Cladagh Glen and Marble Arch Caves Walk

Although the Cladagh Glen and Marble Arch Caves Walk is a fairly easy adventure, it does follow along the banks of a river that can swell after periods of heavy rainfall. Make sure to exercise caution when water levels are high, especially if you are walking with young children or dogs. Additionally, you will want to wear proper walking boots with good grip for this walk.

If you enjoy walking through beautifully scenic stretches of forest that feature winding rivers and fascinating caves, then you will definitely want to check out the Cladagh Glen and Marble Arch Caves Walk. The family-friendly nature of this route also makes it an ideal excursion to get out and explore nature on the weekend for a few hours.

Setting out from the trailhead on Marble Arch Road, you will make your way to the southwest and pass through the gate, continuing on for 0.1mi to pass by the Cladagh Glen Scout Centre on your left, where you will find some toilet facilities if you require them. From here, you will continue on to the southwest and begin climbing your way up the forested landscape alongside the winding banks of the Cladagh River.

After 0.49mi of walking from the scout centre, you will arrive at a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Cascade Falls, which is a great place to pause for a quick break while taking in the views. From here, you will continue along the trail for another 0.3mi, where you will need to climb up a series of stairs in order to cross over the Cladagh River.

After making your way over the water, you will traverse another set of stairs and keep left in order to arrive at the Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre. Here, you can arrange guided walking and boat tours of the amazing limestone cave system that is the longest in Northern Ireland at 7.1mi.

After exploring the caves, you will make your way to the southwest along a forest loop that will bring you back to the stairs that you had previously traversed. Follow these back downhill and retrace your steps along the trail in order to return to the car park where you began the Cladagh Glen and Marble Arch Caves Walk.

Trail Highlights

Marble Arch Caves

Located in County Fermanagh in the southwest corner of Northern Ireland, the Marble Arch Caves are a series of limestone caves that were formed naturally by three rivers that drain off the slopes of nearby Cuilcagh Mountain, converging to form the Cladagh River. At 7.1mi in length, the Marble Arch Caves are the longest system to have been discovered in Northern Ireland. The caves also provide the name for the surrounding Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark – one of the first such parks in Europe to be designated by UNESCO.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Marble Arch Caves open?

Although the Marble Arch Caves had been known for quite some time, the site was only opened as a tourist attraction in 1985.

How long are the Marble Arch Caves?

At 7.1mi in length the Marble Arch Caves are the longest cave system that has been discovered in Northern Ireland.