Recreation Sites

Ticknock Recreation Site

Ticknock

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Site Name: Ticknock

National Grid Reference: O 152 242 Understanding grid references

Ordnance Survey Ireland Discovery Series: 50

Location

Ticknock is located in the Dublin Mountains, only a half hour 44B bus or car journey's time from the centre of Dublin; 3 km south west of Sandyford.

How do I get there?

From the city centre, head for Marlay Park via Rathfarnham. Passing the main entrance to the Park on your right, turn right at Ballinteer St.Johns Clubhouse and, following the road around the edge of the Park, turn left at the Taylor's Grange junction onto the R113. Take the second turn on the right and this will bring you to the entrance to Ticknock forest.

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Parking Information

Opening times: 06:00 to 22:00 (6am to 10pm)

Parking fee price: None

Car Spaces: 145

Please use the car park facilties provided and do not block local resident's access along the public road.

Note: When Met Eireann forecast snow/ice condition warnings are in place the car-park may be closed at short notice. In a Met Eireann 'Red' Wind warning, you should not enter any forest area. Updates on car-park and recreation site closures will be posted on the News page.

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Features:

National Waymarked Ways Trail Head
Picnic Site
Walking Trails
Mountain biking
Permanent Orienteering Course
Viewing Points
Waymarked Trails
Historic buildings

Activities:

Walking/Hiking
Mountain biking
Orienteering
Bouldering

Toilets: no toilets on this site.

Site Description

Ticknock offers up to 10 km of mountain and forest walks with some spectacular views of Dublin City, Dublin Bay, Bray Head and Wicklow Mountains. The forest has an extensive network of forest trails with pleasant walks through the plantations of Sitka spruce, Japanese larch, Scots pine, Monterey pine and lodgepole pine.

The entrance to the property at 270 meters above sea level leads to the summit of the Three Rock Mountain (444 meters above sea level). The three large rock formations are the result of weathering and together with picturesque views over the Wicklow mountains and the coast create a very popular tourist destination. In the area, there is also a Two Rock Mountain (536 meters above the sea level) with romantic ruins of the Fairy Castle.

The walking paths in this area are of moderate difficulty. The main forest roads are easily accessible for children and people with lower level of fitness. Ticknock is a possible starting point for the Wicklow Way, many parts of which are strenuous for walking. When taking this yellow waymarked trail and venturing into the hills, visitors are advised to be equipped with waterproof clothing, strong shoes, a drink and a map of compass.

Walking trails in this forest include Fairy Castle Loop, Dublin Mountains Way and Wicklow Way.

The Fairy Castle loop is a lovely looped walk taking in the wonderful views over Dublin from Three Rock Mountain and Fairy Castle, traversing sections of the Dublin Mountains Way and Wicklow Way, before returning via the old rifle range to the car park.

Fairy Castle Loop

Trail start/finish point: Car park

Length: 5.5km Time: 90-120 minutes

Degree of difficulty: Moderate

Metres climb: 210m

Trail waymarking: Green

Ticknock forest offers an easy access to Kilmashogue and Tibradden Mountain.

Recreation sites which you can access from here are:
Kilmashogue

Ticknock Trail(s)