Attractions and Places To See around Carrownalegg - Top 18

The area around Carrownalegg is rich in history. You can explore ancient megalithic tombs at Giant's Grave & Giant's Cave, which are steeped in local Irish legends. Another significant site is Cavan Burren Park Megalithic Stones, an ancient Stone-Age park featuring archaeological and geological wonders within a unique forest landscape.

Absolutely! The most popular natural attraction is the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail (Stairway to Heaven), which offers impressive moorland scenery and leads to a summit plateau with breathtaking views. You can also visit Lower Lough MacNean, a beautiful lake within the Marble Arch Caves Geopark, known for its diverse wildlife and a 42-mile sculpture trail.

The region offers a variety of outdoor activities, primarily hiking and gravel biking. You can find numerous trails, including easy and moderate options, as well as more challenging routes. For hiking, explore options like the Belmore Forest loop or the Cavan Way. Gravel biking routes include scenic loops from Blacklion to Dowra. You can find more details on these activities in the hiking guide and gravel biking guide for Carrownalegg.

While specific 'family-friendly' categories aren't listed for all attractions, many of the natural sites offer accessible options. The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, though strenuous in parts, features a well-laid wooden walkway that can be enjoyed by families. For easier walks, consider routes like the Marble Arch Caves via Cladagh River or the Tullygobban Tomb loop, which are listed as easy hikes in the easy hikes guide.

You can park at the Cuilcagh Mountain Park Car Park, which serves as an ideal starting point for the hike to the Stairway to Heaven. There are three parking spaces available, with some reserved for larger vehicles or motorhomes. A steward will direct you upon arrival, and there is a parking fee of 5 GBP or 6 Euros, payable in cash.

The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail is a well-known trail that leads across impressive moorland to a summit plateau. It features a wooden walkway, often referred to as the 'Stairway to Heaven,' which makes the ascent manageable. While strenuous, it's highly rewarding, offering stunning views and leading to a historic Bronze Age burial mound.

The Cuilcagh Mountain Park Car Park is noted as wheelchair accessible, suggesting that at least the immediate vicinity or certain sections of the park might be suitable. However, the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail itself, while having a boardwalk, is described as strenuous, so full accessibility along the entire trail may vary. It's best to check specific trail conditions for detailed accessibility information.

The area, particularly around Lower Lough MacNean, is part of the Marble Arch Caves Geopark, which preserves ancient landscapes. The reedbeds, fen peats, wet grasslands, and wet woodland around the lake are home to diverse mammals, insects, and birds, offering opportunities for wildlife spotting.

While the main attractions are well-regarded, exploring the various loop walks and trails can lead to discovery. For instance, the Cavan Burren Park Megalithic Stones offer a unique forest landscape with massive mythological sacred stones and technical trails that might feel like a hidden adventure. The 42-mile sculpture trail around Lower Lough MacNean also provides a chance to explore less-traveled paths and discover local history and nature.

Visitors frequently praise the stunning natural beauty and the sense of accomplishment from trails like the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, often highlighting the rewarding views from the summit. The historical sites, such as Giant's Grave & Giant's Cave and Cavan Burren Park Megalithic Stones, are appreciated for their ancient significance and the intriguing legends surrounding them. The unique geological and archaeological features of the region are also a major draw.

It's important to note that the Sligo Road from Enniskillen to Belcoo, which runs near Lower Lough MacNean, is generally not regarded as cycle-friendly due to its extremely poor surface and very bendy sections. Cyclists are advised to consider alternative routes, such as via Five Points on Swanlinbar Road, or the old rail line from old Letterbreen railway station towards Lough MacNean for a more pleasant and safer experience.

For those seeking easier walks, options include the Belmore Forest loop via Pollnagollum Cave, the Marble Arch Caves via Cladagh River, and the Tullygobban Tomb – Giant's Grave & Giant's Cave loop. These trails offer accessible distances and less challenging terrain, perfect for a relaxed outdoor experience. More details can be found in the easy hikes guide for Carrownalegg.