Big Forest,
Bigger Views
Big Dog Forest, cloaked largely with conifers, dotted with open stretches of upland landscapes and lakes, offers astonishing views, wilderness, and exploration with the highlight being the 360-degree view from the top of Little Dog.
The 1,097 hectares of forest is steeped in history and has an abundance of wildlife as varied as red deer, herons, dragonflies, and the Irish hare. This is truly a magical spot offering a great day out for all the family. Big Dog Forest along with Carrigan, Ballintempo Dog, Conagher and Lough Navar forests in west Fermanagh combine to form the largest continuous tract of forest in Northern Ireland covering over 8,500 hectares.
Big Dog Walk
The initial part of the walk takes you along forest tracks, through Sitka spruce conifer plantations before opening out onto a causeway that bisects Lough Nabrickboy. Continuing across the causeway, magnificent views of this upland lake can be appreciated, and a secluded picnic spot provides the perfect setting for a woodland feast. Travelling onwards the trail links onto a moorland path which skirts the shores of Loughs Doo and Nabrickboy where many species of damsel and dragonflies can be seen particularly in late summer. Little Dog viewpoint can be reached by a short but rewarding climb. Once the site of a Forest Service fire tower, the remnants of which remain today, the viewpoint offers wonderful 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding area. Many of the smaller lakes are only visible from this dramatic vantage point. To the North is Meenagleragh Lough, further out to the west is Donegal Bay and to the South is the companion hill of Big Dog.