Seven years ago an ambitious £315,000 redevelopment was completed at Darkley Forest that saw a network of walking trails installed … however, as it stands today, several of those trails are now completely inaccessible.
Armagh I attended the forest – overlooking the picturesque Tullynawood lake – last weekend. On arrival it was clear major forestry operations were underway.
To the left of the car park, many hundreds of trees have been felled. The wooden bridge that formerly led onto the meandering pathway through this part of the forest now stands stark and obvious in its pointlessness.
However, to the right of the car park – at the stone wall – the path seemed clear. As the only car in the car park… it made sense to check for signage lest the forest should be closed to the public.
However, there was only one small sign indicating that works were ongoing. There were no barriers, tape or other warnings of any kind… so we proceeded.
All seemed well for the most part. The trails were as expected for this time of year, slightly muddy and slippery in places but, nonetheless, walkable.
The single sign and bridge leading to nowhere
Several trees along the route had clearly felt the full impact of the last number of storms. They lay – off the track – propped up by their neighbours, roots showing with earth attached.
A few downhill kilometres into the trail and ramblers are halted, for one tree has come down entirely on top of the path with no obvious workaround… unless you’re in wellies!
Unless you’re happy to retrace your steps, the only other available solution is a mammoth, stony, uphill climb. It was hard enough solo, but the mind most definitely went out to those who would have come across the blockage with small children or a pram in tow!
Just as in the car park, there is no signage along the pathway to forewarn users of the hazard and no directional signs as to how to avoid it.
Blocked pathway with fallen trees
The uphill climb leads to a mud-laden pathway that eventually opens out onto grass past the ruins of the original Mountain Lodge to the car park.
Here, the river also seems to be overflowing onto what would have been an additional walk through the forest area that is now being cleared.
All-in-all, roughly half of the 1.4 mile trek is now totally inaccessible and, that which is, is in need of maintenance – or at the very least – signage as a courtesy.
Six months ago, Sinn Fein Councillor Bróna Haughey began lobbying ABC Council for updates regarding ongoing work at the forest.
In October she announced that a complete felling of the forest by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs had been halted.
And Councillor Haughey added: “It was agreed that Darkley is not to be clear felled if there is any chance at all to save it. The decision has been made that Forestry are going to go in and thin and remove the fallen trees, which means Council can get to their remaining trails and get them fixed and back up and running and still have a coverage of tree.”
The councillor was also pushing for a timeline on the reinstatement of pathways with updates to be made available in due course.
Armagh I contacted Cllr Haughey for an update on the current situation and thankfully she explained Forestry were undertaking works at present with a view to clearing the necessary areas for reinstatement of pathways.
There are also plans to “build up the banks” along the waterways and, after speaking with this publication, Cllr Haughey also managed to secure signage warning of the blockage on the main path.
While an exact timeline for completion of the works is not available, updates will be made in due course.
