Open Travel Guide
  1. Home
  2. Destinations
  3. Ireland
  4. Leinster
  5. Dublin
  6. Adventure
  7. Mountain Biking — Ticknock Trails

Adventure · Leinster, Dublin

Mountain Biking — Ticknock Trails

13 km of purpose-built singletrack in the Dublin Mountains with skyline views over the bay.

  • DifficultyMixed: green (beginner) through black (advanced/technical) graded trails on the same network
  • DistanceBus 16 from O'Connell Street to Rathfarnham then 5 km cycle to trailhead, or drive directly to the Ticknock car park
  • Best seasonApril–October for best conditions
  • PriceFree (trails); bike hire from €35/day (~$38.50)
  • OperatorTrails are managed by Coillte and are free and self-guided. Biking.ie operates on-site bike hire, wash, and repair at the main Ticknock car park; Cycleways (+353 1 873 4748; cycleways.com) in the city centre also hires mountain bikes if collecting before travelling out.
Mountain Biking — Ticknock Trails

Ticknock's Coillte-managed trail network sits on the north side of Three Rock Mountain, about 30 minutes from the city centre, and offers roughly 13 km of way-marked singletrack and forest road across six trails of varying difficulty. Fast, twisty descents alternate with technical rocky sections and fire-road climbs, and several viewpoints look out over Dublin city, Dublin Bay, and the Wicklow Mountains beyond. The on-site Trails Café makes it easy to combine a ride with a post-trail coffee.

Practical information for Mountain Biking — Ticknock Trails
Price Free (trails); bike hire from €35/day (~$38.50)
Duration 1.5–4 hours depending on trail selection
Difficulty Mixed: green (beginner) through black (advanced/technical) graded trails on the same network
Season April–October for best conditions
Address Tibradden Car Park, Dublin Mountains, County Dublin, D18 Ireland

Activity facts

Where
Ticknock Forest Park, Dublin Mountains

Equipment

Helmet and mountain bike required; waterproof jacket; trail map at irishtrails.ie

Weather through the year in Ireland

JAN FEB MAR 10° APR 13° MAY 16° JUN 18° JUL 18° AUG 14° SEP 12° OCT NOV DEC

Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding

Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Ireland.

Location

Tibradden Car Park, Dublin Mountains, County Dublin, D18 Ireland

53.2564, -6.2454 View on map

Highlights

  • Six trails ranging from green beginner loops to black-graded technical descents
  • On-site bike hire, wash station, and café at the main car park
  • Panoramic views over Dublin city and bay from the upper trails
  • Free trail access with free parking year-round

Tips for visiting

  • Trails can close temporarily after heavy rain to protect the surface — check Coillte's site or Trailforks before travelling
  • Beginners should start on the green-graded trails before attempting the black descents
  • Hire a bike on-site at the Ticknock car park to avoid transporting one out from the city
  • Layer up — it's noticeably colder and windier at the top of the trail network than in the city