The Rock Walk

Overview:

This loop walk is entirely on minor country roads starting from a small parking bay that is also the trailhead for the Esh and Bragan Walks, just over 4km from the main trailhead at the Sliabh Beagh Hotel. This is one of two on-road loop walks In this series and it is possibile to extend this walk from 6.5km to just under 11km by combining the two (see details on Bragan Walk).

The Rock Walk can be completed In either direction and takes the walker toward the sandstone peaks of the Sliabh Beagh uplands past the rushy farmsteads typical of the wet mineral lowland soils of the South Ulster and the West Midlands. Blanket peats associated with the uplands and West of Ireland take over. Forestry plantations come into view and a range of ‘Johnny come lately’, wildlife species take centre stage. In early spring the primrose, carpeting disturbed ground and well drained embankments Turing the Spring and early Summer. The Pine-Martin scurries In and out of the roadside ditches foraging for wildlife road victims, Chile deeper In the glen the badger make its set. The kestrel makes good of improved foraging opportunities as mall voles, field mice and grey squirrel nest amid the developing ground cover and foliage. The kestrel cry is a lonesome lilting whistle as it flies by in perfectly arced flight paths. Maybe the far larger hen harrier will put in a special guest appearance for you, hovering high above the glen with its fingered wingtips outstretched. The native raven can also suspend itself in the sky  for minutes at a time but its distinctive blue-black colouring makes it unmistakeable. In spring and early summer the distiinctive call of the cuckoo may allow you to spot one of these impossibly crafty creatures and gain luck for the day. Above the picturesque Rock Bridge stands the higher peaks of the Sliabh Beagh uplands notably Eshmore and Carricknabrock. The walk continues, skirting around this upland tributary of the Blackwater. This is the same River Blackwater that flows through Glaslough and eventually into Lough Neagh.  The views into the midlands or ‘uplands’, as they are known locally reveal a sea of Drumlins poking their heads above the landscape as if all jostling for position. Patrick Kavanagh would probably have appreciated the view and mused the point over a pint once back below amid the embraces of his beloved hedges, banks, stones "and every bloomin thing”.

Points of interest:

Blanket peats, Foxglove, Rock Bridge, Drumlins

Distance: 6.5km

Route type: Minor Roads