Recreation Sites

Ticknock Mountain Bike Trails

Ticknock offers a network of purpose-built single track trails and forest roads that are designated for use by mountain bikes on a way-marked circular route of 13km in length, these trails are graded Red (Difficult to Severe) and 2km of trail graded black (Severe Throughout) which starts at 'The Fork', see link to MTB Trail Map.

The trails take the rider through beautiful forest and beside heathland with fantastic views over Dublin City and Bay and the Wicklow Mountains beyond. Forest road climbs lead you into tight twisty single track with loads of fast descents, ups and downs, tight turns and technical rocky bits, guaranteed to leave you smiling! The trails are way-marked in one direction, please follow the red or black arrows.

The route uses multiple sections of forest roads and crosses many walking trails. You should expect to encounter vehicles and other forest users at any time. In general, the trail is exposed on the upper slopes and can be very windy in poor weather. Please make sure your mountain bike is in good working order and that you have an appropriate level of fitness and skill level to undertake these trails. All riders should be appropriately dressed and wear a helmet at all times. Please ride with consideration for other forest users and control your speed.

RED LOOP - TRAIL DESCRIPTION

This red grade route is difficult throughout with numerous severe sections along the route. The trails vary from fast and flowing to tight and technical. Frequently steep and narrow, with variable surfaces including rock, roots, mud, loose stones and gravel that may become slippery when wet. This trail is not for novice mountain bike riders.

Take care as you exit the car park and follow signs as you climb upwards towards the first descent ‘Barn Stormer’. Following a brief section of forest road, the next trail is ‘Tom’s Climb’. This is the longest section in the trail network which starts with a short descent before a long climb to Kilmashouge forest road. ‘The Devils Elbow’ is the next trail on the Red Loop, fast and rocky with numerous drops and bermed sections.

The route follows the forest road network to ‘The Fork’, a key point along the route where riders deviate for the black grade trails. Importantly, the red grade route continues straight here with the start of the ‘Blazing Saddles’ trail. The final climb of the route takes riders to ‘The Pump Track’, a short but feature rich trail packed with table tops and rollers. The last trail on the route is the infamous ‘Skyline’, over 2km in length are regarded as one of the most fun trails in the country!

Trail Information

Trail Name: Ticknock Mountain Bike Trail Red Loop

Start/Finish Point: Car Park

Length: 13km with 306 Meters Climbing

Time: 90 to 120 Minutes

Degree of Difficulty: Difficult to Severe

Trail Way marking: Red

AFTER BURNER - BLACK TRAIL DESCRIPTION

This black grade route is severe throughout. The trails vary rapidly from fast and flowing to tight and technical. Prolonged steep and narrow sections are common, with drop offs and variable surfaces including rock, roots, mud, loose stones and gravel that may become slippery when wet. This trail should not be undertaken unless you are a highly experienced and highly competent mountain bike rider.

Riders seeking the extra challenging black trail ‘After Burner’ should bear right at ‘The Fork’. A short singletrack traverse takes riders to the highest point in the Ticknock Mountain Bike Trail network. This summit, which lies just beneath Two Rock Mountain, boasts spectacular views over north County Wicklow including the Sugar Loaf mountain and Bray head.

The descent is action packed from the start, with a large rock step down which gives you a good indication of what’s in store further down the trail. Smooth sweeping berms link seamlessly together before riders face long rock sections and steep rooty pitches with many rollers and technical trail features. Exercise caution as the trail ends and you re-join the Red Loop.

Trail Information

Trail Name: After Burner

Start/Finish: The Fork / End of Blazing Saddles

Route: 2km with 30 Meters Climbing

Time: 20 to 45 Minutes

Degree of Difficulty: Severe Throughout

Trail Waymarking: Black

Ticknock Recreation Site Information

Bike Hire: Biking.ie operate a bike hire, bike wash and bike maintenance service in Ticknock, see Google Pin.

Trails Café: operated by biking.ie's is located at the start/end of the MTB trails, see Google Pin. The Café offers a range of hot and cold snacks, barista coffee and outdoor seating in a woodland setting.

Walking Trails: the Fairy Castle loop is a 5km way-marked looped walking trail, starting from the Trailhead map located in the upper carpark, see Google Pin for location. See link to a map of the Fairy Castle Walking Trails Route.

Permanent Orienteering: there are three permanent orienteering courses in Ticknock see link to maps: Permanent Orienteering Course

Toilets: none.

Bins: none, please follow Leave No Trace Ireland principles.

Defibrillator/AED: at the biking.ie Trails Café, see Google Pin

Weather Warnings: 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.

Parking at Ticknock

Car-park opening hours: 06:00 to 22:00

Parking fee: None

Car Spaces: 145

Car-park layout: parking spaces are provided along the route of the one-way system that operates in this forest, see car-park map.

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

Interactive Map of the Dublin Mountains

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Tourism have put together an interactive map showing all the Dublin Mountains have to offer, from The GAP (Glencullen Adventure Park), home to exciting downhill MTB trails to the dry Ski Slope in Kilternan, see link.

Nearby Pit-stops

Coillte's Recreation Site Network

For information on all Coillte's recreational sites visit http://www.coillte.ie/our-forests/explore/

Future Plans

Coillte with Fáilte Ireland are planning the development of National Mountain Bike Trails Centres including one in Ticknock, to find out more check out the presentation live streamed via the biking.ie Facebook page on February 2nd 2021. This work will be funded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

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 to get to Ticknock

In foot, on bike and by public transport: see link to Transport for Ireland's Journey Planner App for access options on foot, bike and by public transport.

Driving: From the city centre, head for Marlay Park via Rathfarnham. Passing the main entrance to the Park on your right, turn right at St.Enda's GAA Club 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.

Map

National Grid Reference: O 152 242 [Understanding grid references]

Ordnance Survey Ireland Discovery Series: 50