Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail

Standing at the flat-topped summit of Cuilcagh Mountain, it’s easy to see why the zig-zagging boardwalk that leads to the top is called the “Stairway to Heaven”. From the viewing platform, it feels as though the whole world has been spread out at your feet. Rust-coloured blanket bog, scattered rocks and boulders, and the inky-blue glimmer of Lough MacNean combine to create a truly show-stopping panorama. With a trail that winds over the bog and climbs via steep steps all the way to the summit, the Cuilcagh Boardwalk is one of the island of Ireland’s most spectacular walks. Stretching over 6km, it’s a route that more than rewards the effort it takes to reach the top. 

Built on land owned by the Sheridan family, who are third-generation custodians, the boardwalk is intended to protect the fragile ecology of the site – one of the largest blanket bogs in Northern Ireland and home to many rare species, including red grouse, golden plover and a variety of unusual plants. By keeping walkers to a defined route, the boardwalk helps prevent erosion and preserves a habitat that has taken thousands of years to form. Cuilcagh Mountain itself is designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a Natura 2000 site and a wetland of international importance. 

The Cuilcagh Boardwalk is surrounded by the wild beauty and unique landscape of the Cuilcagh Lakelands Global Geopark, which stretches from the northern shores of Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh to the southern shores of Lough Oughter in County Cavan. Within it, you’ll find everything from fragrant forests to glistening lakes, as well as reminders of ancient human activity in the form of prehistoric tombs and Iron Age forts. Must-see attractions include the subterranean Marble Arch Caves and the dramatic Cavan Burren Park, one of the finest prehistoric relict landscapes in Ireland. Not far from here, you’ll also find the island town of Enniskillen, with its lakeside castle, buzzy restaurants, galleries, studios and craft shops.