https://cuilcaghlakelands.org/geosite/cuilcagh-boardwalk-trail/
Please note that access to the summit of Cuilcagh Mountain beyond the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail viewing platform is currently not recommended. We ask visitors to keep to the designated trails and to remain within the confines of the viewing platform. The habitat in this area is fragile and we kindly request that walkers respect the environment and do not stray from the designated route. Your cooperation with this is appreciated. Please be advised there are a number of walking stile crossings along the farmland track and a stepped boardwalk and stairwells to the viewing platform.
The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail showcases the scenic wilderness of Cuilcagh Mountain. The trail meanders along a farmland track, through one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Northern Ireland, before traversing a wooden boardwalk that consists of a steady climb to the mountain face. Here a stepped boardwalk and stairwells climbs through steep terrain and boulders fields before reaching the viewing platform which provides breathtaking views of the surrounding lowlands.
The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail is one of the walks on offer within Cuilcagh Mountain Park and is Section Two of the Cuilcagh Way, a waymarked route that stretches for 20.5 miles / 33km through a breath-taking patchwork of habitats in west Fermanagh. The route provides breathtaking views, amazing geology, wonderful wildlife, captivating archaeology and can be walked in sections.
Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail
The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail is located on the Marlbank Road just past the entrance for the Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre. Follow signs for the Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre from Enniskillen. Take the A4 Sligo Road from Enniskillen. Turn left onto the A32 Swanlinbar Road. Turn right onto the Marble Arch Road. Turn left on to the Marlbank Road, still following the signs for the Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre. Along this narrow road, there will be a sign on your left-hand side for Cuilcagh Mountain Park, this is carpark option 1, for carpark option 2 continue along the road for a further 0.5 miles /1 km to the Killykeeghan Nature Reserve car park signed and located on your right-hand side.
Alternatively, search ‘Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail’ on Google.
This car park is located at the start of the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail and can accommodate a limited number of cars and coach parking. This carpark is privately owned and is operating a pre booking system which can be accessed via www.theboardwalk.ie
Killykeeghan Nature Reserve car park is located a further 0.5 miles / 1km past the entrance for the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail and can accommodate a limited number of cars and coaches. Admission is free and interpretation, a picnic area and toilets are provided.
The first part of the walk passes through a fascinating limestone landscape, often referred to as “The Fertile Rock” due to its flower-rich pastures. Visible along the trail you will see abandoned Irish cottages, dry stone walls and potato cultivation ridges (“lazy beds”) all remnants of Ireland’s past heritage.
Continuing along the gravel vehicle track the landscape starts to change to blanket bog where the unmistakable, flat-topped ridge of Cuilcagh Mountain is visible on the horizon. In the Spring, an abundance of bog cotton carpets the bog in a blanket of white, while in late summer the purple moor grass glistens with shades of red and purple.
After 2.4 miles you start your ascent of Cuilcagh Mountain. The way is negotiated by a section of boardwalk, providing protection to the sensitive blanket bog beneath. If you are fortunate, you may catch a glimpse of a red grouse. The bird’s most obvious features are its plump shape, white eyelids with bright pinkish-red combs above, and feathered legs and feet. They stay on the heath all year round eating the short, succulent shoots of heather.
Your final ascent is via a steep section of steps, these are not for the faint of heart! As you steadily climb you meander and weave your way through a rugged boulder landscape to eventually reach the viewing platform. The viewing platform positioned precariously at the edge of the mountain plateau offers breath taking views over the surrounding landscape and an opportunity to take a well-deserved rest.
A rough mountain path negotiates the wild summit plateau before reaching an ancient cairn (the remains of a burial mound dating from the Bronze Age 2,500 – 500 BC) that stands at 665m above sea level.
The habitat on Cuilcagh Mountain is very sensitive to the footfall of walkers and the boardwalk was constructed to prevent walkers from damaging the protected blanket bog. It is important to stay on the designated path in order to protect this beautiful habitat for future generations.
Please be aware:
For safety, conservation and insurance reasons, walk leaders and event organisers are not permitted to organise, advertise, or run an event of any nature in, or along any section of the Cuilcagh Way, where participants exceed 20, without prior written consent from the Marble Arch Caves. Application forms are available from the Marble Arch Caves and should be submitted well in advance of a planned walk or event. Please contact mac@fermanaghomagh.com for more information.
Often named “The stairway to heaven”, Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail was opened to preserve and protect the underlying peatland bog and reverse the erosion of this special site.
However, shortly after this, the boardwalk served another purpose, attracting swarms of visitors. In 2015, the trail’s footfall rose from around 3,000 per annum to a huge 60,000.
A rough mountain path negotiates the wild summit plateau before reaching an ancient cairn (the remains of a burial mound dating from the Bronze Age 2,500 – 500 BC) that stands at 665m above sea level.
To protect the natural scenic beauty of the Mournes and maintain Cuilcagh Mountain’s delicate ecosystem, Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark along with its partners, is seeking to minimise the impact of visitors on this mountain.
Cuilcagh Mountain, straddling the border between County Fermanagh and County Cavan is at the heart of Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark and is an Area of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation due to the presence of a number of rare and notable habitats and species and geological features. Human influence on Cuilcagh Mountain dates back to the Neolithic farmers (4,000 – 2,500 BC) who constructed many megaliths, or stone tombs used as burial places. However, some of the most identifiable features date from the Bronze Age (2,500 – 500BC), large burial cairns which are located on the western and eastern ends of the summit.
Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, together with key stakeholders including local landowners, Statutory Agencies such as Northern Ireland Environment Agency/National Parks and Wildlife Service and Conservation Organisations such as Ulster Wildlife and RSPB are responsible for managing this important conservation site, with support from environmental and outdoor recreation bodies such as Mountaineering Ireland and various Rambling Clubs.
We recognise that memorials placed on the mountain is a sensitive and delicate issue, but the placement of memorials has the potential to alter the character of the mountain and change the experience of other people who visit.
After careful consideration it has been agreed that memorials and mementos left on the mountain will be removed to ensure the natural beauty and character of Cuilcagh Mountain remains for everyone to enjoy.
Any memorials removed from the mountain will be stored at the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark Office, MacNean Resource Centre, Blacklion, T+353 (0)71 9853692 for a three-month period to enable those who left the items to collect them.
We would like to thank visitors for your support.
Marlbank, Fermanagh
The narrow-steep sided gorge of the Cladagh Glen is one of the most picturesque ...
Florence Court, Fermanagh
Corridors of lofty trees, dynamic rivers, rambling stone field walls, a rich tre...
Marlbank, Fermanagh
The reserve's limestone grassland is managed through conservation grazing and is...
Marlbank, Fermanagh
This delightful short walk leads you to one of the most incredible views in the ...
Burren, Cavan
A mythical, spiritual landscape of monuments, megalithic tombs, hut sites and pr...
Marlbank, Fermanagh
Cuilcagh Mountain Park takes in 2,500 hectares on the northern slopes of Cuilcag...
Derrylahan, Cavan
This tranquil Lough is part of a complex system of underground rivers associated...
Moneygashel, Cavan
Theremains of three stone Cashels, one of which has been described as 'the fines...
Distances are from Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail
This is a cooperation project between Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Cavan County Council.
This element of the project is part funded under Priority 6 (LEADER) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the European Union. We would like to acknowledge the assistance of County Cavan Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), Cavan County Council, Breffni Integrated CLG, Department of Rural and Community Development, the EU and EAFRD in part-funding this project. Funded by the Irish Government Under the Leader Programme 2014-2020.
