Recreation Sites

Ticknock Mountain Bike Trail

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Site Name:

Ticknock Mountain Bike Trails

National Grid Reference

O 152 242 Understanding grid references

Ordnance Survey Ireland Discovery Series:

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.

Parking Info:

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

Car park opening times: 06:00 to 22:00 (6am to 10pm)
Parking fee price: None

Toilets: none on this site.

Features:

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

Activities:

Walking/Hiking
Mountain biking
Orienteering

Site Description

Ticknock Mountain Bike Trail is a network of purpose-built singletrack trails and forest roads that are designated for use by mountain bikes on a waymarked circular route of 8km 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 singletrack with loads of fast descents, ups and downs, tight turns and technical rocky bits, guaranteed to leave you smiling! The trails are waymarked in one direction, please follow the red arrows.

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. This is a popular forest recreation area for walkers and orienteering - please show consideration for all forest users.

Trail Description:

This is a challenging, rocky, technical trail throughout. Forest road climbs lead you into singletrack, 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 4km 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, mud, 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 slpes 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.

Trail Description:

Trail start point: Car park

Length: 8km

Time: 45-90 minutes

Degree of difficulty: Difficult/severe

Metres of climb: 220m

Attributes: Loop trail

Finish Point: Car park

Trail Waymarking: Red

Ticknock Trail(s)

Bike Rental:

Please contact Niall Davis of www.biking.ie for information on bike rental.