Cavan Burren Geopark Trail

A journey through deep time in the UNESCO Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. This route explores Cavan's remarkable geology - from 330-million-year-old limestone pavement to ice age landscapes and Neolithic tombs older than the pyramids.

Why This Route?

The Cavan section of the geopark is underexplored:

• Ancient geology - Limestone, caves, and disappearing rivers
• Megalithic heritage - Court tombs and standing stones
• Walking paradise - The Cuilcagh Boardwalk (Stairway to Heaven)
• Cross-border experience - Seamlessly links with Fermanagh
• Fewer crowds - Much quieter than the Northern side

The Route

Starting from Blacklion

This border village is the gateway to the geopark. The atmosphere of a frontier town lingers from the days when crossing the border was more complicated.

Cuilcagh Boardwalk (Stairway to Heaven)

Ireland's most famous hiking boardwalk. The 7.5km route crosses blanket bog to the summit of Cuilcagh Mountain (665m), following the county boundary between Cavan and Fermanagh.

Trail Details:

• Distance: 15km return
• Time: 4-5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate (stepped boardwalk)
• Arrive early - parking fills by 9am on weekends

Shannon Pot

A mysterious spring pool - the official source of the River Shannon. Underground streams from Cuilcagh's limestone emerge here to begin Ireland's longest river.

Cavan Burren Park

This free-access park contains a remarkable concentration of features:

Geological

• Limestone pavement similar to the Clare Burren
• Caves (some accessible, most dangerous)
• Sinkholes and disappearing streams

Archaeological

• Giant's Grave - A 5,000-year-old court tomb
• Standing stones - Bronze Age ritual landscape
• Ring forts - Early medieval farming settlements

Sweathouse Trail

Follow the marked trail to discover one of Ireland's traditional sweathouses - stone structures used like saunas until the 19th century. Unique to Ulster and Connacht.

Cavan Way

The long-distance walking trail passes through the area. Day sections can be walked, including a beautiful route between Blacklion and Dowra.

Dowra

A quiet village on the infant Shannon. The river is small enough to jump across here. Traditional pubs offer refreshment.

Glangevlin

An Irish-speaking valley (Gaeltacht) with traditional culture still alive. One of the most remote communities in Ireland.

Walking Options

Cuilcagh Boardwalk

• Distance: 15km return
• Time: 4-5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Highlights: Bog, views, summit cairn

Cavan Burren Park Trails

• Distance: 2-6km loops
• Time: 1-3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
• Highlights: Tombs, pavement, caves

Cavan Way (Blacklion to Dowra)

• Distance: 12km
• Time: 4-5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Highlights: River, forest, open country

Understanding the Geopark

The Limestone Story

330 million years ago, this area was a shallow tropical sea. The shells of countless sea creatures accumulated to form limestone. Later, water dissolved the rock to create caves and karst features.

The Ice Age

12,000 years ago, glaciers carved the landscape. When the ice melted, Cuilcagh's summit remained bare - a mountain-top karst landscape unique in Ireland.

Human Settlement

People arrived here 6,000 years ago, building the court tombs and later the ring forts that dot the landscape.

Practical Tips

1. Boardwalk parking fills early - Arrive before 9am
2. Weather is unpredictable - Always bring waterproofs
3. Limited facilities - Bring food and water
4. Border crossings - No checkpoints, but currency changes (Euro to Sterling)
5. Cavan Burren is free - Unlike Clare's Burren visitor centres

What to Bring

• Hiking boots (essential for Cuilcagh)
• Waterproof jacket
• Water and snacks
• Camera
• Layers - summit weather is different from valley