Walking Trails, Cavan

Belturbet looped walks

Belturbet Walks and Heritage Group have kindly prepared a guide of looped walks in and around Belturbet at various distance and levels for your convience.

hey can be viewed and downloaded here – Front and back cover of booklet and the Belturbet Walks Inside Booklet

Killeshandra Forest Walk, Killeshandra

(part of Failte Ireland’s looped walks network)

At the Ulster Bank, walk down the hill on the Belturbet Road towards the Town Lake/Strand.  Parking available here. Walk along the lake shore for 500m then cross the Belturbet Road at the marked point, go up through a style and follow the trail up into the Forest. The forest is located on lands once owned by the English landlord, Lord Hamilton, and is rich in flora and fauna.

Walkers are likely to see red squirrels, pine martins, blue damselfly and numerous varieties of tree. Follow the path between Broomspark Lake and Tullyguide Lake (1.5km) until reaching a crossroads. Continue straight staying on the marked path. Turn right at Portnaquin and left at the next junction. Take the next right across the field in front of Pleasure Lake to the picnic area. Turn right and head back to Killeshandra walking through the town, turning right at the Ulster Bank, bringing you back to the Town Lake/Strand.

Distance: 6km

Grade: Easy / Moderate

Terrain: Forest path

Distance: 6 km

Approx time: 1 hour

Guided Nature Walks Killeshandra Forest

Phone: 087 669 9681

Email: heatherbothwell@eircom.net

Always wanted to know your trees, birds or insects? Enjoy a nature walk through the splendid Lough Oughter district in County Cavan, as your guide points out birds, wild flowers, trees, mini-beasts, spiders, dragonflys etc. Suitable for adults and accompanied children.

Burren Looped Walk, Burren Forest  – UNESCO Geopark Location

The walk begins at the entrance to the Burren Forest with exceptional views of Cuilcagh Mountain and its plateau topped profile. Continue into the Burren Forest, an active conifer forest owned and managed by Coillte. The Burren Forest contains a wealth of archaeological and historical monuments some of which date back to the Neolithic period.

After leaving the forest, the true beauty of the natural landscape can be fully appreciated as you cross limestone grassland and exposed limestone pavement. The descent towards Blacklion is a reminder of the recent history of the area when many of these upland areas would have been much more densely populated.

Continuing downhill you will meet the old 18th Century Road from Blacklion and it is from an old hostelry along this road, the Black Lion Inn, that the village gets its name. The final part of this walk continues back up towards the entrance to the Burren Forest past the Cornagee Viewpoint where on a fine day there are excellent views of the u-shaped valley of Glenfarne.

Grade: Moderate to difficult

Distance: 8km

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Terrain: Forest track, open pasture and public road

Location: From Belturbet head out of town towards Ballyconnell and take the first exit off the roundabout following the signposts for N87 Swanlinbar. Follow the N87 to Ballyconnell and straight through onto Bawnboy and swanlinbar making your way towards Glangevlin, look out for brown wooden signs to guide you to the entrance of Burren Forest.

Facilities: Picnic tables and information panel with map.

Nearby Attractions: Burren Forest, Marble Arch Caves,  Florencecourt,  Shannon Pot, all UNESCO Geopark sites near Belturbet Co Cavan.

Check out www.cavanburren.ie for more details.

Driving directions to Entrance to the Cavan Burren from Belturbet Co. Cavan, Ireland

	1. Head north on Church St toward Railway Rd
	2. Take the 1st left onto Upper Bridge St/N3Continue to follow N3
	3. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto N87 heading to Swanlinbar /Ballyconnell
	4. Turn left onto R202
	5. Turn right onto R200
	6. Continue onto R206
	7. Turn left to stay on R206
	8. Turn right to stay on R206
	9.Turn rightDestination will be on the right
	Entrance to the Cavan Burren