Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail, Fermanagh

We decided to head for County Fermanagh, one of the six counties of Northern Ireland. Crossing the border at Blacklion, we followed the signposts toward the Marble Arch Caves. Having visited these spectacular caves before, we opted to skip them this time and continue on to Cuilcagh Mountain Park, located about 1 km beyond the Marble Arch Caves car park.

There is plenty of parking available at the start of the trail, and even toilet facilities — always a welcome sight before a long walk. Cuilcagh Mountain Park, established in 1998, was created to restore damaged peatland, protect the blanket bog, and raise awareness of this unique habitat.
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More recently, the park unveiled its new boardwalk and stairway, a feature that has made the climb to the 665‑metre summit of Cuilcagh far more accessible for walkers. It’s an impressive addition and one that has transformed the experience of reaching the top.

Setting off on our walk, the first piece of advice is simple: be prepared. Reaching the summit of Cuilcagh Mountain requires walking roughly 12 km along a linear trail, so it’s wise to bring snacks, plenty of water, and wear sturdy shoes and a good jacket. The weather can change quickly — what begins as a sunny stroll can easily turn into a wet and windy climb.

The first 3.75 km follow a wide bog road that gradually leads toward the mountain. Leaving the car park, the landscape shifts quickly from limestone and grassland to open bog. Along the way, small signs mark the remaining distance to the new boardwalk. About halfway, an educational boardwalk loops through a section of conserved bogland. Here, bog cotton sways in the breeze, birds hide among the vegetation, and streams weave their way through this ancient landscape.
Beyond this point, the bog road begins to rise steadily, opening up expansive views stretching as far as County Leitrim and Enniskillen.

After roughly 3.75 km, we reached the new boardwalk. Where the old path once cut straight through the bog, you can now walk comfortably along the raised walkway. It was installed to protect the rare blanket bog from erosion, and it makes this section of the trail both easier and more enjoyable.
Following the boardwalk, we soon arrived at the stairway. It’s an impressive sight — a long, steep staircase built directly up the mountainside. While it still requires a bit of effort, the steps make the climb to the summit far more accessible.

After reaching the top, we chose to return the same way. However, if time isn’t an issue, you can continue along the Cuilcagh Hikers Trail all the way to Florence Court.
Since the boardwalk was added, this has become an extremely popular walk, especially on weekends. Our advice is to tackle the Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail during the week for a quieter and more enjoyable experience.