Adjacent Waterways . . 
    Upstream . . 
         Shannon Erne Waterway 
    Downstream . . 
         Lower Lough Erne
 

Waterway Walks
Index of Walks – Upper Lough Erne 

Walks by Upper Lough Erne in downstream sequence:

Maps:

Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, Outdoor Pursuits Series 1:25,000
– Upper Lough Erne

Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, Sheet 27 Series 1:50,000
– Upper Lough Erne

Crom Castle
* * * *
Up to 7 km; 1.75 hrs;
Start: Map Upper Lough Erne H371238
On paths by lake, parkland and woods. National Trust property 
To quote from a National Trust pamphlet “The exceptional harmony of woodland, water, parkland and old buildings gives Crom its very special character”. That says it all. Study the map, explore and enjoy. The castle, the home of Lord Erne, is private.
Parker, Walk 19, provides further details.

Crichton Tower

Knockninny Hill
* *

7 km; 2 hrs;
Start: Map Upper Lough Erne H279314
On roads and hill track. Pleasant county views with panoramic view of Upper Lough Erne. 
This circular walk starts at Knockninny pier (H279314). With a compass in your pocket (some people have found it difficult to find the path down from the top), proceed in an anti-clockwise direction around the hill. The hill track starts at H269304. From there proceed to the top which is about 150 m above the pier. Where the track emerges onto the open area at the top, note the compass bearing to the highest point in case you need it to find the track again. Enjoy the view. Return along the track to the road and continue in an anti-clockwise direction back to the pier. The route passes close to a megalithic burial chamber.

Upper Lough Erne from Knockninny

Castle Coole
* * *

5 km; 1.25 hrs;
Start: Map Upper Lough Erne H243432
On roads and estate avenues. Great country house. National Trust property. 

For a great afternoon and evening moor at the Ardhowen Jetty about mid-day. Have lunch on board or in the theatre restaurant overlooking the river. Book some seats for the evening performance and set out for Castle Coole. The route is clear from the map. To quote from a National Trust pamphlet “Castle Coole is one of the treasures of the National Trust. A magnificent neo-Classical house designed by James Wyatt, it has remarkably fine interiors and exquisite furniture and furnishings from before 1830”. This is undoubtedly the finest Irish country house within walking distance of the waterways. A number of routes back to the Jetty from Castle Coole are indicated on the map.


Parker, Walk 1, provides further details.

Castle Coole

Enniskillen Castle
* * *

1 km; 0.25 hrs;
Start: Map Upper Lough Erne H236439
On footpaths. Historic castle with important museum. 
This walk is included because of the importance of Enniskillen Castle, the medieval stronghold of the Maguires and home of a very interesting museum. The Castle is clearly marked on the Ordnance Survey map (H232442) and is an easy walk from any mooring in the town. The walk itself barely counts as a walk.


Parker, Walk 2, describes a walk around Enniskillen.

Enniskillen Castle

Other suggestions

Ulster Canal. At Jim Murray’s suggestion I undertook some research into the area around Wattle Bridge (Map 27 H425202). This is potentially a very interesting area as the course of the Ulster Canal starts nearby (H419210).

In June 2001 we moored Zillah by the entrance to the canal.[Beware! On one map this is shown as the limit of navigation. On another it is upstream of the limit of navigation. Zillah draws about one metre.] On a beautiful afternoon we set off in the dingy to explore. We motored quietly as far as Wattle Bridge, a delightful trip and went ashore immediately below the bridge on the western bank. We then headed east along the road to the A3, turned left and proceeded in an anti-clockwise direction back to our starting point at Wattle Bridge. This is an interesting route and the observant walker who uses a map will find much of interest particularly in relation to the Ulster Canal.

Unfortunately the walk is entirely on-road and includes some busy sections with no footpaths. Hence the walk is not included as a recommended walk.

On the way back we explored Castle Lough which is to the west of Castle Saunderson. We returned to Zillah wishing we had more time to enjoy these delightful and peaceful waters. Hopefully a future visit will reveal an attractive off-road walk in this idyllic backwater. In the meantime, suggestions please to webmaster@iwai.ie.

Tully Inishmore. On a bright sunny morning in June 2001 we found ourselves moored at the Tully Inishmore jetty (H265276). We decided to explore. We walked to the public car park and then along the quiet and mostly straight country road as far as the junction with the C436 (H285368) from where we retraced our footsteps back to the jetty. A very pleasant 4km walk.

Entrance to Ulster Canal 2001 (Disused)

Wattle Bridge on Finn River