Cuilcagh by the boardwalk
The 'Stairway to Heaven': a boardwalk across blanket bog to the summit plateau on the Fermanagh–Cavan border.
- Distance
- 19.1 km
- Ascent
- 560 m
- Time
- 5–7 h
- Grade
- Moderate
- Route
- Out and back
- High point
- 666 m
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About this walk
Cuilcagh by the boardwalk is a moderate 19.1 km out-and-back walk with 560 m of ascent, taking 5 to 7 hours. It starts at Cuilcagh Mountain Park (Legnabrocky Trail) (grid reference SA 223 984). It climbs Cuilcagh (666 m), a Hewitt.
Cuilcagh is the highest point in Fermanagh, on the border with County Cavan, in the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark. The Legnabrocky Trail follows a track and then a boardwalk across one of the largest areas of protected blanket bog in Northern Ireland.
The boardwalk ends in a long flight of steps up the escarpment, known as the Stairway to Heaven. From the top, the summit is a walk across the plateau.
Route
-
1
The boardwalk
Follow the track and boardwalk across the bog to the foot of the escarpment.
-
2
The Stairway to Heaven
Climb the steps and cross the plateau to the summit. Head back the way you came.
Summit
666 m
On the way
-
Marble Arch CavesCave · 700 m from the route
Questions about this walk
- How long does Cuilcagh by the boardwalk take?
- Most walkers take 5–7 hours for the 19.1 km route, which has 560 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at Cuilcagh Mountain Park (Legnabrocky Trail) (grid reference SA 223 984). Car park at the trailhead; it can fill at weekends.
- Can I get there by public transport?
- Not easily: there's no regular bus or train to the start, so you'll need a car, a lift or a long walk in.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded moderate. Gravel track, then a boardwalk and a long staircase; boggy plateau to the summit.
- Which hill does it climb?
- Cuilcagh (666 m, Hewitt).
- Can I take my dog?
- It isn't recommended for dogs. Before you go: Stay on the boardwalk to protect the bog. Dogs are not allowed.
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