Until just a few years ago, you might never have heard of the Cuilcagh Boardwalk, aka Stairway to Heaven, Ireland had kept it as one of its best-kept secrets!
While the boardwalk only opened in 2015, the Cuilcagh Mountain Park was founded in 1998 when work started to restore and protect the unique natural environment of the blanket bog in this area.
In fact, Cuilcagh Mountain Park is home to one of the few blanket bogs of its type in the world!
Did you know that Ireland has a huge 8% of the entire world’s bogland?! Which is massive considering the relative size of Ireland. And even more shockingly, due to the unique environment and saturated land, bog grasses take approximately 10 years to grow 1cm!
It’s important to point out that while Cuilcagh Mountain sits just over the border into Ireland, the Cuilcagh Mountain Trail and Boardwalk are accessed from Northern Ireland.
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What is the stairway to heaven Cuilcagh?
Formally known as the Cuilcagh Boardwalk trail, this wooden boardwalk has been established, preserved and maintained by the Sheridan family who owns this area of land.
The boardwalk was created to allow walkers access to the mountain whilst still preserving the delicate natural environment of the blanket bog, which is one of the biggest intact blanket bogs in the whole of Europe!
The area is also of significant environmental, ecological and scientific interest for conservation purposes and protection of habitats, wildlife and native species.
The boardwalk adopted the informal name of the Stairway to Heaven, Ireland, after its likeness to other similar dramatic stairways and trails around the world.
Other names for the trail include, stairway to heaven walk Fermanagh – named so due to its location in Fermanagh County. There’s also sometimes reference to the Cavan Stairway to Heaven as County Cavan is the county directly over the border in Ireland where the Cuilcagh Mountain itself sits.
You may also hear it referred to as Cuilcagh boardwalk trail Enniskillen. Enniskillen is the nearest large town in Northern Ireland and a great base if you are looking for somewhere nearby to start to do the Cuilcagh trail.
Where is the stairway to heaven walk Ireland?
As already noted, you’ll find access to the Stairway to Heaven in Northern Ireland, rather than from the Ireland side of the border. If you are coming from Ireland that’s no problem, there’s no border stop or check between Ireland and Northern Ireland, so the journey is very straightforward.
Stairway to Heaven Fermanagh directions
If you’re arriving from within County Fermanagh, you can take the A4 from Enniskillen or the A509 before following the Marble Arch Road towards Cuilcagh.
If you’re driving to Fermanagh from Ireland, you’ll arrive on either the N3 from Dublin or the N16 from Sligo.
Stairway to Heaven Fermanagh address
43 Marlbank Road, Legnabrocky Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, Enniskillen BT92 1ER
The postcode to reach the boardwalk is BT92 1ER.
However, this does not take you to the correct place on Google Maps. Instead, follow the signs for Marble Arch Caves and Marble Arch Visitors Centre, when you start to see signs for the Cuilcagh Boardwalk, follow those.
The official website has more information.
How to get to Stairway to Heaven from Enniskillen?
The stairway to heaven Enniskillen directions are very easy to follow. Take the A4 south, then the A32. When you reach Drumlaghy, follow the Marble Arch road.
Enniskillen to the Cuilcagh Mountain trail takes 22 minutes.
How to get to Stairway to Heaven from Cavan?
Take the N3 across the Northern Ireland border which becomes the A509. Then turn left down Marble Arch Road.
Cavan to the boardwalk trailhead takes around 45 minutes.
How to get to the Stairway to Heaven from Belfast?
The route from Belfast follows the M1 followed by the A4 until you reach the A509. At the A509 you take the next left turn down Marble Arch Road and follow until you see the brown signs for the Cuilcagh Mountain trail.
Belfast directions to Cuilcagh boardwalk take around 2 hours.
What is the length of the boardwalk?
The Cuilcagh boardwalk length is 4.5km long which includes the steepest section of steps to reach the top of the mountain. The steep section of the Cuilcagh way boardwalk consists of 450 steps and is around 1.5km long.
The walking route isn’t a loop walk, it’s a there-and-back on the same route, so the total Cuilcagh boardwalk distance is 11km from the car park to the top of the mountain and back again.
What are the Stairway to Heaven Fermanagh opening times?
The boardwalk is open 7am-7pm daily. However, you do need to book in advance here.
The last time you can book a slot for is 4pm as the walk is estimated to take 3 hours and the gates close at 7pm so do not try to park overnight!
How long does it take to complete the Cuilcagh mountain boardwalk?
The Cuilcagh walk time varies depending on which car park you start from. If you start from the official car park, the boardwalk trail owners estimate the walk takes 2-3 hours to complete. When you book your car parking, the booking is valid for 3 hours to allow you to complete the walk.
Our Cuilcagh boardwalk time was 2.5 hours with a few stops for photos and a break at the top to soak in the views!
The trail should be doable for most people with an average level of fitness, although the 450 steps at the end are challenging, the views are worth it! There were plenty of children doing the trail too, so it’s also possible to visit the Stairway to Heaven and complete the trail as a family.
Parking at Cuilcagh Stairway to Heaven
The official car park needs to be booked online in advance here. It costs £6.
Booking this car park in advance is advised, especially if you plan to visit on a weekend, in peak season, on bank holidays or good weather days.
This is the only car park that starts at the very start of the Cuilcagh trail and the Stairway to Heaven in Ireland.
There is an alternative car park at Killykeegan Nature Reserve, which is free and an additional 1km along the main road from the Cuilcagh Boardwalk car park entrance. So it depends if you want to add an additional 2km to your walk!
It’s also worth noting that the official car park does not have any facilities like toilets or picnic benches. The Killykeegan Nature Reserve car park has both.
During the peak season, there also seemed to be another pop-up car park east along the Marlbank road in the other direction from Killykeegan Nature Reserve. It appeared to be a paid parking area but set up in a field with portaloos. So this is a possibility if bookings at the official car park are full.
Top Tips for climbing Ireland’s Stairway to Heaven
- The trail from the car park before you reach the boardwalk is a gravel path and the boardwalk itself is wood, so there’s no chance of mud unless you fall off the boardwalk into the bog! This means you don’t necessarily need sturdy hiking boots, however, the gravel is loose and while the wood has grippers on, it can get slippery in places, so trainers or walking shoes with good grip would be wise.
- There are no toilet facilities at the Cuilcagh Boardwalk trail or car park so prepare appropriately before your trip!
- Take water! There are 450 steps and it’s steep, you will sweat a lot.
- The boardwalk across the bog and peatland is VERY open to the elements. Prepare appropriately for the weather either with hats and sunscreen for hot days or waterproofs and windbreakers for wet and windy days.
- The best time to visit the Stairway to Heaven Ireland walk is during the week, especially if you’re visiting in peak season. Car park spaces book up quickly on the weekend and the boardwalk is fairly narrow so the weekdays are best to avoid crowds.
Things to do near the Cuilcagh Stairway to Heaven
in Northern Ireland:
- Visit the UNESCO Marble Arch Caves – these subterraneous caves are only open March to September
- Walk in Killykeegan Nature Reserve
- Visit Enniskillen and go on a floating pedal bike on the River Erne
- Visit the 18th Century Florence Court – National Trust property
in Ireland:
- Enjoy Cavan Burren Park with the whole family
- Visit Castle Saunderson ruins
- Take a day trip to Sligo
Summary: Planning your trip to the Stairway to Heaven Northern Ireland
Hopefully this guide gives you plenty of information to plan your trip to the Cuilcagh boardwalk trail, whether you’re visiting from Ireland or Northern Ireland.
This is a doable walk for most levels of fitness and despite the challenging 450 steps, the views from the top and the unique boardwalk experience are absolutely worth it!
Pin this for later to help you plan your future trip!
