Walk, Cycle & Run

Walking the Maritime Mile

It goes without saying that walking is a joy on the Maritime Mile. Everywhere you look there are things that make your walk that bit more special: the historic Clarendon Docks, the public art, the Glass of Thrones trail, the Great Light, the Big Fish and the Belfast Buoys. Flexible distances, loads of space, amazing views and wonderful places to pause and contemplate nature – what more could you want?

As you walk, take in all the sights, sounds and smells of Belfast’s iconic waterfront and its local neighbourhoods, historic docks and vibrant quaysides. Make your way to the Big Fish, located only a 13 minute walk from Belfast City Hall and begin your walk along the Maritime Mile.

Walk City Quays: Take a left at the Big Fish and explore City Quays, taking in the sights along the waterfront including Clarendon Dock and the historic Sailortown neighbourhood. During your walk, be sure to look out for public art such as The Dividers and The Flying Angel, as well as stunning architecture such as Sinclair Seamen’s Church, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and St. Joseph’s Church. Approximately a 30 – 40 minute walk (starting and finishing at the Big Fish).

Top Tip: Enjoy the scenic views of Titanic Quarter from the City Quays waterside walkway. Be sure to share your photos with us on Instagram using #MaritimeMile.

Walk Titanic Quarter: Cross the Lagan Footbridge and begin your journey through the Titanic Quarter, exploring the birthplace of RMS Titanic. Follow the waterside walkway, past SSE Arena Belfast and the ARC Complex, taking in the breath-taking views of Titanic Belfast, SS Nomadic and Titanic Hotel Belfast.  Continue walking along the Titanic Walkway and pass the historic Great Light, before reaching HMS Caroline and Titanic’s Dock and Pump House. Approximately a 45-60 minute walk (starting and finishing at the Big Fish).

For more walking route ideas and a map of the Maritime Mile, click here.

Why not take the opportunity to learn more about the Belfast’s maritime history and take part in one of the exciting walking tours along the Maritime Mile? Join Titanic Belfast’s Discovery Tour for a chance to walk in the footsteps of the people who designed and built RMS Titanic, or visit the key sites in the history of the construction and launch of the greatest liner ever built in Belfast with Titanic Tours Belfast’s Susie Millar.

Cycling the Maritime Mile

Cyclists revel in the fact that Titanic Belfast was the starting point for the Giro D’Italia in May 2014, when over 227,000 spectators watched the biggest cycling event ever held in Northern Ireland! The Giro legacy lives on as cycling gets bigger and better in Belfast and there is nowhere better than down at the docks.

Cycling is a fantastic way to explore the Maritime Mile, as the National Cycle Network links the Comber Greenway to Titanic Quarter. You can even rent a bike using the Just Eat Belfast Bike Scheme as there are a number of docking stations located along the Maritime Mile including Donegall Quay, Corporation Square, SSE Arena Belfast, Belfast Met, Catalyst Inc and Eastside Visitor Centre.

Or why not try a cycling tour of the Maritime Mile with Belfast MicnBike, learning the fascinating story of Belfast’s maritime and industrial heritage? For those who would like to make cycling a regular hobby, consider joining the Titanic Quarter Cycling Club. Perfect for all road and mountain-bike cyclists regardless of age, experience or ability!

Fancy cycling a little further?

The Maritime Mile links you to some great cycling routes, from the Connswater Community Greenway to the Lagan and Lough Cycle Way.

• Connswater Community Greenway: a gentle loop through East Belfast on designated cycle and pedestrianised routes, with some fab parks and areas of interest on route, including CS Lewis Square.
  • Cycle along the Sydenham Road, past Harland & Wolff at the roundabout, taking the first exit on to the Airport Road. At the next junction, cross to the Sam Thompson Bridge and enter Victoria Park. You’re now on the Greenway!

• Comber Greenway: a seven-mile traffic-free section of the National Cycle Network taking you all the way from East Belfast to Comber along the old Comber railway line.
  • Cycle from Maritime Mile along Sydenham Road to Dee Street and join the greenway there. You can also join it from Victoria Park, and cycling to CS Lewis Square.

• Lagan and Lough Cycle Way: A 21-mile traffic free cycle ride or walk connecting Lisburn, the Lagan Valley, Belfast and Jordanstown.

Other routes include:

• From Donegal Quay you can cycle along the North Foreshore Path to Hazelbank Park and then on to Whiteabbey and Loughshore Park in Jordanstown.
• You can also head south, following the River Lagan from Belfast Harbour to Lisburn, passing through public parks at Minnowburn and Giant’s Ring until you reach the Lagan Valley Regional Park, finishing at the Union Docks in Lisburn

For maps and more info check out Cycleni.com or Sustrans.

Urban Sports

For those of you wanting a bit more adventure on your BMX or Mountain Bike, why not try out the Belfast Bridges Urban Sports Park? An outdoor concrete park for BMXing, skateboarding and parkour. Located under the M3 flyover at the junction of Corporation Street and Little Patrick Street in Sailortown.

Checkout the Belfast City Council website for more details.

Running the Maritime Mile

Runners are at home here too, with the Titanic Quarter 10k, the RunHer 10k and the Colour Run all regular events.

For a fun Maritime Mile run, start at HMS Caroline and run along the Titanic Walkway, past Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic, over the Lagan Footbridge to the Big Fish. Once you reach the Big Fish, turn around and make your way back to HMS Caroline.

Check out our interactive map to help you plan your run, walk or cycle along the Maritime Mile!