Cuilcagh Mountain Race

Cuilcagh Mountain, best known to most visitors as the home of the Legnabrocky boardwalk and its famous “Stairway to Heaven” viewpoint, becomes the setting for a proper mountain race once a year, when the Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association brings its Ulster Championship series to the summit above Florencecourt. The race is run entirely off the tourist boardwalk, on open mountainside, and it is a serious test rather than a scenic walk, drawing NIMRA’s regular field of fell and mountain runners from across Northern Ireland.

What to expect

As an Ulster Championship counter, the Cuilcagh race carries ranking points for NIMRA’s regulars, and the terrain lives up to the mountain’s reputation: steep, exposed, and often wet underfoot, climbing well above the boardwalk that most visitors never leave. Starting at 11am, the race format follows the usual NIMRA pattern, a timed climb and descent of the mountain with checkpoints marshalled by club volunteers, open to affiliated club runners and, usually, unaffiliated entrants on the day. It is a niche, committed end of the sporting calendar compared with the county’s road races and club leagues, but it draws a loyal following of hill runners who treat Cuilcagh as one of the best short mountain routes in Ulster.

Getting there

The race starts from the Legnabrocky side of Cuilcagh Mountain, off the Marlbank Road near Florencecourt, in the same general area as the public Legnabrocky boardwalk car park. The area is around 20 minutes’ drive from Enniskillen. A car is effectively essential, as there is no public transport to the trailhead.

While you’re in Florencecourt

Florencecourt is best known for Florence Court House and the wider Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, both worth combining with a race-day visit. There is more to see in Florencecourt and across Co. Fermanagh.

Good to know

• Date and time: Saturday, 26 September 2026, 11am start
• Venue: Cuilcagh Mountain, Legnabrocky, near Florencecourt
• Status: Ulster Championship (UC) counter on the NIMRA 2026 calendar
• Price and distance: not published on the NIMRA calendar; check nimra.org.uk closer to the date, entries typically open around four weeks before
• Organiser: Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association