Walking Cavan, Leitrim, Fermanagh, Sligo and Roscommon
24/08/2009 The Cavan, Leitrim, Fermanagh, Sligo and Roscommon region has an amazing landscape. Walking is a great way to explore, appreciate and enjoy it.
Throughout the region there are a number of "waymarked ways".
These "waymarked ways" are signposted with a walking man.
Here are some of them.
SLI LIATROMA-THE LEITRIM WAY:
This 48km/30mile walk is from Drumshanbo to Manorhamilton. It takes you along Lough Allen and the rugged Barlear wilderness. This walk also links up with The Arigna Miners Way and The Cavan Way.
ARIGNA MINERS WAY & HISTORICAL TRAIL:
These way-marked walking routes form a network of paths through the counties of Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo.
The walks cover 118 kilometres /74 miles, ascending some 2000 feet.
The Miners Way begins in Arigna and follows many of the paths used by the Miners going to work in the Arigna Coal Mines. This walk continues via Keadue, Ballyfarnon and Corrie Mountain to return to Arigna.
The Historical Trail section leaves the miners way at Keadue going westward through Lough Key Forest Park and into Boyle. It then takes you across the Curlew and Bricklieve Mountains into Castlebaldwin. From here its onto Highwood, and back to the Miners Way at Ballyfarnon.
CUILCAGH SUMMIT WALK:
This walk is approx 15km/9miles from The Cuilcagh Mountain car park to the top of The Cuilcagh Mountain. The park authorities prefer and recommend walkers to return by the same route. The complete walk can easily take 4-6 hours to complete.
On a clear day the views from the summit across Donegal, Fermanagh, Cavan, Sligo and Leitrim are among the best in Ireland. You should be able to see the Atlantic at Donegal Bay, the Donegal Hills and Lough Melvin. There are also great views of Belmore Mountain- the highest in Fermanagh and Lough MacNean.
At the top the ridge is approx 4km long and care is needed when walking along it. You should also see steam rising on the slopes of Tiltinbane from what is now believed to be the true source of the the River Shannon.
CAVAN WAY:
This is a connecting walk between the Leitrim Way at Dowra and the Ulster Way at Blacklion. It is approx 26km/16miles past the Shannon Pot, megalithic tombs in the burren, sweathouses and famine cottages. There are also some truly amazing views. From some of the highest points you can see across counties Leitrim, Sligo and Fermanagh.
GLENFARNE DEMENSE:
There are three looped walks here. The Yellow Walk, The Orange Walk and the Purple Walk. It features three of the eleven sculptures on the Lough MacNean Sculpture Trail. These sculptures were installed in 2000.
The Yellow Walk(approx12km/7.5miles) starts at the entrance to the wood and takes you around its perimeter and through some neighbouring farming land. A good part of the walk is along the shore of Lough Macnean with beautiful views across the lake. This is then followed by a considerable distance on narrow public roads.
The Orange Walk. The starting point for this is the picnic area on the lake shore. It is a loop of approx 4km/2.5miles and should take about 1.5hrs. It passes through some of the highest parts of the wood and along the shore of Lough Macnean.
From Myles Big Stone there is a wonderful view of Lough Macnean. This Stone is thought to have been a place of worship in olden times.
The Purple Walk is the shortest at only 2.5km/1.5miles and should take about an hour. This starts from the picnic area on the lakeshore taking you through woodland and along the shoreline.
SLIABH AN IARANN WAY:
This is made up of a series of looped walks of between 5 and 16 miles in length. These walks take in Aughacashel, Ballinamore and Aughnasheelin. They cover narrow mountain roads, forestry land and marshland.
THE SLIGO WAY:
The Sligo Way is approx 80km/50miles. Starting at Lough Talt on the Sligo/Mayo border it travels along the foothills of the Ox Mountains. It then passes Lough Easky, climbs and crosses the Ox Mountains continuing through the towns of Collooney, Coolaney and Ballygawley. This walk ends in the vey pretty village of Dromahaire on the Eastern shore of Lough Gill in Co. Leitrim.
THE SUCK VALLEY WAY:
This walk covers 60 miles/100km through West Roscommon and East Galway. The way passes through the "Nine Friendly Villages", Ballygar, Creggs, Glinsk, Ballymoe, Ballintubber, Dunamon, Castlecoote, Athleague and Castlecoote.
It is unusual among Irish Waymarked Ways because for most of it's length it lies across lowland farms. www.suckvalley.com
SLIABH BAN:
To the southeast of Strokestown is Sliabh Bán Mountain. Take a forest walk up the mountain some 20km/12miles and enjoy the panoramic views.
From the summit you can certainly see across 13 counties and all four provinces. To the west of the summit is Croagh Patrick and to the east you can see the Shannon river. Contact: Pat Compton Tel: 087 2361794
Within the long walks there are a number of shorter trails. For more details go to the following sites.
www.coillteoutdoors.ie
www.irishtrails.ie
www.walkingwildireland.com
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