Lough Navar Forest

Lough Navar forest rises to the top of the Magho cliffs at a height of 1,000 ft. Here, there are spectacular views over Lower Lough Erne, Donegal Bay, the Blue Stack and Sperrin Mountains.

A seven mile long drive has been created to allow the public to enjoy this scenery. Car parking facilities, picnic areas, viewpoints and short walks to interesting features have been provided. The Ulster Way, rising to a height of 800 ft passes through the forest.

On the other side of the road from the Forest Entrance is the start of the Correl Glen Nature Trail which runs through part of the extensive Largalinny National Nature Reserve. This Reserve contains some rare plants and almost all the Irish native species of butterfly.

The entrance to the drive has a small car park and information board. A short walk off the main path allows a view down to Carrick Lough with the remains of its ancient crannog still visible.

Recent clearfellings have allowed a more sympathetic redesigning of the forest. More broadleaves such as oak, birch, and beech are now planted. Some areas are left unplanted for the benefit of wildlife and the landscape. At the viewpoint there is a panoramic view of Fermanagh and Cavan.

Further up the Drive comes the starting point for the Whiterocks and Lough Slawn Trails.

Continuing uphill until the forest takes on a more rugged appearance. Discreet clearfelling has revealed craggy outcrops and small loughs. Soon the drive reaches its highest point at the spectacular Magho Viewpoint. Now you can enjoy a birds eye view of Lower Lough Erne and its islands. To the east are the rounded Sperrin mountains, to the north lie the Blue Stacks, while to the west there is Slieve League, Donegal Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

The natural vegetation has now changed to a more upland variety, with speedwell, Aquilegia, heather and scabious. The roadside verges are cut late in the season to allow the flowering plants to bloom. These attract butterflies such as Red Admiral, speckled Wood and Peacock. The poor soils limit the planted tree species to Sitka spruce and Lodgepole Pine. Note the rock outcrop in the shape of an old mans head.

The drive now reached the car park at Lough Ahork. A trail has bee provided which circles this pleasant Lough and also provides views of distant rugged crags. Lough Ahork is the source of the Sillees River which runs through Correl Glen to eventually join Lough Erne near Enniskillen.

Near the exit of the drive a 'sweat house' is signposted. In olden times these were built to alleviate sufferers of rheumatism. A fire was lit in the small chamber to heat stones, rushes place on top produced the same effect as the modern sauna.

The Aghameelan Viewpoint car park is the starting point for the waymarked Blackslee Trail, a 6 km walk along forest roads through the oldest part of the forest and leading to a waterfall at its furthest point.

Both trails are approximately 0.5 km long and afford afford superb views of Lower Lough Erne and the hills of West Fermanagh and Leitrim.

The forest is open every day of the year from 10am until sunset

Fishing by permit (available from Derrygonnelly Autos)
Guided Tours (bookable by organised groups)
Special Events (arranged by permit)

Off the Glennasheevar Road between Derrygonnelly and Garrison