The summit is 665 metres ( 2188 feet).
Good boots, protective clothing, hill walking equipment and
emergency provisions are required for this walk. Conditions may be
poor in wet weather and even on fine days visibility can
deteriorate quickly.
OSNI Discoverer Series Sheet 26 - Lough Allen - 1:50000 scale
recommended.
The Reality
Cuilcagh, locally pronounced 'Kulkey', is one of the most
extensive areas of upland blanket bogs in Northern Ireland. It is
the highest mountain in both County Fermanagh and County
Cavan.
In the 1990's it was noticed that the Marble Arch Caves were
becoming more prone to flash floods and there was less warning of
rising water levels. This threatened both the natural history of
the area and tourism in the caves. The causes were found to be the
drainage of Cuilcagh bog to facilitate the extraction of turf by
mechanical diggers, and overgrazing by sheep. The latter resulted
in the loss of moss and heather, reducing the 'sponge' effect of
the ecosystem.
The land was leased by Fermanagh District Council, remedial
measures were put in place, the bog is now returning to its former
pristine state, and the threat to Marble Arch Caves has been
averted.
Flora and Fauna
Sphagnum Moss, Heathers, Starry Saxifrage, Stiff Sedge, insect
catching Sundew, Dwarf Willow and Alpine Clubmoss.
Mountain hares, various butterflies, Golden Plovers, Dunlin and
Whitefronted Geese.
The Legend
Many legends abound about the fairies and their crocks of gold
on the Cuilcagh Mountain. One story is told about a local young man
who had a dream about a crock of gold high up on the mountain. One
night he left his home in search of the gold. He had brought a
spade with him and began to dig when suddenly he hit the crock. A
hen flew out of the hole, and frightened him, and at this, he ran
the whole way home. At home he became very ill and his parents sent
for the priest who came and said prayers over him. The young man
began to improve and in a few days he was fit and well again but he
never found the crock of gold. There is a place called the 'gold
digging' in a river on the Cuilcagh mountain.
The Cache
You can look for the gold if you like, but you will probably
have more success with the cache. It is contained in a small 'ammo'
box and is hidden about 350 ft from the summit cairn.
Cache Contents
I have tried to put useful things in the cache rather than toys.
There are first aid items, a light stick, an LED head torch, a hand
warmer, 2 x AA batteries, a Silva compass/thermometer and a
whistle. I would ask that, if taken, these be replaced with similar
trades. You never know, someone might need them one day!
There is also a disposable camera for finders to take pictures
of themselves at the summit. The first picture is of me with the
cache at the summit. When fully used please retrieve and contact
me.
The Walk
The walk to the cache follows the same route up and down. It can
be conveniently divided into four parts. The first part is on a
specially designed floating road that consists of a geotextile
liner overlaid with gravel, which protects the bog. The second part
is along a waymarked trail and requires a little more effort! The
third part is a rocky climb to the summit. The final part is along
the ridge to the summit cairn.
Those cachers with mountain bikes will be able to use them for the
gravel road section but they won't be much use after that.
There are other routes up the mountain but this is probably the
easiest to follow. If you are interested in other routes have a
look at this site. Registration is required but it's free.
Click
here An alternative route is described in 'Coral Hike'
cache.
Part 1
At the start there is an information board giving background
information to the park Cross the stile and make your way up the
gravel road. The grassland eventually becomes bog and at one point
the road has been cut into the turf, and as you pass between the
walls you will see the remains of ancient trees, mostly silver
birch, embedded in it.
You are now entering the bog proper and after crossing the
Owenbrean river you shortly cross another stile. You will see
several dams made of straw, peat, wood and plastic, and there are
boardwalks out over the bog which allow you to experience the
living bog without trampling on it. Cross yet another stile and
continue to follow the roadway up through the blanket bog until it
ends.(just over 2 miles). In all there are 5 stiles.
Part 2
From the final stile on the gravel road you can spot the first
waymark post. These posts mark out the rough trail across the
remainder of the bog to the final summit. Underfoot is quite wet
and the going can be difficult, particularly after rain.
Great care must be taken to avoid bog holes and
swampy areas. Having said that, the walking is not too
difficult and the track is well waymarked.
Part 3
After the trek across the bog you are faced with the final
ascent to the summit. The climb is steep and rocky in places, but
not too challenging. The border between Northern Ireland and the
Republic runs along the spine of the summit and the park area is
fenced off on either side.
Part 4
Head for the summit cairn along the ridge. The waymarking posts
have now been continued all the way to the summit cairn but keep an
eye out for holes and small crevasses underfoot.It is a good idea
to mark at least a few of these posts on your GPSr in case cloud
should descend. In good visibility the summit is soon in sight.
From the end of the gravel road to the summit is again just over 2
miles.
Return by the same route.
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