Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail
Distance 6km
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.
Car park – Option 1
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
Car park – Option 2
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.
Walking Trail
Distance 4 miles / 6.5km
Route Linear
Time 3 hours round trip
Terrain Gravel track, wooden boardwalk, and steep staircase
Map Discover Series OSNI Sheet 26
Dogs Dogs are not permitted
Wheelchair accessible No
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.
