https://cuilcaghlakelands.org/itinerary/scarplands-cycle-trail/
The cycle route, which starts in the picturesque village of Belcoo and ends at Lough Navar Forest with the reward of unrivalled panoramic views of Lough Erne, leads you through Forest service lands on a coarse gravel trail with 1,880m elevation, making it a trail for biking enthusiasts.
The route can be completed as a 60km linear route, with the option of including two shorter loops awarding cyclists the opportunity to complete 100km of trail.
The shorter loops are Aghanaglack Loop, a 21km loop through Ballimtempo Forest and the Lough Navar Loop, an 18km loop cycle through Lough Navar Forest.
There are rest stops along the route, but you are advised to have enough food, water and puncture repair supplies with you for your selected route. There are convenience stores available at the trail head in Belcoo.
This is a working forest and you may encounter forestry vehicles, walkers and other users, please use caution and exercise your own intuition and careful judgement.
Start: Belcoo
End: Lough Navar Forest
Distance: 60km
Grade: Difficult, not suitable for families/road cyclists
Route: Signed to be cycled in one direction from Belcoo to Lough Navar Forest, loops at Ballintempo Forest and Lough Navar Forest
Terrain: Coarse gravel, forest roads
An arduous, long-distance route not suitable for those who have not tried gravel cycling before.
The Aghanaglack Loop is 21km in length and follows forest roads through Ballintempo Forest. The trail is a coarse gravel trail and is not deemed suitable for family friendly cycling or road cyclists.
A key highlight of this route is a Dual Court Tomb, where you can experience the timeless quality of this beautiful ancient landscape. The Neolithic tomb which is thought to have been constructed around 4000 to 6000 years ago and is described as a dual court tomb, due to the presence of two ‘courtyards’ at its entrance. In its original state the tomb was roofed with large stone slabs and covered with stones and possibly earth, to make an impressive mound.
There are rest stops and bike locks along the route, but you are advised to have enough food, water, and puncture repair supplies in your kit before embarking on this trail.
Start and End: Ballintempo Forest
Distance: 21km
Grade: Difficult, not suitable for families/road cyclist
Route: Signed to be cycled in anticlockwise direction only
Terrain: Coarse gravel, forest roads
Gravel loop using forest roads, looping around Ballintempo Forest. Neolithic Aghanaglack Tomb can be viewed along the route.
Lough Navar Loop is 18km in length and follows forest roads and the scenic drive through Lough Navar Forest. The trail is a coarse gravel trail and is not deemed suitable for family friendly cycling or road cyclists.
Lough Navar Forest is undoubtedly one of the jewels in Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark. The viewpoint at the top of Magho Cliffs offers spectacular views and is arguably one of the most dramatic on the island of Ireland. At a height of 300 metres, the viewpoint offers a bird’s eye view across the lake far into counties Fermanagh, Sligo, Tyrone and Donegal. You can also enjoy the resting areas at Blackslee Waterfall and Meenameen Lough.
You are advised to have enough food, water, and puncture repair supplies in your kit before embarking on this trail.
Start and End: Lough Navar Forest Drive
Distance: 18km
Grade: Difficult, not suitable for families/road cyclists
Route: Signed to be cycled in anticlockwise direction only
Terrain: Coarse gravel, forest roads, short sections on tarmac
Loop using existing forest roads and the scenic drive. Panoramic views afforded at the Magho Cliff viewpoint.
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This is a cooperation project between Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Cavan County Council.
This element of the project is part funded under Priority 6 (LEADER) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the European Union. We would like to acknowledge the assistance of County Cavan Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), Cavan County Council, Breffni Integrated CLG, Department of Rural and Community Development, the EU and EAFRD in part-funding this project. Funded by the Irish Government Under the Leader Programme 2014-2020.
