Cuilcagh Mountain

View looking up to the summit of the mountain

I have always loved the outdoors. Despite saying I love it, I would definitely not describe myself as outdoorsy, not even close to it. I love the idea of being outdoorsy, but to say I am not very proactive about it, is to say the least! My job as teacher means that on my days off I either have a mountain of marking, lessons to plan, reports to write or to be brutally honest, I am just shattered, that hiking or walking is not up there on my list.

However, over the past few months, my boyfriend and I have been discussing how we need to do more and stop letting tiredness be an excuse. We realised that there is so much of own country we have yet to discover. We also realised that most walks and hikes are free! Over the easter holidays we took ourselves off to County Fermanagh for a few days. A few things were on our to do list but the biggest one was the complete the hike up Cuilcagh Mountain!

Having done nothing like this before, I was slightly anxious about completing it. I was more concerned that I wouldn’t be able to finish it and would have turn back! Despite the doubts, we set off early in the morning, hiking boots on, rucksacks packed and necessary water and snacks.

The walk in total is about 14km. 5km off steep incline and then over 1km of a complete incline up some scary wooden steps to the summit of 665 metre high mountain was hard work! I was out of breath and tired. However, the stunning views surrounding you every step of the way is nothing short of breath taking. The area is one of the country's largest blanket bogs and is just miles and miles of rugged wilderness. Along certain areas you can see ruins of stone cottages from the Famine era giving evidence to the fact that this area was once a thriving community. To be this was fascinating. My mind wandered as I passed these ruins, 'What did this place once look like? Who were the people that once lived in these now ruins?' You are walking through history whilst completing this Trek and for the History geek that I am, I was in my element!

Whilst a tough walk, it is 100% worth it! The views are so stunning that your brain almost cannot process that what you are seeing its real! It amazes me that these views are in our country! 2 hours away from my house and I have views that cannot be described! Whilst my first hike, it will not certainly be my last!