Barnett Demesne Trails & Jumps Park Launched!

The Barnett Demesne Trails and Jumps Park are now officially open!

On the banks of the River Lagan, these trails are a short cycle from the city centre and boast a series of mountain biking and walking trails, including Ireland's first official dirt jump park in Ireland.

Speaking at the launch Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Parks and Leisure Committee, Councillor Gerard McCabe said: “As part of our £150 million Investment Programme, we’re committed to developing facilities which transform our city and positively change lives.”

“It is great to see this initiative come to fruition in Barnett Demesne which is also home to the recently refurbished Mary Peters Athletics Track, and to know that so many people, novices and experts, will be able to take advantage of them. Cycling and walking are great ways to encourage people to get active and, best of all, the trails are free for everyone to use.”

This network of purpose-built trails includes a 1.7km linear trail for walkers and mountain bikers. This wide trail runs parallel to the meandering River Lagan and with only gentle inclines it is ideal for young families and those with limited mobility. The 3.9km blue grade mountain bike trail boasts narrow singletrack and offers the perfect introduction to the UK’s fastest growing adventure activity.

More experienced mountain bikers are already eagerly awaiting no less than three red grade loops, packed full of technical trail features, off the main blue trail as well as Ireland’s first purpose-built jumps park under the shadow of the Mary Peters Track.

Sport Northern Ireland’s Nick Harkness commented, “It is unique to have such a varied network of sustainable mountain biking trails so close to a city centre. These trails make Barnett Demesne one of Belfast’s flagship outdoor recreation venues and we are delighted to support this project with a significant investment of £225,337 through our Sport Matters Community Capital Programme.”

Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of Lagan Rural Partnership’s Local Action Group explained, “The new trails certainly add to the Lagan Valley's tourism offering by providing an opportunity to explore Greater Belfast from a completely new perspective and will complement Northern Ireland’s ever growing activity tourism product”.

Sport NI, Belfast City Council and the Lagan Rural Partnership, under the Rural Development Programme, supplied the funding for this project and have been supported by Outdoor Recreation NI (formerly CAAN) in the development of these purpose-built trails.

Visit MountainBikeNI.com for more information on the Barnett Demesne Trails and Jumps Park.

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