Posted online: Sep 27th, 2010

A south Derry woman is spearheading a drive to encourage people to take part in National Trails Day next month.
Kilrea woman Hanna Shields, who has climbed Mount Everest, is urging people across the North to rise to the occasion and get active on October 3.
Over 10,000 people took part in a range of activities during the event last year.
This year’s event includes activities such as hill walking, cycling, horse riding and canoeing.
The aim of the day is to celebrate the wonderful variety of trails available for everyone to enjoy in some of Ireland’s most beautiful countryside, forests, mountains and lakes.
This year The National Trust, Forest Service of Northern Ireland, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland (CANI), privately owned activity providers and other independent organisers will all be waiving entrance fees and offering activity events totally free of charge.
Hanna Shields says local people should get out and admire the beauty of our countryside.
She said: “National Trails Day is all about getting all sorts of folks outdoors enabling them to discover the natural gems on their own back doorstep. I know I take inspiration from this area every time I get out walking or running so it will be great to see more people taking advantage of all the free events and experiencing the outdoors for themselves on National Trails Day.”
Chris Armstrong from the Countryside Access and Activities Network said the event has something for everyone.
He said: “Northern Ireland offers a wide range of unique trails both on land and water. The main aim of the day is to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to get outdoors and make use of their local trails. We are also hoping to promote the idea that we need to protect and maintain our natural environment and National Trails Day will also hopefully raise awareness of the great work of the key agencies who strive to do this.”
CAAN is organising National Trails Day with the support of financial partners Inland Waterways of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Waterways Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland. All events organised for National Trails Day 2010 will be listed on www.nationaltrailsday.co.uk with full contact information of the organisers.
For some of the events, places are limited so anybody interested in taking part in an event is encouraged to get in touch with the relevant event organisers ahead of the day so as not to be disappointed.
For more information visit www.countrysiderecreation.com.