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 7.1 miles
OS Map 18, 27
Terrain Forest track, quiet country road
Nearest Town Fivemiletown
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference H482401
Route Type Forest
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.
Breeding Hen Harriers, Lough Jenkin
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.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Small car park at entrance to the walk on the Jenkin Road, off the Mullaghfad Road and approximately one mile from Cooneen Church.
Grade 5
- There may not be a formalised path, and variable, single file trails are to be expected.
- Gradients and cross slope could be expected to be steep and not limited.
- Obstacles and surface breaks of greater than 75mm measured across the line of the path to be expected.
- Overhanging branches are possible. Passing places and rest areas may not be formalised or provided.
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Walk Route
Jenkin Forest and Lakes
Very poor signage, no indication of where to actually follow the walk. Walked for nearly an hour before I had to turn back because I was worried I was on the wrong trail. Also very rough terrain at parts making this a bit of a difficult walk
Went for a walk there today with my kids but as no signage we were in the wrong place just a forest road ..walked for half an hour but turned back ..not great just forestry..very rough ground
Please change your directions for this walk as they are unclear in terms of the route through the wood and it is easy to miss the turn off that takes you up and out onto the road. The advice to walkers should be look out for the second waymarker once you enter the forest as this points to an overgrown path to the right off the main track through the forest and leads out onto the road at which you take a left uphill…….. The lakes are picturesque. The forest track is a bit of a drudge but there are good panoramic views when you clear the trees.