Official tourism website for Northern Ireland
En

Gortmaconnell and Owenbrean River Walks

Co Fermanagh
Gortmaconnell and Owenbrean River Walks

Book Tickets Online

About

This walk brings you through some of the most beautiful scenery that the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark has to offer. Follow the geological timeline back through hundreds of millions of years to when the area was under a shallow tropical sea and Ireland lay close to the equator. These walks take you over limestone hills and along river banks into the foothills of Cuilcagh Mountain and one of the wildest places in Northern Ireland. Along the way you can learn about the shared geological history of geoparks from Ireland all the way to Norway and Canada. Keep an eye out for the volcanic Cuilcagh dyke or the disappearing river and if your lucky you might spot some of the feral goats that have roamed these hills for thousands of years.

Start Point:
H128340

Finish Point:
H128340

Route:
Gortmaconnell Rock Walk (Blue Route) Distance: 1.2miles Time: 40 minutes Terrain: Farm Track and grass path This short linear route brings you to the top of Gortmaconnell Rock. A huge limestone mound that was once part of an ancient coral reef. From here you get panoramic views of Cuilcagh Mt, Belmore Mt, Lough Erne and the Dartry mountains of Sligo and Leitrim Owenbrean Walk (Red Route) Distance: 3.5miles   Time: 2 hours  Terrain: Farm Track This route follows the Owenbrean river along it’s course where you’ll notice the wide meander caused by the volcanic Cuilcagh Dyke. Look out for Dippers along the river, these black and white diving birds are a common sight. The trail ends with incredible views of the river valley and the blanket bog of Cuilcagh which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation for its internationally important habitats. Farmhouse Walk (Black Route) Distance: 4.2miles  Time: 2.5 hours Terrain: Track, grass path and bog This trail follows the same course as the Red Route however on the return journey it veers off along the edge of a limestone outcrop passing the ruins of an old stone dwelling before crossing open grassland and bog in the shadow of Gortmaconnell Rock.

Distance:
4.2 miles

Terrain:
Farm track and open country

Point of interest:
Owenbrean River, Cuilcagh Mountain, Cuilcagh Dyke, Old farm buildings, Limestone geology, blanket bog and limestone grassland

Facilities:
Car Parking, Public Toilets at Marble Arch Caves (open March - October)

Publication:
n/a

Publication availability:
n/a

Nearest town:
Florencecourt

OS map:
OSI Discovery Series Sheet 26

Accessible terrain:
Terrain is mostly rough farm track with some sections across open ground. There are numerous styles and gates.

Accessible signage:
Trail is well sign posted with waymarkers denoting each individual route.

Book Tickets

Map & Directions

What's Nearby

  1. Marble Arch Caves- Magical, Unique and Memorable. The Marble Arch Caves is a major…

    0.48 miles away
  2. The Cladagh Glen, located in the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, is a stunning walk providing…

    0.55 miles away
  3. Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the rugged mountainous uplands and…

    1.16 miles away
  4. Florence Court is a truly welcoming home. The house, formerly the home of the Cole…

    2.92 miles away
  5. A visit to The Inniskillings Museum at Enniskillen Castle is a journey through more than…

    8.96 miles away
  6. Situated beside the River Erne in County Fermanagh, was built almost 600 years ago by…

    8.99 miles away
  7. Portora Castle guards a former crossing point where the river joins Lough Erne. Built in…

    9.06 miles away
  8. A trip to Headhunters Barber Shop & Railway Museum is like taking a remarkable journey…

    9.07 miles away
  9. Visit Frances Morris in her studio/gallery to view the latest exhibition of her Irish…

    9.15 miles away
  10. The Marjorie Leonard Art Gallery is located in the Buttermarket, a beautifully restored…

    9.15 miles away
  11. Forthill Park is a pleasantly wooded town park with walks, shrub gardens and children's…

    9.28 miles away
  12. Built for Malcolm Hamilton and completed in 1618, it has a Scottish look about it, with…

    9.77 miles away
  13. Castle Coole one of Ireland's finest Neo-classical houses, allowing visitors to glimpse…

    9.85 miles away
  14. Famous for its perfect 12th-century round tower and ruined Augustinian abbey, Devenish…

    9.88 miles away
  15. Fermanagh Fun Farm is the place where families love to come to make lasting memories. We…

    11.37 miles away
  16. This fortified house and bawn are set on Tully Point and were built for Sir John Hume who…

    14.01 miles away

Virtual Tour

Map & Directions

Road Directions

From Enniskillen follow the A4 Sligo Road West out of the town. Follow signs for Marble Arch Caves. Continue to follow signs for Marble Arch Caves and Marlbank Scenic Route. Roughly 1.5 miles along the Marlbank Scenic Route on the left hand side is a sign for Gortmaconnell. This is the beginning of all of the above walking routes.

Public Transport Directions

Translink - journeyplanner.translink.co.uk

Back to Top

Tourism Northern Ireland

Don't Miss