You are on Introduction (City of Merchants Trail). Skip to the next section.

Introduction (City of Merchants Trail)

• The City of Merchant Trail runs through the City Centre and is marked by sculptures along the way.
  The trail begins at Chichester Street opposite Belfast City Hall, goes via Donegal Place, Rosemary Street, Waring Street, Skipper Street, High Street, Cornmarket, and Ann Street to the Victoria Square shopping centre.
  From there it continues via Victoria Street, Chichester Street pathway, across Oxford Street, to the Waterfront, past the Beacon of Hope and Queen's Bridges and ends at Lagan Weir.
  The approximate distance for the route is 1.9km (1.2 miles). It should take approximately 1 hour plus stops to cover the route.
  At various points along the route, there are signposts and information hubs describing the trail.
  The route is generally level and step-free, or with slight slopes at various points.
  The paving surfaces include tarmac, stone and concrete slabs, tiles and block paving. Surfaces may be uneven in places.
  There are pedestrian crossings with tactile paving and dropped kerbs at road crossing points.
• A map of the route may be obtained from Visit Belfast or downloaded from here (opens in new tab) There are similar trails in the city, notably the Titanic Trail and the Lagan Maritime Trail. Please see the links below.
• Belfast City Hall (Starting Point) link (new tab) - click here.
• Victoria Shopping Centre link (new tab) - click here.
• Titanic Trail link (new tab) - click here.
• Lagan Maritime Trail link (new tab) - click here.

You are on Belfast City Hall to Donegall Place. Skip to the next section.

Belfast City Hall to Donegall Place

• This route begins on Donegall Square East, beside the Titanic Memorial Garden at City Hall.
  
• Proceed north along the pavement for approximately 50m, keeping the City Hall on your left.
  
• Follow the pavement round to the left onto Donegall Square North and continue along the pavement to the front of City Hall for approximately 80m.
  
• The pavement has block paving and cobbled brick surfaces which may be uneven.
  
• There is seating available along this section of the route. The bench seats have armrests on either side.
  
• There are clear directional signs for the route, which are above head height.

You are on Crossing Points - Donegall Place. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Points - Donegall Place

• There are two pedestrian crossings.
  
• The first crossing will be on your right.
  
• At the first crossing, there are 3 lanes of traffic approaching from the left.
  
• After the first crossing, turn right to face the second pedestrian crossing.
  
• At the second crossing, there is one lane of traffic, coming from your left.
  
• There is tactile paving and dropped kerbs on either side of each crossing.
  
• Each crossing point is controlled by a visual indicator.
  
• The visual indicators are activated by push buttons, which are between 95cm and 105cm in height.
  
• There are audible indicators and rotating cones located at the base of the push button boxes to indicate when it is safe to cross.

You are on Donegall Place to Castle Place. Skip to the next section.

Donegall Place to Castle Place

• Continue north along Donegall Place for approximately 200m.
  
• The pavement has block paving, drainage channels and stone slab surfaces.
  
• There is some patterned block paving that may look like steps.
  
• There is seating available along this section of the route.
  
• There are clear directional signs for the route, which are above head height.

You are on Crossing Point - Castle Place. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Castle Place

• The crossing will be directly ahead.
  
• At this crossing, there is one lane of traffic approaching from the right.
  There is tactile paving and dropped kerbs on either side of the crossing.
  The crossing point is controlled by a visual indicator.
  
• The visual indicators are activated by push buttons, which are between 95cm and 105cm in height.
  
• There are audible indicators and rotating cones located at the base of the push button boxes to indicate when it is safe to cross.

You are on Castle Place to Bridge Street. Skip to the next section.

Castle Place to Bridge Street

• Follow the pavement alongside Royal Avenue for approximately 100m.
  Turn right into Rosemary Street and continue to the end, keeping to the left for approximately 150m.
  
• Turn right at the end of the street and follow the pavement alongside Bridge Road for approximately 80m.
  
• There are bollards at the end of Rosemary Street.
  
• The bollards are 92cm high, with a width of 110cm between them and have low colour contrast.
  
• The route has slight slopes, and tarmac, block and brick paving surfaces.
  
• There are some promotional signs which may obstruct the pavements on this stretch of the route.

You are on Crossing Point - Bridge Street. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Bridge Street

• The crossing will be on your left.
  
• At this crossing, there are 4 lanes of traffic approaching from both directions.
  
• There is tactile paving and dropped kerbs on either side of the crossing.
  The crossing point is controlled by a visual indicator.
  
• The visual indicators are activated by push buttons. The push buttons are between 95cm and 105cm in height.
  
• There are audible indicators and rotating cones located at the base of the push button boxes to indicate when it is safe to cross.

You are on Bridge Street to High Street. Skip to the next section.

Bridge Street to High Street

• Continue north along Bridge Road, following the pavement for approximately 80m.
  
• Follow the pavement round to the right, onto Waring Street and continue along the pavement for approximately 120m.
  
• Turn right onto Skipper Street and follow the pavement to the end of the street, for approximately 80m.
  
• Turn right onto High Street and proceed along the pavement for 120m.
  The pavement has brick, tarmac, block and cobbled brick surfaces.
  Some of the pavements are slightly sloped across the width of the path.
  There are bollards at the end of Bridge Street.
  
• The bollards are 92cm in height, with a width of 104cm between them and have medium colour contrast.
  
• Additional obstructions along the route include bicycle railings and temporary scaffolding which is well marked.

You are on Crossing Point - High Street. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - High Street

• The crossing will be on your left.
  
• At this crossing, there are 3 lanes of traffic approaching from both directions.
  
• There is tactile paving and dropped kerbs on either side of the crossing.
  The crossing point is controlled by a visual indicator.
  
• The visual indicators are activated by push buttons, which are between 95cm and 105cm in height.
  
• There are audible indicators and rotating cones located at the base of the push button boxes to indicate when it is safe to cross.

You are on High Street to Victoria Square Shopping Centre. Skip to the next section.

High Street to Victoria Square Shopping Centre

• Proceed to your right after the crossing and continue along the pavement to approximately 100m.
  
• Turn left onto Cornmarket and continue for approximately 90m.
  
• When you reach Arthur Square, turn left onto Ann Street and proceed for approximately 130m.
  
• Turn right toward Victoria Square Shopping Centre, keeping to the left of the entrance.
  
• The pavement has brick, tarmac, block and cobbled brick surfaces.
  Some of the pavements have drainage channels and patterns which may look like steps.
  
• There are bollards at the beginning of Corn Market.
  
• The bollards are 102cm high and have low colour contrast.
  
• Additional obstructions along the route include large planters, bicycle railings and marketing boards.

You are on Victoria Square Shopping Centre to Victoria Street. Skip to the next section.

Victoria Square Shopping Centre to Victoria Street

• Proceed through the shopping centre, keeping to the left for approximately 100m.
  
• At the central junction, turn left to exit via the Victoria Street exit.
  Continue down the ramp and turn right onto the pavement alongside Victoria Street.
  
• Proceed alongside Victoria Street for approximately 90m.
  
• The route has block paving and tarmacked surfaces.
  
• Some of the paths have patterns which may looks like steps.
  
• There are bollards at the Victoria Street exit.
  
• The bollards are 102cm high and have low colour contrast.
  
• There are standard and accessible toilets available at the Ann Street entrance to Victoria Square.
  
• For more information about the entrances, the lift and the standard and accessible toilets at Victoria Square Shopping Centre please click here (opens in a new tab).

You are on Crossing Point - Victoria Street. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Victoria Street

• The crossing will be on your left.
  
• At this crossing, there are 3 lanes of traffic approaching from the right.
  There is tactile paving and dropped kerbs on either side of the crossing.
  The crossing point is controlled by a visual indicator.
  
• The visual indicators are activated by push buttons, which are between 95cm and 105cm in height.
  
• There are audible indicators and rotating cones located at the base of the push button boxes to indicate when it is safe to cross.

You are on Victoria Street to Oxford Street. Skip to the next section.

Victoria Street to Oxford Street

• Continue straight ahead along the pedestrianised Chichester Street for approximately 150m.
  
• The pavement has block paving surfaces.
  
• There are bollards at the start, mid and end points of Chichester Street.
  The bollards are 95cm high, with a width of 108cm between them and have low colour contrast.
  
• There is seating available along this section of the route.
  
• There are clear directional signs for the route, which are above head height.

You are on Crossing Point - Oxford Street. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Oxford Street

• The crossing will be ahead of you.
  
• At this crossing, there are 4 lanes of traffic approaching from the left.
  There is tactile paving and dropped kerbs on either side of the crossing.
  The crossing point is controlled by a visual indicator.
  
• The visual indicators are activated by push buttons, which are between 95cm and 105cm in height.
  
• There are audible indicators and rotating cones located at the base of the push button boxes to indicate when it is safe to cross.

You are on Oxford Street to Lagan Weir Footbridge. Skip to the next section.

Oxford Street to Lagan Weir Footbridge

• Continue straight on from the crossing, bypassing the steps ahead and using the ramp in the middle.
  
• The ramp is steep with no handrails.
  
• Cross the square, which has a steep slope, keeping to the left hand side for approximately 50m.
  
• Continue down the ramp from the top of the slope, towards the river and turn left at the bottom.
  
• The ramp is steep with a handrail in the centre.
  
• Follow the path alongside the river, keeping left for approximately 90m.
  When the path opens out, keep to the left and head towards the covered walkway to the left of the steep ramp.
  
• Continue up the slope under the covered walkway for approximately 80m and proceed to the crossing point.
  
• Continue straight ahead after crossing the Queen's Bridge and follow the path alongside the river for approximately 50m.
  
• Cross the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the crossing point and turn left onto the pavement alongside the A2 / Donegall Quay, continuing for approximately 100m.
  
• The Lagan Weir, and finishing point, will be on your right.
  
• There are stone bollards along this route.
  
• The bollards are 48cm high, with a width of 150cm between them and have low colour contrast.
  
• The route has block paving, stone slabs and cobbled brick paving.
  There is seating available along this section of the route.
  
• There are clear directional signs for the route, which are above head height.

You are on Crossing Point - Queen's Bridge. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Queen's Bridge

• There are two pedestrian crossings.
  
• The first crossing will be ahead of you.
  
• At the first crossing, there are 2 lanes of traffic approaching from the right.
  
• After the first crossing, turn slightly right for the second pedestrian crossing.
  
• At the second crossing, there are 2 lanes of traffic coming from your right.
  
• There is tactile paving and dropped kerbs on either side of each crossing.
  
• Each crossing point is controlled by a visual indicator.
  
• The visual indicators are activated by push buttons, which are between 95cm and 105cm in height.
  
• There are audible indicators and rotating cones located at the base of the push button boxes to indicate when it is safe to cross.

You are on Crossing Point - Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Queen Elizabeth II Bridge

• The crossing will be ahead of you.
  
• At this crossing, there are 3 lanes of traffic approaching from the left.
  There is tactile paving and dropped kerbs on either side of the crossing.
  The crossing point is controlled by a visual indicator.
  
• The visual indicators are activated by push buttons, which are between 95cm and 105cm in height.
  
• There are audible indicators and rotating cones located at the base of the push button boxes to indicate when it is safe to cross.

You are on Lagan Weir. Skip to the next section.

Lagan Weir

• The route ends at the foot of the Lagan Weir footbridge.
  
• The bridge connects Donegall Quay with Queen's Quay.
  
• The Lagan Maritime Trail and Titanic Trail meet at this point.
  
• There is seating available near the base of the Lagan Weir Footbridge.
  The bench seats do not have armrests available.
  
• For more information about the Lagan Maritime Trail, please click here (opens in a new tab)
  
• For more information about the Titanic Trail, please click here (opens in a new tab).