Mountain Bike Trails Open to complete Phase 1 at Gortin Glen Forest Park

Phase one of a £1 million investment project led by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to transform Gortin Glen Forest Park into a must-visit family-oriented destination has been completed with the creation of 13km of new Mountain Bike trails.

The Council and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, have each committed £500,000 towards the redevelopment project at the Forest Park.

Red and Blue graded Mountain Bike trails commence from the two main car parks and, after a challenging climb, the biker is rewarded with superb vistas whether at the top of Keelan’s Chase (Blue) or the Mountain Trail (Red), before enjoying the thrill of the berms and jerms all the way back to the visitor hub area.

Speaking about the opening of the new Mountain Bike Trails at the Forest Park, the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Diana Armstrong, said:

“I am delighted to see the completion of Phase 1 of the Gortin Glen Forest Park Development Plan with the opening of these exhilarating trails. Improving the health and wellbeing of all our citizens is one of the key priorities of the Council and the Fermanagh and Omagh 2030 Community Plan. The Council recognises the importance of providing high quality outdoor recreation outcomes for residents and visitors to get and stay active while having a thoroughly great time.”

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has received grant aid from Department of Agricuture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) from the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme.  Cllr Armstrong continued “The Council is pleased to be working with the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to transform Gortin Glen Forest Park into a destination which has appeal for all the family. I would like to thank all those involved in the development works to date and I hope that the new developments bring much enjoyment to all those visiting the park.”

DAERA Minister Edwin Poots added “This project at Gortin Glen Forest Park is another excellent example of how working in partnership can deliver real benefits for the local community and help make the district a great place to live, work and visit. I am really pleased that DAERA could invest £500,000 to this project, and that Fermanagh and Omagh District Council provided the remaining £500,000 to make sure phase one of the works to the park is complete. It is so important for Health and Well-being that we encourage people to get outside and enjoy our fabulous landscapes and our Forests provide great opportunities for recreational activity”. 

The Mountain Bike Trails complete the developments as part of Phase 1 at Gortin Glen Forest Park and complement the new playpark which opened in 2019.

The Park is open throughout the year and is managed and maintained by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

Visitors are encouraged to park in the new main car park (formerly the overflow car park) and travel the short walk back over the new footbridge. Parking for blue badge holders has been made available adjacent to the playpark. Please note a one-way system continues to be in operation.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has entered into a 20-year lease agreement with Forest Service NI in relation to the management of recreational areas within the forest park. Forest Service NI continues to manage all other aspects of the forest in relation to the extraction of timber.

Further information on the Forest Park can be obtained by contacting Fermanagh and Omagh District Council by telephone on 0300 303 1777 or by email at gortinglenforestpark@fermanaghomagh.com