Start : Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, 43 Marlbank Road Legnabrocky Florencecourt County Fermanagh Northern, Enniskillen. (BT92 1ER)
(S/E) From the Cuilcagh Mountain Park car park, follow the Cuilcagh Boardwalk trail South 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.
(1) Continue along the gravel vehicle track the landscape starts to change to blanket bog where the unmistakable, flat-topped ridge of Cuilcagh Mountain is visible in 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 4 Km, start your ascent of Cuilcagh Mountain. The way is negotiated by a section of boardwalk, providing protection to the sensitive blanket bog beneath. (A)
Your final ascent is via a steep section of steps, nicknamed the ‘Stairway to Heaven’- these are not for the faint of heart!
(2) As you steadily climb you meander and weave your way through a rugged boulder landscape to eventually reach the viewing platform.
(3) 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 before starting your decent and reaching the starting point. (S/E)