Recreation Sites
Ticknock Mountain Bike Trails
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Harvesting Notice: from 23.03.22 for approximately three weeks the 'Barnstormer' section of the Ticknock Mountain Bike Trail network will be closed to facilitate harvesting. This is Dublin Mountains Makeover harvesting operation, for more information please see this link.
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Ticknock Mountain Bike Trail is 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. The trails take the rider through beautiful forest and 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 arrows.

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 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.
National Grid Reference: O 152 242 [Understanding grid references]
Ordnance Survey Ireland Discovery Series: 50
Site Information
Car-park opening times: 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 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.
Toilets: none.
Bins: none, please follow Leave No Trace Ireland principles.
Defibrillator/AED: on the side of the biking.ie building
Ticknock Site Features:
- Mountain bike trails
- Biking.ie - bike hire, bike wash, bike maintenance
- Biking.ie - hot drinks and snacks
- Walking Trails
- Permanent Orienteering Course
- Viewing Points
Red Trail Description
Trail start point: Car park
Length: 13km
Time: 90-130 minutes
Degree of difficulty: Difficult/severe
Metres of climb: 220m
Attributes: Loop trail
Finish Point: Car park
Trail Waymarking: Red
Mountain Bike Trail Map: Ticknock Mountain Bike trails
This is a challenging, rocky, technical trail throughout. Forest road climbs lead you into single track, varying from fast, open and flowing to twisty, technical rocky sections with loads of ups and downs, big descents and berm turns. This technical trail tests all a rider's skills and abilities - not for novices.
Roughly 9km of the waymarked loop is singletrack and these sections are narrow, sometimes steep trails of not more than 1m in width with variable surfaces, including rocks, roots, loose stones and gravel and they may become slippery in wet weather. The single track also crosses walking trails at a number of points so take care, caution walkers. The remaining 4km of the waymarked loop are forest roads and you should expect to encounter vehicles and other forest users at any time on these parts of the loop.
The trail is quite exposed on the upper slopes and can be very windy in poor weather. Please ensure your bike is in good working order and that you have an appropriate 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 the many other forest users.
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.
Nearby Pit Stops
For more information on all Coillte's recreational sites visit http://www.coillte.ie/our-forests/explore/
- Recreation
- Archaeology
Recreation Sites in the Dublin Mountains
- 5. Kilmashogue
- 6. Ticknock
- 7. Carrickgollogan
- 8. Barnaslingan
Archaeology Sites in the Dublin Mountains
- 1. Slievethoul
- 2. Lugg Woods
- 3. Seahan
- 4. Hell Fire Club
- 5. Massy's Wood
- 6. Tibradden
- 7. Kilmashogue
- 8. Ticknock
- 9. Ballyedmonduff
- 10. Rathmichael Wood
