Top 6 Lakes around Tullanaglug

For stunning views, Rossmore Point Beacon offers serene vistas over Lough Erne. Lough Gill is renowned for its picturesque setting with lush woodlands and islands, including the famous Lake Isle of Innisfree. Glencar Lake, nestled in the Glencar Valley, provides dramatic views of cliffs and mountains, especially near Glencar Waterfall.

Yes, there are several excellent hiking opportunities. Lough Talt features a scenic 5.5 km walking trail around its perimeter and is the starting point for the 80 km Sligo Way. Lough Easkey offers a serene 6 km loop trail through remote landscapes. Near Glencar Lake, you can find accessible trails and the Glencar Hill Walk, providing exceptional views. For more options, explore the easy hikes around Tullanaglug.

The lakes offer a variety of activities. At Castle Archdale Marina on Lough Erne, you can enjoy hydrobiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, and boat hire. Lough Talt and Glencar Lake are popular for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and open water swimming. Fishing is excellent at Lough Talt, Lough Easkey, Glencar Lake, and Carrick Lough, which is known for pike, perch, bream, and roach. Lough Easkey also offers sailing and picnicking.

Many lakes offer family-friendly experiences. Lough Gill has public access points for swimming, paddling, and picnics at Inishfree Pier, Shriff Bay, Aughamore, and Hazelwood Bay. The surrounding Hazelwood Forest and Slish Wood offer walking trails suitable for families. Glencar Lake provides picnic areas and a visitor center near Glencar Waterfall, with accessible trails. Boa Island Road on Lough Erne offers scenic views that families can enjoy from the car.

The lakes are rich in natural beauty and wildlife. Lough Gill is a Special Area of Conservation with rare plants, Atlantic Salmon, otters, and unique underwater cliffs. Lough Talt, part of the Lough Hoe Bog SAC, is home to brown trout, the threatened Arctic char, and endangered European eel. Lough Easkey supports rare moss types and threatened bird species like the Greenland white-fronted goose. Bunduff Lough is a significant wintering site for whooper swans and other waterfowl, making it ideal for birdwatching.

Yes, Lough Gill is particularly rich in history and culture. It is home to the famous Lake Isle of Innisfree, immortalized by W.B. Yeats. Nearby attractions include Parke's Castle and Tobernalt Holy Well. Glencar Lake is famous for Glencar Waterfall, which also inspired a W.B. Yeats poem, 'The Stolen Child'.

The best time to visit depends on your interests. For general outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, and water sports, the warmer months from late spring to early autumn (May to September) are ideal. If you're interested in birdwatching, particularly for whooper swans, Bunduff Lough is best visited during the winter months.

Yes, open water swimming is popular in some of the lakes. Lough Talt is known for its clear waters suitable for swimming. Lough Easkey also offers clear waters for swimming, though swim boots are recommended due to the stony terrain. Public access points for swimming are available at Lough Gill in areas like Inishfree Pier and Shriff Bay.

Visitors particularly enjoy the serene views and diverse activities. Highlights like Rossmore Point Beacon are appreciated for their peaceful atmosphere and scenic vistas over Lough Erne. The community has contributed 13 photos and 7 upvotes, showcasing the area's appeal for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.

Yes, the region offers various cycling routes. You can find road cycling routes and general cycling tours around Tullanaglug that pass by several lakes. For example, there are routes like the 'Boa Island and Pettigo loop' and the 'Kingfisher Cycle Trail - Northern Loop'. You can explore these and more options in the Road Cycling Routes around Tullanaglug and Cycling around Tullanaglug guides.

At Castle Archdale Marina on Lough Erne, you'll find a hub of facilities where you can rent equipment and take a break. Near Glencar Lake, there are picnic areas, a tea house, and a small visitor center close to Glencar Waterfall. Carrick Lough also offers scenic lakeshores ideal for a picnic stop.