Walks

The Florencecourt and Cuilcagh Mountain area of South West Fermanagh is widely regarded as an area of outstanding natural beauty and also one of significant international scientific and historic importance. In recognition of these attributes the region has been awarded Geopark status by the European Commission, one of only twelve Geopark areas in Europe and the only one in Northern Ireland.

Florencecourt Forest Park

The adjoining Florencecourt Forest Park covers an area of around 3000 acres consisting of open mountain and blanket bog, a rich habitat supporting a wide variety of wildlife, birds and plants, bordered by large areas of forest and natural woodland, all accessible to the public. It has three forest trails of varying lengths, which are marked and mapped to guide walkers through some of the most beautiful parts of the park. The entrance to the forest park is about 200 metres from Benaughlin Cottages.

Check www.forestserviceni.gov.uk for details of trails and a map.

National Nature Reserves

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All the nature reserves have free admission and have good car parking facilities.

Killykeeghan and Crossmurrin National Nature Reserves are on the Marlbank scenic loop road.

Way marked trail through typical limestone karst scenery with sites of archaelogical interest. McGrath's cottage is a small interpretative centre.

Open: May to September

For further information check the Environment & Heritage Service's web-site.

Marble Arch National Nature Reserve is on the Florencecourt to Blacklion Road.

The car park is beside the Cladagh Bridge.

Footpath follows the Cladagh River upstream through native ash woodland, passing the Cascades River. It leads to the natural limestone arch which gives the glen its name. You can follow the trail right up to the Marble Arch Show Cave Visitor Centre.

Open all year round - For further information check the Environment & Heritage Service's web-site.

Hanging Rock and Rossaa National Nature Reserve is located on the Florencecourt to Blacklion Road and has a roadside car park.

Ash woodland at the foot of a distinctive limestone cliff. A short trail leads to Hanging Rock river rising.

Open all year round - check the Environment & Heritage Service's web-site.

Cuilcagh Mountain Park

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Car park is on Marlbank Scenic loop road close to entrance to the Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre.

A track and way marked hiker's trail to the summit of Cuilcagh Mountain (665m). Typical limestone scenery and a huge area of blanket bog.

Benaughlin

The Ulster Way and the Cavan Way are long distant trails which both pass close to Benaughlin Cottages.

Florencecourt House Grounds

Florencecourt House Pleasure Gardens are set below the stunning backdrop of Benaughlin and Trien Mountains. They are probably best in Spring just at the end of the daffodil season and when the rhodedendroms are in bloom. A working sawmill which is powered by a water wheel and an ice house can be viewed on the way.

There is a level trail suitable for wheelchair access and a powered wheelchair can be borrowed. For further information see www.ntni.org.uk

For details of more walks in the area the book, 25 walks in Fermanagh by Noel Parker and Eamonn Keaveney (£4.99) is recommended.

 Benaughlin Cottages
 Tully
 Florencecourt
 County Fermanagh
 Northern Ireland
 BT92 1FN

               Telephone: UK 028 6634 9847
               From ROI 048 6634 9847
               International (0044) 28 6634 9847
               E-Mail kcda@btconnect.com

© Benaughlin Cottages 2008