Ramblers seeking record visitors

The Mourne Mountains are popular with walkers

Ramblers groups are hoping 2007 will see record numbers of tourists exploring Northern Ireland's walkways.

However, some are concerned that many of the trails are not up to scratch and are below the standards of continental Europe.

The issue of ramblers' rights to walk on private land also falls behind legislation in the rest of the UK.

District councils have been given until this spring to make all necessary repairs to trails across NI.

Committed ramblers have said the pace of progress in improving trails and walkways has been slow in the last 30 years.

We walk there by permission of the landowner and that is almost always very generously given, but occasionally it is not given and that creates a problem for the recreational walker Ronnie Carser Ulster Federation of Ramblers' Clubs

Ronnie Carser of the Ulster Federation of Ramblers' Clubs said walking in Northern Ireland was "pretty idyllic".

"We have lovely countryside and we have a great range of walks that are available - both in the mountains and at low level," he said.

However, there are still problems over legal access to private land.

"We walk there by permission of the landowner and that is almost always very generously given, but occasionally it is not given and that creates a problem for the recreational walker," said Mr Carser.

"I think legislation could be improved and we look with particular envy to Scottish legislation which opens most of the countryside to recreational walkers."

Environment and Heritage Service countryside access officer Terry Ekin acknowledged that the legislation issue is a problem.

"In Northern Ireland, we are unfortunate that we don't have the rights of way network that other parts of the UK are lucky to have," he said.

"This dates back to the Land Act at the end of the 19th century and a lot of the Ulster Way routes are described as 'permissive agreements', either in writing or just verbal.

"That is one of the reasons why a lot of the routes are actually on roads and that has led to many problems."

'Carried out audit'

That has led to a further problem, as modern roads are more dangerous for pedestrians.

Walks and waymarked ways are managed by the Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN).

The body's Claire Wright said it had carried out an audit to assess what state the routes were in.

Committed ramblers want trail improvements

"We did an audit of the nine long walks. A person walked between 500-600 miles and they recorded every single signpost, waymarker, every bridge, every stile.

"They recorded where it was, took a photograph, plotted it on a map and recorded the condition it was in, to improve it or get it to a better standard."

Councils have been given until this spring to ensure all of the repairs are done.

"We are really in a partnership with all of the councils and it is really goodwill," said Ms Wright.

"They have a maintenance agreement to say they will do it.

"Ultimately, if they choose not to do it, and we feel the route isn't of a fit standard, then we will stop promoting that route and marketing that route."