Belmore Mountain – Forest Walks and Neolithic Cairn

Overview

Belmore Mountain, the second‑highest peak in County Fermanagh (≈ 398 m), crowns a limestone‑rich upland that forms the heart of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. The forest that blankets its slopes provides a 4.5‑mile (7 km) circular walk with sweeping vistas of Boho village, Lower Lough Erne, Lough Navar and the television masts of Brougher Mountain. Along the trail the dramatic entrance to Pollnagollum Cave – a 12 m waterfall plunging into a karst shaft – greets visitors, while a short detour leads to Eagle’s Knoll Cairn, a Neolithic passage tomb that has watched the sky for millennia.

History & Background

Geology

Around 340 million years ago shallow tropical seas deposited the horizontal limestone beds that now underlie Belmore Mountain. Acidic rainwater has since dissolved the rock, creating the extensive underground river system that feeds Pollnagollum Cave and other hidden chambers beneath the forest. The underground stream runs for about 1.8 km before resurfacing on the north bank of the Aghanaglack River.

The Irish name Béal Mór means “big mouth”, a reference to the large cave openings on the mountain’s flank.

Pollnagollum Cave

First recorded by T. J. Westropp in 1880, the cave was surveyed in detail by E. A. Baker (1912) and later by the Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club (1935) and the Royal Irish Academy (1944). Its striking waterfall entrance earned a cameo as “Hollow Hill” in season 3 of Game of Thrones, adding a pop‑culture footnote to its scientific legacy.

Eagle’s Knoll Cairn

Eagle’s Knoll Cairn belongs to the Boyne‑Valley‑type passage‑tomb tradition that flourished between 3500 BC and 3000 BC. Built from massive orthostats and capped with a low corbelled roof, the tomb once lay beneath a mound of earth and stone. Local legend says eagles nested on its high stones, a name that endures today.

What to See & Do

• Pollnagollum Cave viewing platform – A safe wooden deck offers close‑up views of the waterfall‑fed entrance; the torrent is most impressive after rain.
• Scenic vistas – The loop provides panoramas of Cuilcagh Mountain, Lower Lough MacNean, Ross Lough and the distant Cuilcagh plateau. The summit of Belmore Mountain yields a 360° outlook.
• Wildlife spotting – Irish hares, common buzzards, jays and evening bats are regular sightings along the forest track.
• Geology highlights – The disused Coolarkan Quarry exposes sheer limestone faces that illustrate the karst processes shaping the area.
• Eagle’s Knoll Cairn tour – Guided walks, led by Geopark guide Andy, take visitors down the low passage into the central chamber, explaining the corbelled roof, orthostats and the tomb’s place in a wider Neolithic landscape.
• Photography – Early‑morning light on the waterfall, the dark stone of the cairn against dramatic skies, and the sweeping upland scenery all make for striking images.

Walk Details

Flora, Fauna & Conservation

Belmore Forest is a working conifer plantation managed sustainably by the NI Forest Service. Native broadleaf patches support bluebells in spring and a variety of mosses on the limestone outcrops. The area is noted for Irish hares – larger than rabbits with distinctive black ear‑tips – and for regular sightings of buzzards, jays and wintering swifts. Bats often emerge from the cave entrance at dusk; visitors are asked to keep noise to a minimum.

Getting There & Transport

By car – From Enniskillen follow the A46 to Belleek, turn left onto the B81 Derrygonnelly road and then follow signs for Boho (approximately 4 mi). The turn‑off for Belmore Forest is on the left of the Boho road; a small car park sits at the end of the forestry lane (BT74 5BF). From Belcoo the reverse route via the A46 also works.

Public transport – The nearest Translink bus stop is in Boho (service 245). From the stop, a short 10‑minute walk along the Boho‑Belmore road leads to the car‑park. Check the latest timetables as services are infrequent.

Parking – Free car parking is available at the Boho Road car‑park. No dedicated disabled bays are provided; the walk itself is not wheelchair accessible.

Facilities – Picnic tables are located near the trailhead. There are no toilet facilities on the walk, so plan accordingly.

Practical Information

• Access: Main car‑park on Boho Road, Coolarkan (BT74 5BF). From here the marked trail leads to both the cave viewpoint and the cairn.
• Guided tours: The Antiques of Belmore Mountain programme, organised by Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, offers scheduled tours of Eagle’s Knoll Cairn (typically April‑October, weekdays). Check the Geopark website for times and booking details.
• Safety: The trail is well‑maintained but can be slippery near the waterfall in wet weather. Stay on marked paths, keep dogs on leads, and watch for bats at dusk around the cave entrance.
• Seasonal notes: Spring and early autumn give the best light for photography and comfortable walking temperatures. Winter can bring ice on the quarry faces and reduced waterfall flow.
• Conservation: The forest is managed by the NI Forest Service; visitors are asked to stay on the path, avoid the disused quarry and not to disturb wildlife.

Nearby Attractions

• Aghanaglack‑Dual‑Court Tomb – Another impressive Neolithic site a short drive away, offering insight into the same burial tradition as Eagle’s Knoll Cairn.
• Boho Village – A charming settlement with a heritage centre, craft shops and easy access to the surrounding upland walks.
• Cuilcagh Mountain – The highest point in the county, reachable via the longer Cuilcagh Loop for more challenging hill‑walking.
• Marble Arch Caves – A world‑class underground river experience just a few kilometres north of Belmore Forest.

Enjoy a day that blends natural wonder, geological intrigue and ancient mystery on Belmore Mountain’s forested slopes.