CUILCAGH BOARDWALK
CUILCAGH BOARDWALK
Copyright: NI EXPLORER
FERMANAGH’S “STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN”
Eh, so how do you pronounce that and where is it?
Clearing out a few hundred phone pics one day, we stumbled across 5 screenshots of this place, each one about a month apart and each one created with the intention of reminding us to get to this place ASAP!
Onto Google we go…”Mountain. Boardwalk. Northern Ireland”. Search.
How do you pronounce that?
GETTING THERE
UPDATE:
PARKING is now possible at the start of the walk (Marlbank Road). The car park is operated privately - £5 per vehicle.
Make sure you follow Marble Arch Caves Geopark on Facebook for the latest updates
From pretty much anywhere in Northern Ireland, set off in the direction of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh. Once there, you'll see signs for the famous Marble Arch Caves Geopark - follow these as they guide you south-west out of the town and into the countryside...
In this article/jump to: Getting there | What to bring | Arriving at the Cuilcagh-Legnabrocky Trail | The Boardwalk | Videos | Lucky Escape
~~~
Eventually you'll end up on the Marble Arch Road. You'll pass the entrance to Florence Court National Trust on the left (another one for the list, check it out), and then the entrance to the Marble Arch Caves on your right. Head on past this and around 1km down the narrow road the car park for Cuilcagh Mountain Park is on your left..
THE CUILCAGH LEGNABROCKY TRAIL
Cuilcagh, from the Irish meaning “chalky peak”, is Fermanagh’s highest mountain and sits right on the border of Co. Fermanagh in the north and Co. Cavan in the south of Ireland. Legnabrocky is the rural townland just to the north of the mountain’s summit and is where this walking trail begins.
In July 2016, the area gained popularity with the addition of a 1.6km boardwalk – created to protect the rare blanket bog beneath it from erosion caused by walkers as they made their journey across the 33km 'Cuilcagh Way'.
PACK A BAG
The pic above shows the extent of the facilities here.
No toilets, no shops for snacks and drinks - just a few picnic benches and some bushes to hide your modesty if needs must. Also, while the 1.6km photo-perfect boardwalk may be the reason you’re there, the overall walk from the car park to the top of it is around 7km – that’s about 3 hours there and back, taking it easy.
So get prepped before you go.
Bring water, snacks, and extra layers of clothing/waterproofs. Definitely wouldn’t recommend 6-inch heels, though trainers are fine for getting to the top as the terrain is mostly gravel path through farmland ahead of the boardwalk.
HERE WE GO
Hurdling the first farmer's gate and onto the gravel path, in no time the low winter sun was blinding, but made for some great pics.
Not too far up the first gentle hill, you'll see a boardwalk heading off to your left.
This is just a short circular loop which quickly joins back with the trail you were originally on. A good one for kids or (and kidults that want to learn about wildlife), but if time's not on your side just skip on past it.
Source: Google Earth
Back on the main path again, it's worthwhile taking breaks and checking out the viewpoints as you start to gain height.
After about 45 minutes of fairly easy climbing, you'll reach the start of the boardwalk.
Just about visible in the distance you should be able to see the faint line as the boardwalk creeps up Cuilcagh Mountain.
Yes, you're climbing to the top of that mountain. You'll be grand.
THE BOARDWALK
As you look back you'll see the landscape stretch on for an eternity.
You'll also notice the pics are gradually getting darker - we set off at around lunchtime which was cutting it fine for making it back before the sun set.
Still epic views though!
LET THE FUN BEGIN
Arriving at the foot of the steps, you'll notice the introduction of a handrail - it's about to get a little bit tougher. As the steps zig-zag up the mountain though, there are lots of small platforms for you to catch your breath and take in the views.
If it's a sunny day, the place will likely be busy, so you'll probably end up using these points to let others past on the narrow boardwalk - a great excuse if you don't want to admit tiredness :)
At each point, it just gets better and better...
As the boardwalk twists round to the left, you'll get phenomenal views of the imposing mountainside, massive boulders and Lough Atona.
TOP OF THE WORLD
You've made it! You're now 550m higher than where you started - which is about two-thirds of Northern Ireland's highest mountain, Slieve Donard, in the Mournes.
If you want to go any further than this point, hiking boots are advised - unless you love the feeling of soggy, mucky trainers - and best to have done a bit of research in advance.
The top of the boardwalk is regularly closed to allow the land to recover from overuse, following the surge in the walk’s popularity.
Please do not climb over as you will be causing long term damage.
Also, please do not leave any litter behind, even the smallest amount. #LeaveNoTrace
You can download Walk NI's handy guide of the area here.
LUCKY ESCAPE
With the sun quickly disappearing, we didn't hang around too long at the top. Back down the steps we quickly went in what felt like a movie chase scene. As the light got darker, ominous clouds started to form over the mountaintop and in no time it was invisible - case in point for expecting the unexpected when it comes to the weather here.
Until next time Cuilcagh!
SIGN UP TO THE NI EXPLORER NEWSLETTER HERE - DON’T MISS AN UPDATE :)
LATEST NEWS & ADVENTURES👇
