Castle Archdale Blue Route
One of a variety of walks along the lough shore passing the deer park enclosure, wildfowl ponds, wildflower meadow and butterfly garden.
Evidence of the Second World War can be found throughout the park in flying-boat docks, ammunition dumps, Slit trenches, etc. This is because Lough Erne played an important role as the most westerly flying-boat station, from which aircraft protected the allied convoys from the U-Boat threat in the North Atlantic. There is also a family cycle trail waymarked around the park.
County Fermanagh
Distance 1.2 miles
OS Map Sheet 18
Terrain Relatively flat off road paths
Nearest Town Lisnarick, Kesh, Irvinestown
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference H173589
Route Type Lakeland, Woodland
There are various routes available through the Park. These are shown on the attached maps.
A popular short walk (2.2 mile) demonstrates Castle Archdale Country Park ability to combine natural beauty with evidence of its role as a vital flying-boat station in the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II.
From Castle Archdale Courtyard, follow the sign for the Woodland Walk down the hill to the caravan site where you’ll see a large green tank, one of a few surviving WWII structures, which once provided drinking water from Lough Erne to the camp. Follow the pedestrian path uphill past the walled garden. On your left is the area known as ‘Skunk Hollow’, once the sleeping quarters of Canadian aircrews named after a place in the ‘L’il Abner’ comic strip.
Carry straight on past the mature oaks to a junction, once the security checkpoint marked by a memorial stone and a lime tree arch woven together by airmen on guard duty. Go right to the car park adjacent to the Lough shore then follow the first pedestrian path to the ‘Burma Road’, cut through dense forest to give access to bomb and ammunition stores. Continue on to a T junction, go right and up the steps back to the courtyard where you started.
Ask at the Countryside Centre for more information in the courtyard.
Red deer, wildfowl, butterflies, wildflower, WWII remains
Various starting points. Castle Archdale Country Park is situated on the main Enniskillen to Kesh road (B82). It is well signposted and can be found 1 mile on the Enniskillen side of Lisnarick village.
346 Killadeas Road
Irvinestown
Co. Fermanagh
BT94 1PP
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Dogs must be kept on leads
“The Country Park is open daily from 9am- 5pm except for the Christmas public holidays 24th, 25th, 28th December and 1st January. The Country Park is open over the Christmas weekend 26th and 27th Dec. The Countryside Centre and WWII Exhibition is open 12pm-4pm on Sundays only all year except for the Christmas public holidays 24th, 25th, 28th December and 1st January. (The Countryside Centre will be open on the 27th: 12-4pm as usual). Toilets, car and coach parking, tea rooms (seasonal opening), “”Castle Archdale at War”” Exhibition, and displays of farm machinery, local wildlife and geographical/historical aspects of the park. Seasonal pony trekking, cycle hire and boat trips are also available.”
Grade 4
- The path may not be hard and firm in all weathers with loose stones (not bigger than 10cm) with occasional tree roots and pot holes and will be at least 80cm wide for its entire length.
- The path gradients and cross slopes will be greater than 6°.
- Obstacles such as steps or stiles are to be expected and surface breaks may be larger 75mm in width.
- There will be a clear head height of greater than 2.10m for the entire length of the route.
- Passing places and rest areas may not be formalised or provided.
Comments will be reviewed and those that cause offence will be removed. This is at the discretion of WalkNI.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the walking routes listed on WalkNI safely and easily.
If you have come across any problems whilst walking a route, please let us so we can pass on any issues to the appropriate management body responsible for maintaining the walk.
Walk Route
Castle Archdale Blue Route