Jenkin Forest and Lakes

A quiet walk which offers peace and tranquility for the casual walker. The track is mainly on forest roads, with a small section on minor country roads. Ascend the climb to Jenkin Hill where you will be rewarded with stunning views of Jenkin Lough, cut across the boardwalk to see the blanket bog up close and rest a while at the picnic benches at Jenkin Lough to recuperate. This walk was developed as part of the Clones Erne East Blackwater (CEEB) Rural Regeneration project.

County

Fermanagh

Distance

7.4 miles

OS Map

18, 27

Nearest Town

Fivemiletown

Route Shape

Circular

Route Type

Forest

Terrain

Forest track, quiet country road

Grid Reference (Start)

H482401

Grid Reference (End)

H482401

Point of Interest

Breeding Hen Harriers, Lough Jenkin

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Fermanagh

Route Description

Once at the parking area adjacent to Crocknagrally Forest, take a left to head up the hill on the public road for a few hundred metres. There is a forest road to the right hand side with an interpretation panel at the entrance. Follow the forest track for approximately 3 kms until you reach the public road again. Take a left and walk up hill, you will begin on tarred road but it soon turns to gravel path again. Follow the forest track up a steep hill until you are met with glorious views of Lough Jenkin and the Jenkin Boardwalk over blanket bog.

You have the choice of transversing the bog on the boardwalk or stay on the gravel path; the board walk brings you directly down to Jenkin Lough. If you remain on the gravel path, it will bring you down to near Jenkin Lough; you can chose to cut across and meet the board walk or talk the straight path around the back of Lough Jenkin.

Coming around the back of Lough Jenkin, take a sharp left and you will be awarded with fantastic views of 3 other Loughs in the forest; Lough Nadarra, Lough Nabraddagh and Lough Cushkerry. After a few hundred meters continue left again until you come to a junction, here take a right to find your way out of the forest. The forest track continues for a few kilometers until you reach the public road again. Taking a left there is a short walk back down to the car park on the right.

The walk is fully signposted by blue CEEB way markers, which are placed at regular intervals along the route.

Mature plantations at Jenkin Forest provide habitat for rare protected species including the red squirrel and pine marten, while most of the Jenkin Forest has been designated as a Special Protection Area on the basis of its importance as a breeding ground for the hen harrier. If you are extremely fortunate you may catch glimpse of the hen harriers soaring high above the forest.

Getting to the Start (by Public Transport)

Translink - journeyplanner.translink.co.uk

Getting to the Start (by Car)

The start of the walk is at the entrance to Crocknagrally Forest - located on the Mullaghfad Road approximately one mile from the Mullaghfad/Alderwood Road junction (six miles from Fivemiletown). When in Fivemiletown take the left turn sign posted Cooneen. Continue out this road until you cross a stone bridge, there will be a sign to the left saying Mullaghfad and Jenkin Lakes. Take the road to the left and after about 3km you come to a forest road entrance on the left. There is a small parking area at the forest entrance. The signage at this car park is for Crocknagrally Forest, but the Jenkin Lough Forest walk can be accessed from here.