Uamh an Tartair - the Cave of the Roaring - is a spectacular pot hole with a cave below, into which pour the waters of the Abhainn a' Chnocain above Knockan. The cave should not be confused with another of the same name above Inchnadamph.
Bog Factor
Track at first, then very boggy moorland ATV track / path marked by posts.
Car park in Elphin.
Infrequent bus service to Elphin.
NC211105
The walk begins from the parking layby with an information board on the west side of the A835 in Elphin. Head briefly south along the main road verge (with care), then turn left onto the Knockan loop road. Follow this until the sharp corner where the road turns left. Turn right here, between the two houses, passing through a gate and along a grassy track, to the left of the telegraph pole. Almost immediately it reaches another track at a bend; take the right branch.
The track climbs gently through pastures. Ignore a branch heading left, continuing on the right track uphill. Note a mossy pothole on the right, and further on a fenced depression on the left.
Eventually the main track bends left, and a fainter ATV track leads across the moor ahead. Leave the main track here and follow the very boggy ATV track up the moorland, aiming from occassional old marker post to marker post. Eventually the boggy route turns left and heads past a wide, grassy sinkhole.
Climb round the left side of the sinkhole, passing a makeshift seat and then continuing down to a final battered signpost reading 'Uamh an Tartair'. Immediately behind the signpost is a unfenced, evil-looking pothole - care is needed; you can hear but not see the water rushing through it below. Descend to the left to see the slit-like cave opening where the main burn flows into the pothole, disappearing underground. This is Uamh an Tartair - the Cave of the Roaring - not to be confused with a similar cave opening in the Tralgill cave system near Inchnadamph. Entering the cave is reserved for expert cavers.
After admiring the entrance, retrace your steps back to the start.
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