THIS year’s Belfast Hills Heritage Festival starts today and runs through the week until Saturday July 9.
There's dance-fit fun on Divis Mountain, a Gruffalo trail and Parkrun at Colin Glen, family orienteering on Cave Hill, and a volunteering task in Belfast Castle grounds included in the busy schedule.
For those wanting to ease themselves more gently into the great outdoors there are two bus trips, plus a picnic and nature walk at Ballyaghagan, and a pollination-themed visit to Slievenacloy. For the kids, there's also a wildlife-themed stroll on the Gruffalo outing.
For those really up for a challenge there will be will be a 10-mile hike across the Belfast Hills from Ligoniel to Carnmoney Hill and beyond to Hazelwood Park and out on to Lough Shore at Jordanstown.
This year's programme has a strong health theme, encouraging adults and children to vacate the sofa and get outdoors and active.
Funded by Heritage Lottery, the festival aims to attract all ages, communities and ethnic groups to experience all the health benefits that the Belfast Hills have to offer.
Lizzy Pinkerton, scheme manager at the Belfast Hills Partnership, said: “According to one government estimate, the average person spends 90 per cent of his or her life indoors, and as we get older we become even more inclined not to venture out. We want to help redress the balance and get people enjoying their local green spaces through this year’s Belfast Hills Heritage Festival.
“We want to get people and families up into the hills and show them what is on offer. So if it has been years since you visited the Belfast Hills or if you have never ventured there, this is definitely the time to do so. We hope the festival will encourage people to become aware that this outdoor area is there to enjoy, cherish and protect.”
:: For details go to www.belfasthills.org/events, email info@belfasthills.org or call 028 9060 3466.
