Walk Florencecourt’s living landscape
Florencecourt Forest Park covers an area of 1,200 hectares and this old estate forest and moorland is currently managed by the National Trust.
The Florencecourt Forest Trail is one of the walks on offer within Cuilcagh Mountain Park and is Section Five of the Cuilcagh Way, a waymarked route that stretches for 20.5 miles / 33.5km through a breath-taking patchwork of habitats in west Fermanagh. The route provides stunning views, fascinating geology, mystifying wildlife, captivating archaeology, and natural history and can be walked in sections. The trail is also surrounded by corridors of lofty trees, dynamic rivers, rambling stone field walls, a rich treasury of wildflowers and a unique density of rustic farmsteads.
Walking Trail
When starting your walk from the Florencecourt House carpark follow the waymarked red trail, which takes you along narrow tracks that twist and turn and undulating course past mixed deciduous woodland crossing the Larganess River in several places. As you reach the edge of the forest you will pick up the trail sign for the Cuilcagh Way (Florencecourt Forest Trail). It weaves its way through forests alive with a wide variety of wildlife, birds, and plants before sauntering around the foothills of the Marlbank karst region, an area of limestone with characteristic weathering both above and below ground.
There are no significant climbs but along the western section of the trek there are some splendid views of Cuilcagh Mountain and the surrounding Marlbank hills. Attractions along the way include Gortmaconnell Rock, a knoll-shaped hill rising out of the green meadows with its craggy white slopes stark in the sunlight.
Please be Aware
- Weather conditions on Cuilcagh can be quick to change and inhospitable all year-round making way finding difficult in poor visibility at any time of the year.
- Equip yourself for walking in a mountainous area, waterproof clothing, boots, spare clothing, map, compass, first aid, food, drink, etc.
- Cuilcagh is a working farm so be aware of livestock in the area.
- Mobile reception in the area is poor. Let someone know where you have gone and when you are expected back.
- In an Emergency – call 999 or 112 and ask for Mountain Rescue.
- Plan your visit, check social media for daily updates on visitors to the mountain, as the walk can take 8-10 hours on a busy day.
- No dogs are permitted on the Boardwalk.
Events or Walking Groups
For safety, conservation and insurance reasons, walk leaders and event organisers are not permitted to organise, advertise, or run an event of any nature in, or along any section of the Cuilcagh Way, where participants exceed 20, without prior written consent from the Marble Arch Caves.
Application forms are available from the Marble Arch Caves and should be submitted well in advance of a planned walk or event.
Please contact mac@fermanaghomagh.com for more information.