Great Irish Roads: A series by motoring historian Bob Montgomery
No 9 - Lough Navar Forest Drive
The majority of roads covered in this series are roads which I've discovered over many years of enthusiastic motoring throughout the length and breath of this island. But today's subject is different, having been discovered quite fortuitously while travelling to write-up a different road - which will appear later in this series.
Thus, it was a double-delight to find such a fabulous road and its spectacular setting high above the southern shore of Lower Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh.
I had never heard of the Lough Navar Forest road until stopped at a PSNI checkpoint just outside Enniskillen. The friendly constable identified himself as a Lotus enthusiast.
"We do like our cars up here, sir," he said, admiring our Elise. I can attest to this, having had it demonstrated to me on many occasions over the years.
Having pulled over to the side of the road to continue discussing the Elise, I took the opportunity to ask if there were any roads in the area which offered the sort of driving satisfaction this series has been extolling.
His answer was immediate and unqualified - Navar Forest Drive was unmissible for an enthusiastic motorist.
So it was that I diverted to the entrance to Lough Navar Forest, a couple of kilometres west of the A46 from Enniskillen to Belleek. The road to the entrance of Navar Forest is clearly signposted "Forest Drive" from several points along the A46. The actual entrance is located at Correl Glen.
At first I wasn't sure what to expect but this tarmac surfaced mostly single lane road soon settles into a pattern as it climbs to a height of between 250 and 300 metres. During its first few kilometers, it provides spectacular views over Derrygonnelly, Monea and on towards Enniskillen.
The road itself is twisty and winds its way around and over the natural contours of the land, reminding me of a sort of down-sized mini-Nurburgring. It's a spectacular road which eventually reaches an off-shoot leading to a viewing area.
This road is well worth taking - it ends in a spectacular car-park above the Cliffs of Magho, some 305 metres high and looking over the major portion of Lower Lough Erne. From here, the Sperrin Mountains in Tyrone and the mountains of Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal can all be seen.
There is also a sad reminder of other darker times in the twin memorials to aircrew who perished in flying boats operating from the lake during the second World War. Eleven crewmen are remembered here, the crews of Catalina and Sunderland flying boats, who died in 1943 and 1944.
Having rejoined the road through the forest once more, we now start to descend down from the heights of Magho and back towards the Forest Drive exit slightly further along the road towards Belleek. This part of the drive is less spectacular, the road winds through less attractive terrain with fewer views.
A few short sections are not surfaced with tar-macadam. However, these sections are smooth and provide no difficulty.
The total length of the Lough Navar Forest Drive is 14 kilometres. It feels longer as this is a road not to be driven quickly but rather one to meander along.
For me this road was a real pleasure to drive, especially since its discovery was unexpected. A special thanks to the anonymous PSNI constable who recommended that I seek it out. It's a road you should also seek out and enjoy.
THIS SERIES APPEARS FORTNIGHTLY