From Department of Rural and Community Development
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A major expansion of the ‘Walks Scheme’ will see 70 new walking trails developed across the country.
Funding of €2.4 million has been allocated to facilitate the number of trails enrolled on the scheme to increase from 80 to 150 over the next two years.
The initiative is designed to boost outdoor recreation and rural tourism and will see the scheme work with over 2,500 farmers to open up the countryside to walkers, hikers, cyclists and tourists.
Under the Walks Scheme , funding is provided to farmers and other landowners to maintain the trails that travel through their holdings.
Over 2,200 farmers or landowners are already participating in the scheme.
A fresh call for expressions of interest was opened in February 2023 for new trails and substantial extensions to existing trails.
Potential applicants (e.g. trail management committees, community groups, local authorities, and other similar entities) are advised that expressions of interest must be made through Local Development Companies.
The closing date for expressions of interest is 23 June 2023 .
For more information on the Walks Scheme and Rural Recreation Officers click here.
The major expansion of the Walks Scheme is a key commitment of the Department’s National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027 - Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors .
