Steeped in local myth and legend, the Sliabh Beagh Way meanders through the valleys of Co Tyrone, the drumlins of Co Monaghan and the lakeland of Co Fermanagh.
N.B This walk through Dungannon and Monaghan has recently been upgraded with installation of 3 new bridges and waymarker posts and disks. The route through Fermanagh is poorly signed but will be upgraded late 2008. It is hoped that the upgraded route will be relaunched in Spring 2009.
Distance:
30 milesStart Point:
H669522Finish Point:
H365342Point of interest:
Sliabh Beagh ASSI, St Patrick's Chair, Loughs, peat bogsNearest town:
ClougherOS map:
Sheets 18, 19 & 27Terrain:
Minor roads, track and moorlandRoute:
From the centre of Aughnacloy, walk southwest down Ravella Road and cross the River Blackwater after twenty minutes. A few hundred metres later turn right and then turn left shortly afterwards at a T junction. Continue for another few minutes to the hamlet of Cavan. Turn right at the church and continue along a minor road for roughly twenty minutes. Turn right and then left into Favour Royal Forest.
After ten minutes walking through the trees, turn right onto a track. Turn left after a couple of hundred metres and follow the track to a small road. Turn right and then left, continuing through the forest to a minor road. Turn left and follow this road south for fifteen minutes into Altadaven Wood. The route now turns right and follows a track running parallel to the road to reach St Patrick's Well and Chair after another fifteen minutes.
From the nearby car park, walk up the gentle slope and take the second road on the left, passing Lough More on the right. The road descends to a T-junction, where the route turns left and then right towards Bragan crossroads on the R186. Proceed through the crossroads and follow the road as it starts to wind its way up the eastern slopes of Sliabh Beagh, passing through hawthorn hedgerows, foresty and open bog. The road continues across an expanse of bog to Bragan Penal Cross, approximately two hours from Altadaven Wood. On a clear day there are impressive panoramic views.
Although the next section (i.e. northern section of loop from Bragan Penal Cross via Eshnaglagh to Muckle Rocks) is well waymarked, care should be taken in poor visibility. If in doubt consider using the alternative bad-weather route i.e. southern section of loop via Knockacullion to Muckle Rocks. The northern section may also be quite soft underfoot following a period of rain.
Poor Weather Option (Southern section of loop via Knockacullion to Muckle Rocks)
This alternative route starts at Bragan Penal Cross. Follow the road passing Lough Bradan on the right. Turn right at the T-Junction, a short walk through the forest will bring you to Rock Bridge, take the left fork towards Lough Meenish. Follow this road as it winds its way downhill passing Lough Meenish on the right. Turn right at the staggered cross roads and follow this road towards the hamlet of Knockatallan taking the second right after the church uphill towards a forest. Follow the road alongside the forest turning right at the next T-junction and after a short walk cross into County Fermanagh at the County Bridge and rejoin the main route near Muckle Rocks. Total walking time for this section is just over two hours.
Poor Weather Option Ends
If taking the northern loop option from Bragan Penal Cross continue along the road passing Lough Bradan on your right-hand side. When you arrive at the T-Junction turn right. This will take you through the forest. At Rock Bridge take the right fork uphill towards Carricknabrock turning left after 10 minutes onto a waymarked track. After a further 10 mintues follow the waymarkers to your left across the bog towards Lough Aportan.
Cross the bridge and aim for the right of Lough Aportan before winding around to meet a track. Follow the track south until it reaches a small footbridge on the right and cross it onto another section of bog. Look for a footbridge lower down on the left that crosses the Colebrooke River. Once across this you are in County Fermanagh and Mullaghfad Forest. Turn left onto a forest track and keep left as it descends to a road. A gate leads to a minor road at Muckle Rocks, two to three hours from Bragan Penal Cross.
Continue along the road, past Mullaghfad Church, and turn left at the next junction. After fifteen minutes, take the steep track on the right. Follow the track through the forest, turning left at the T-junction. Carry on to Lough Jenkin (known locally as Jenkin Lough), where the route turns left, swings around and passes Lough Nadarra on the right, approximately an hour and forty-five minutes from Muckle Rocks. Turn right at the next junction and follow the track downhill to a country road. Turn right, and at the crossroads turn left. Follow the minor road uphill onto the heath uplands beneath Carnmore. After thirty or forty minutes the route turns right, down a lane to Lough Corry and Doon Forest
From here there is an optional detour to the viewpoint at Carnmore. Instead of turning right, continue along the minor road for another few hundred metres. Carnmore is just up on the left. Retrace your steps back to the route of the Sliabh Beagh Way. This short detour should take no longer than half an hour.
Continue along the track through Doon Forest to a junction where the track swings uphill to the left. Follow this and at the next junction turn left, continuing uphill. Turn right at the next junction. The track then descends past Eschleagh Lough. Turn right onto a country road and continue for about fifteen minutes. On the left, a footpath leads through a forest until it reaches a lane. Take a left and the next right to enter Tully forest, an hour and a half from Carnmore. Continue straight through the forest until the path veers around a large crater. At the next junction turn right. Continue for about twenty minutes to reach a farm lane, where the route turns left. Shortly afterwards, turn right onto a minor road and follow this until you reach the small forest car park at Tully, fifty minutes after entering Tully Forest.
From the car park, follow the road downhill past forest, bog and fields to a T-junction. Turn left and continue straight through Ballagh crossroads. At the next junction, turn right. At the next small crossroads turn right, passing Kilmacbrack Lough, before arriving at the village of Donagh, an hour and twenty minutes from Tully car park.
Turn left and then immediately right, walking out of the village and past the church on a minor road. After ten or fifteen minutes swing right at a junction and follow this road for another twenty or thirty minutes to an off-set crossroads. Turn left and walk the short distance into Lisnaskea.Facilities:
Car parks and picnic sites are situated along the routeAccessible terrain:
Minor road, off road tracks and moorlandPublication:
Sliabh Beagh Walking RoutePublication availability:
Killymaddy Tourist information Centre Tel: 028 8776 7259Getting to the start by public transport:
From Augher, take the A28. After approximately 6 miles, turn right at the T-Junction. This is will take you onto the main street leading into Aughnacloy. Take the second right, Ravella Road. Here is where the route begins. Park on the main street in Aughnacloy.
[Back to Top]