A relatively pleasant walk on the unloved but not unlovely Benbrack.
Coming from Ballyconnell on the R200 turn L at Black Rocks cross(
D (H141 238)) & proceed for 1/2 mile to where a lane crosses the road(
E (H140 231)). This lane was part of the old coach road from Cavan to Sligo. (There is parking space 100 m. further on.)
Ascend the lane on R & continue to a sharp bend L. Leaving lane here,go straight through a gate & follow the coach road till it becomes unwalkable. When you have passed the forest on your L & crossed a fence,veer L towards the ridge leading to an obvious cliff locally called the Scalp. Your exact route will depend on the wetness of the terrain. It is an easy ascent from the ridge & the highest point 494 m some metres W of the cliff is marked by a cairn.
Derrynananta Lough,your next goal,can be seen from here to the SW. Following a bearing 230,crossing a barbless fence,skirting 2 little tarns on R & walking over wet & broken ground,you reach the lough some 30 minutes later. Continue due S to reach the barely distinguishable highest point of Benbrack ,502 m, over more broken boggy terrain. There are good views of lowland Cavan E & the hills of Cavan,Leitrim &Sligo W. Further S you come to the edge of the plateau & descend fairly steeply. Now aim for L of forest
F (H106 208). Keep this forest on your R till you reach its other end. There join the rushy track entering wood from SE which leads you to a country road. Take the first L turn(past a burnt out house) & follow road through forest to a T. Turn L & walk to your car just over a mile away. Time:4+ hours & fairly strenuous because terrain.
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