Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail
Ulster
The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, also known as the "Stairway to Heaven," is a popular hiking route located on Cuilcagh Mountain, the highest peak in both County Fermanagh and County Cavan. Opened in 2015 to protect the fragile peatland bog, the trail offers a 6 km linear walk starting from Legnabrocky Car Park, featuring a wide gravel path followed by a steep ascent of 450 wooden steps leading to a viewing platform near the summit. The mountain itself is a sandstone and shale formation with a cliff-edged summit formed from Lackagh Sandstone, surrounded by vast expanses of blanket bog and heather. The trail traverses a European Designated Special Area of Conservation and is part of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, a UNESCO-recognized transnational geopark. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape from the summit platform, while experiencing one of the most important upland insect habitats in Ireland. The trail demands moderate to difficult fitness levels and is best enjoyed with appropriate footwear and preparation for changing weather. Dogs are not permitted, and visitors are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles to preserve the natural environment. The trail has significantly increased tourism to the area, highlighting the importance of sustainable visitor management to protect this unique natural heritage.
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Créez un itinéraire détaillé en quelques minutes. L'IA suggère les meilleurs endroits, restaurants et un itinéraire optimisé.
Astuce: Wear sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots and weather-appropriate clothing. Carry water and snacks, and prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions. Follow Leave No Trace principles to protect the sensitive bogland. Note there are no toilets on the trail; facilities are available at nearby Killykeegan Nature Reserve. Parking requires prior arrangement, with paid options available at Legnabrocky Car Park and free parking at Killykeegan. Dogs are not allowed on the trail. Emergency services can be reached by calling 999 or 101 for Mountain Rescue. The best time to visit is during dry weather to safely navigate the wooden steps and boggy terrain.
Faits intéressants
- •Cuilcagh is the highest point in both County Fermanagh and County Cavan, and Ireland's only cross-border county top.
- •The mountain's name means 'chalky peak' but its geology is mostly sandstone and shale covered with bog and heather.
- •Water from the southern slope flows underground to the Shannon Pot, the traditional source of the River Shannon.
- •The Cuilcagh Mountain area supports a rich assemblage of upland insects, making it one of Ireland's most important insect habitats.
- •The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, which includes Cuilcagh, is the world's first transnational geopark, spanning Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Histoire
Cuilcagh Mountain has been historically significant since at least the early 17th century, noted in land grants during the Plantation of Ulster in 1609.
The mountain's name derives from the Irish word for "chalky," although its geology is mainly sandstone and shale.
In 1998, the Cuilcagh Mountain Park was established to protect the area, later becoming part of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark in 2004, recognized as the world's first transnational geopark in 2008.
The Boardwalk Trail was opened in 2015 to prevent peatland erosion caused by increasing visitor numbers, transforming the mountain into a major tourist destination while aiming to conserve its delicate ecosystem.
Guide du lieu
Boardwalk Trail Path2015
The trail begins at Legnabrocky Car Park and follows a 5 km wide gravel track through extensive blanket bog, leading to a series of 450 wooden steps ascending to the summit viewing platform.
Summit Viewing Platform2015
Located at the top of the wooden steps near the mountain summit, this platform offers panoramic views over the surrounding landscape, including the Fermanagh lakelands and distant hills.
Contact
Téléphone: 028 6632 1815
