WELCOME TO THE CAVAN COUNTY WALKS GUIDE County Cavan is a walker’s paradise, with a wide Strenuous: These are physically demanding trails and variety of walks for all. Walkers will enjoy country can be described as ‘muscle builders’. They may have lanes, winding forest tracks, breathtaking mountain moderately steep climbs for long sections. The going paths and tranquil lake shores. The walks in this guide underfoot can be extremely rough and can include are suitable for people who are reasonably fit and many obstacles. WALK should be within the capabilities of most. All walks All walks are way marked with information and map have been graded according to the level of difficulty boards. Information on visiting County Cavan is and an explanation of this is given below: available on www.thisiscavan.ie or by emailing Easy: Generally flat trails with some gentle slopes. [email protected] They can be described as ‘muscle looseners’ and can be walked in runners or other similar light footwear. Moderate: These trails can be described as ‘muscle stretchers’. The going underfoot can be poor or E w Q @thisiscavan. rough with some obstacles such as protruding roots Don’t forget to share your pictures with us on social media using or loose stones. Boots or strong walking shoes are #thisiscavan and to tag @thisiscavan generally required. 1 THE COUNTRYSIDE CODE When walking in the countryside, always remember • Park sensibly and don’t block exits that you may be walking through someone’s • Keep all dogs under control workplace. Careless behaviour, such as leaving farm • Don’t damage walls or fences gates open, can cause great problems for farmers. • Be careful with fire Litter can cause serious damage to livestock and • Dress sensibly wildlife. A little thought and common sense can • Please take your entire litter home ensure a good relationship between the farmer, the local community and the visitor. Respect the countryside by following the Countryside Code and Please remember that those walking the trails in this show that you respect and care for the beautiful booklet do so entirely at their own risk. countryside of County Cavan. 2 LEGEND INFORMATION Trail Head (Start) Cycle Trail Trail Head (Finish) Scenic views National Looped Walk Playground UNESCO Global Geopark Heritage Wheelchair/Multi Access Primary/Public Road Toilets Parking Picnic Tables Fishing 3 WALKING IN THE UNESCO MARBLE ARCH CAVES GLOBAL GEOPARK The UNESCO Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark There are numerous Geopark walks in this guide. stretches from the rolling lowlands of Lough Oughter These can be identified by the symbol shown below. in County Cavan to the rugged uplands on the northern shores of the Lower Lough Erne in County Geopark symbol Fermanagh, overlooked by the majestic Cuilcagh Mountain. For more information on Geoparks visit The Geopark received UNESCO status in 2008 in www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com recognition of the wonderful landscapes throughout this region. Geoparks are renowned for having a variety of other interesting features such as superb archaeology, interesting history, fascinating plants, wildlife and charming folklore. 4 LIST OF WALKS 1. The Cavan Way 16. Turbet Island, Belturbet 2. Cavan Burren Park 17. Belturbet Heritage Trail 3. Castle Lake & Forest Walk, Bailieborough 18. Castle Saunderson 4. Killykeen Forest Park 14 19. Cavan Heritage Trail 5. Dun an Rí Forest Park, Kingscourt 20. Cootehill Heritage Trail 2 6. Deerpark Forest, Virginia 15 11 1 9 7. Killeshandra Lake & Forest Walk 8. Woodford River Walk, Ballyconnell N87 8 18 9. Sean Eamon Ruairí Trail, Glangevlin 16 17 20 10. Lough an Leagh, Kingscourt N54 11. Hawkswood Trail, Swanlinbar 7 4 19 CAVAN 12. Mullagh Hill Walk 13 N55 13. Flemings Folly, Ballinagh N3 10 3 5 14. Blacklion Village Trail 15. Gowlan Loops 6 12 5 THE CAVAN WAY A national waymarked trail Distance 26km Grade Strenuous - The Cavan Way is a long distance route Terrain Varies between public road, forest and should not be undertaken without adequate preparation track, open ground and established trails Start & finish: Located in the heart of the Marble Nearby attractions: Cavan Burren Park; The Shannon Arch Caves Global Geopark in West Cavan, the Pot; Moneygashel Cashel; Marble Arch Caves Visitor linear Cavan Way is a beautiful hill and valley walk Centre; Florence Court House. between Dowra, a small village near the source of Nearby walks: Sean Eamon Ruairi Trail 09 ; Gowlan WALK the River Shannon and Blacklion. The first section Loops 15 ; Blacklion Village Trail 14 . 01 of the Cavan Way follows the course of the young Shannon River to its source at the mystical Shannon Pot. The walk travels along quiet country roads, valley landscapes and riverside paths. The Cavan Way traverses through the megalithic landscapes of Cavan Burren Park 02 affording breathtaking views of Lough MacNean and Cuilcagh Mountain before descending into the village of Blacklion, where a visit to the Market House Visitor Centre is a must for refreshments and more information on discovering the Geopark. Detailed maps of the Cavan Way can be found in the Market House Visitor Centre. 6 Blacklion N16 N16 Sligo Cavan CO. FERMANAGH Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre 200m Cavan Burren Park CO. CAVAN Marble Arch Caves 200m 400m 200m Shannon Pot 400m 0 2km Cuilcagh Mountain Dowra Glangelvin 7 0 1km 0 1km CAVAN BURREN PARK, BLACKLION Distance 1.3km-2.9km Terrain Forest tracks, lake shore paths (four trails: 10km in total) Grade Moderate Time 1 hour Start & finish: Located approximately 5km from the Trails: village of Blacklion. Take the R206 from Blacklion 1. The Calf House Dolmen multi-access trail (1.3km) for 1km. Turn left onto L1011/Cornagee road for 2. Tullygobbin Lough Trail (1.6km) 3km and left again at the entrance to the park. 3. The Giant’s Leap Trail (2.7km) WALK Cavan Burren Park is one of Ireland’s most beautiful 4. The Promontory Fort trail (2.9km) megalithic landscapes. Walkers can choose from four 02 Nearby attractions: The Shannon Pot; Moneygashel trails of varying lengths with a combined distance of Cashel; Whitefathers Cave; Marble Arch Caves Visitor 10km. Stories of giants and moving glaciers come Centre; Florence Court House. to life with every step you take in this breathtakingly beautiful prehistoric park. The 26km Cavan Way 01 Nearby walks: The Cavan Way 01 ; Gowlan Loops 15 ; and one of the Gowlan Loops 15 cuts through Cavan Sean Eamon Ruairi Trail 09 ; Blacklion Village Trail 14 . Burren Park. Walkers will enjoy exploring the visitor centre in Cavan Burren. Information and other services are also available at Market House Visitor Centre in Blacklion. 8 The Calf House Dolmen multi-access Trail 1. Tullygobban Viewpoint 2. Tullygobban Tomb 3. Looking East 256 1 3 4. Farmyard 2 5. Calf House Dolmen Tomb 6. Glacial Erratic 7. Karst Limestone 8. Forestry 5 9. Dolines/Sinkholes 3 4 257 2 4 250 2 3 3 1 1 4 2 5 9 1 1 2 8 7 Tullygobban Interpretive 6 Lough Centre 269 Cavan Way To Blacklion L1011 253 0 500 metres Entrance To Shannon Pot/ Moneygashel Cashel Giant’s Leap Trail Promontory Fort Trail 1. Limekiln 2501. Promontory Fort Tullygobban Lough Trail 2. Giant’s Grave 2. Old Farm Walls 1. Tullygobban Lough 3. The Woodland 3. Legnaveagh Sinkhole 2. Dessication Stones 4. Chert Working 4. Boulder Graveyard 3. Biodiversity 5. Giant’s Leap 9 200 Trail 1 (Calf House Dolmen Trail – Green Trail) Trail 2 (Giant's Leap Trail – Orange Trail) 1 Tullygobban Viewpoint 1 Limekiln 1 Tullygobban Lough 2 Tullygobban Tomb 2 Giant's Grave 2 Dessication Stones 3 Looking East 3 The Woodland 3 Biodiversity 4 Farmyard 4 Chert Working Car Park 5 Calf House Dolmen Tomb 5 Giant’s Leap 1 Smith's Walls 6 Glacial Erratic Trail 3 (Promontory Fort Trail – Purple Trail) 2 Sandstone Outcrop 7 Karst Limestone 1 Promontory Fort 8 Forestry P Parking 2 Old Farm Walls 9 Dolines/Sinkholes Picnic area 3 Legnaveagh Sinkhole 4 Boulder Graveyard Toilets Part of the National CASTLE LAKE, BAILIEBOROUGH Looped Walks Network Distance 3.5km / 6.5km Terrain Forest and lake shores on secure paths Time 45 mins / 1hour 45 mins Grade Easy Start & finish: Located just outside Bailieborough Points of interest: 1798 Rebel Hill Memorial; Sarah’s on the Shercock Road (R178). Follow the path Well; Marist Brothers Graves; Foundry. keeping the lake on your left. Further along there Nearby walks: Lough an Leagh 10 ; Dun an Rí Forest is a crossroads in the path. For the shorter walk, Park, Kingscourt 05 . WALK take a left and loop around the lake. For a longer 03 walk (6.5K) continue straight on, looking out for the graves of the Marist brothers who once occupied Bailieborough Castle. Continue left, crossing a small river and reaching a t-junction. Take a right and cross the river towards an old foundry. Re-trace your steps, cross back over the river, this time going straight on towards the Bog Lough on your right. Turn left to head back towards Castle Lake, this time keeping the lake on your left. There is a fairy fort half way around the lake above the pump house. Follow the path back to the car park. 10 Entrance Shercock Castle Lake Rebel Hill R178 Lakeland Daries Lear Bridge Cavan R165 Bog Lough Bailieborough Bailieborough 0 500m Lough 11 Rebel Hill KILLYKEEN FOREST PARK Distance 0.5km or 4.6km Terrain Forest park and lake shore on secure paths Time 15 mins to 2 hours Grade Easy to Moderate Start & finish: Killykeen Forest Park is located in Trails the heart of Irelands Hidden Heartlands between Killeshandra – Killykeen 0.5 - 20 Km Killeshandra and Cavan Town.