great zigzags to the old-new village of [[Ballynure]], where the Antrim Hills Way ends.

The 19 miles of the Ulster Way from Ballynure to [[Belfast]] run at first on quiet rural roads and on forest tracks and in its last miles through coast and urban landscape.  The path heads southeast straight from Ballynure to [[Straid]] then into the Woodburn Forest, within sight of [[Belfast Lough]].  It then wanders through the forest up [[Knockagh, County Antrim|Knockagh]], where the County Antrim War Memorial stands, and out of the forest southwest to [[Ballyhowne]].  South of here it plunges among the cluster of towns that have been created into [[Newtownabbey]], running to the sea at [[Whiteabbey]].  Fro Whiteabbey the Ulster Way clings ot the coast southward, meeting the [[M5 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M5 motorway]] and tucked between it and the shore of Belfast Lough all the way down through the Belfast Docks and ultimately to the banks of the [[River Lagan]] in the city centre, where the route bagan.

==History==
The Ulster Way was the brainchild of Wilfred Capper MBE, who was inspired by Tom Stephenson's [[Pennine Way]].<ref name="News Letter">{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/New-Provincewide-walking-route-launched.5649319.jp|title=New Province-wide walking route launched|date=2009-09-16|work=The News Letter|accessdate=2009-10-11}}</ref>, He first developed the idea for the Ulster Way in 1946, as a waymarked trail that would pass through the six counties of [[Northern Ireland]], linking 15 Youth Hostels which were in place at the time.<ref name=walkni-ulsterway-history>{{cite web| title=History of the Ulster Way| work=walkni.com| url=http://www.walkni.com/ulsterway/history/| accessdate=19 May 2012}}</ref> He developed the route in the 1970s and 1980s, and once implemented, this original route stretched for 665&nbsp;miles. After the development of the Way, Capper subsequently became the first person to complete the route.<ref name=walkni-ulsterway-history />

Towards the end of the 20th century, large sections of the trail fell into disrepair or were "lost" due to increased car traffic on some of the road sections, and ambiguity of ownership and land access rights.<ref name="End of road">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/1882208.stm|title=The end of the road for NI walkway?|date=2002-03-20|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-10-11}}</ref>

In April 2003 the Environment Minister announced a project to improve and maintain the Ulster Way.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/places_to_visit_home/access_to_the_countryside/future_of_the_ulster_way/ulster_way_update.htm|title=Ulster Way update at May 2009|date=May 2009|publisher=Northern Ireland Environment Agency|accessdate=2009-10-11}}</ref>  A new route was agreed in early 2009.<ref name="WalkNI">{{Cite web|url=http://www.walkni.com/ulsterway/history/|title=History of the Ulster Way|publisher=WalkNI|accessdate=2009-10-11}}</ref> The new route was officially opened on 16 September 2009. The new route was completed by Rick McKee and David Creighton, by bike, over 6 days in May 2008. This revised route is 625 miles; the revised route was first completed by schoolboys Matthew Hoper and Simon Harris.<ref name="News Letter"/><ref name="Stewart">{{Cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/get-your-boots-on-the-ulster-way-is-back-on-the-map-14493765.html|title=Get your boots on, the Ulster Way is back on the map|last=Stewart|first=Linda|date=2009-09-16|work=Belfast Telegraph|accessdate=2009-10-11}}</ref>

The route was relaunched in 2009 by the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland).

[[File:HolywoodUlsterWay.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Signing on the shore of Belfast Lough in Holywood]]

==Outside links==
*[http://www.walkni.com/ulsterway/ Walk Northern Ireland – The Ulster Way]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Books===
Several books have been published as a guide to walking the route. Including:
* The Ulster Way, Paddy Dillon, The O'Brien Press, 1999, ISBN 0-86278-589-8
* Walking the Ulster Way, Alan Warner, Appletree Press, 1989, ISBN 0-86281-227-5

[[Category:Footpaths in County Antrim]] [[Category:Footpaths in County Armagh]] [[Category:Footpaths in County Down]] [[Category:Footpaths in Fermanagh]] [[Category:Footpaths in County Londonderry]] [[Category:Footpaths in Tyrone]]
[[Category:Long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom]]

{{UK Trails}}