The Stairway to Heaven in Ireland features a winding staircase that reaches up to the sky. Here is everything you need to know when visiting. Ireland Before You Die is the most popular Irish travel and culture website. We highlight the most inspiring experiences Ireland has to offer. Each year, over 10 million people come from all over the world to experience Ireland’s beautiful scenery and unique culture. Ireland Before You Die is the only website anyone will need to plan a trip anywhere in Ireland. Our mission is to inspire every person in the world to visit Ireland at least once in their lifetime. All of our content is written by passionate expert travel writers from all over Ireland who help tourists to have an authentic experience. We have straightforward guides on everything from climbing the best hikes in County Kerry to where to take the kids in Cork. Currently, we have over 400,000 followers on social media and over 800,000 readers each month which make us the most popular independent Irish travel & culture website. Join us now by following us on your favourite social media platform.
Having risen to prominence in recent years thanks to social media shots of the breathtaking views, the Stairway to Heaven Ireland is not to be missed. Here is everything you need to know about this iconic site!
Otherwise known as the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, the Stairway to Heaven is located in the beautiful bogland of County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. This beautiful trail meanders through one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Northern Ireland. The wooden boardwalk was initially built to preserve the area’s upland blanket bogs, which is one of the largest blanket bogs in Northern Ireland, thanks to funding from the European Union. This boardwalk allows visitors to enjoy amazing views of the beautiful landscape without disturbing the bog or the flora and fauna who call this place home. The combination of boardwalks, tracks, and stairs lead to the most spectacular viewing platform. From here, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views across the surrounding area. While it is not the easiest of climbs, and it can be quite steep, we promise that the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail is worth it!
The Stairway to Heaven in County Fermanagh is open all year round. However, the Irish weather can be very unpredictable. So, we suggest you always look at a weather forecast before heading out on your hike. Ideally you would like to have a day with good visibility. This way, you can make the most of the breathtaking views along the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail. Due to the surge in staycations across Ireland, the Stairway to Heaven is experiencing extremely high numbers of visitors. As such, the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council are asking people to reconsider a trip to the Stairway to Heaven or plan a visit later on in the year.
What to see along the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail – scenic 360-degree views from the summit
Enjoy the ever-changing landscape of Cuilcagh Mountain as it changes from grassy slopes with sheep grazing to rough scree and boulders. Be sure to take a moment to enjoy the beautiful views from the summit. On a good day, you can see as far as the Sligo mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. You can even see upper Lough Erne, and County Cavan, as well as Leitrim and Donegal. At the summit of Cuilcagh Mountain is an ancient cairn (the remains of a burial mound dating from the Bronze Age). This cairn is amongst the many monuments and prehistoric archaeological sites that are dotted across the area. The number of prehistoric monuments that exist in the Cuilcagh Mountain Park highlight the central role this mountain played in times gone by. The vast and different area the boardwalk encompasses allows for different natural habitats that are brimming with flora and fauna. For outdoor enthusiasts, it is plain to see why the Stairway to Heaven is thought to be one of the top places to visit in Ireland. From colourful wildflowers and herbs to a diverse range of animals and insect life, it truly is a nature-lovers dream. Keep your eyes peeled for the rare golden plover, a beautiful speckled gold and black bird.
The Stairway to Heaven trail is a 14.8 km (9.2 mi) round trip. It starts with a 5.8 km (3.6 mi) gravel path before the 1.6 km (1 mi) boardwalk. It takes about four hours for the average person to complete the Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail from the car park to the summit and back. This Cuilcagh Boardwalk trail is perfect for those with some hiking experience. A moderate level of fitness is also recommended as the overall hike is a pretty steep climb. The stairs to the summit are the most difficult; however, the views from the top are worth breaking a sweat for! Dogs are not allowed on the Stairway to Heaven as part of the route goes through a working farm. The farm is home to a flock of sheep. Sheep can be easily startled by even the most well-behaved of dogs. Visitors to the Stairway to Heaven of Ireland are asked to remain on the designated path and boardwalk to help restore and protect the damaged peatland. Please ensure that you bring your rubbish home with you! There are currently no toilet facilities at the Cuilcagh Mountain Park. So, make sure to avail of amenities before you arrive. If you have time, be sure to visit the nearby Marble Arch Caves. This is one of the finest show caves in Europe. This UNESCO Global Geopark allows for the discovery of the natural underworld with rivers, waterfalls, and winding passages.
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