CuilcaghAbout Cuilcagh
Cuilcagh is a mountain on the border between County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland and County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland, with a summit elevation of 665 metres. It is a notable upland landmark in the Marble Arch Caves Geopark area.
A popular feature is the engineered boardwalk across the boggy summit plateau, often called the “Stairway to Heaven,” which provides an all-weather route of roughly 3 kilometres along the ridge and plateau. The summit and surrounding open blanket bog offer wide views across the border region on clear days and are used for hillwalking, nature observation and geology study.
The mountain has long been used by local communities for grazing and peat cutting; more recently, management measures and the boardwalk were introduced to reduce erosion on the sensitive peat plateau and to improve access for walkers. The area is part of a geopark and benefits from conservation and visitor-management programs.
Cuilcagh sits on the northwestern part of the island of Ireland at the inter-county border between Fermanagh and Cavan, in a landscape of drumlins, upland bog and limestone karst country.
- Elevation: Summit elevation is 665 metres, making it the highest point in County Fermanagh.
What to See#
- Boardwalk trail: Boardwalk trail known as the “Stairway to Heaven” is an engineered raised walkway of wooden planks and boardwalk sections that runs for roughly 3 kilometres across the boggy summit plateau.
- Summit: Summit plateau reaches 665 metres above sea level and forms the highest point in County Fermanagh; the summit lies on the Cavan-Fermanagh administrative border.
Nearby Attractions to Cuilcagh
Best Time to Visit Cuilcagh
Summer for access, autumn for atmosphere; avoid winter storms on the plateau.
Weather & Climate near Cuilcagh
Cuilcagh's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 1°C to 16°C. Heavy rainfall (2125 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 6° | -2° | 236 mm | overcast | 95% | 7.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 6° | -2° | 176 mm | overcast | 94% | 6.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| March | Poor | 2° - 7° | -1° | 188 mm | overcast | 91% | 6.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Poor | 2° - 9° | 2° | 129 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 13.9h |
| May | Poor | 5° - 12° | 6° | 126 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.5 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 15.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 11° | 121 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.1 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.9h |
| July | Acceptable | 10° - 16° | 13° | 131 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.9 m/s | 1.1 high | 16.4h |
| August | Acceptable | 9° - 16° | 13° | 158 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 14.7h |
| September | Poor | 7° - 14° | 10° | 179 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.3 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 226 mm | overcast | 92% | 6.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 226 mm | overcast | 95% | 6.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 6° | -1° | 229 mm | overcast | 96% | 6.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.1h |
How to Get to Cuilcagh
The main car park for the boardwalk is at the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark side (east) or near Florencecourt. From Enniskillen take the A509/A4 then minor roads toward Belcoo/Florencecourt; signposting guides visitors to the designated car parks. From Cavan, follow the R200 toward the border and local lanes to the trailhead.
Tips for Visiting Cuilcagh
- Walk the 'Stairway to Heaven' boardwalk early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak foot traffic and to catch the light across the bog.
- Expect boggy sections-waterproof boots and gaiters are useful.
- The boardwalk can be windy and exposed; secure loose hats and pack layers.