Ticknock
Also known as: Ticknock Trails / Dublin Mtns
Panoramic views over Dublin City, Dublin Bay, Bray Head, the Great Sugar Loaf and the Wicklow Mountains; the Skyline descent (2 km+) rated one of the most fun trails in Ireland.
Who in your group rides what
Whether everyone in your group gets a day at Ticknock - the grades on offer, the named zones, and how mixed abilities split up.
Red (Difficult to Severe) main loop plus a Black (Severe Throughout) section; biking.ie also references some blue-graded options.
GROUP SPLIT at The Fork - the Red Loop continues straight (intermediate-advanced) while stronger riders bear right onto the black After Burner. No lift/shuttle uplift; all climbs are self-powered on forest roads. Beginners can shortcut via forest roads back to the car park.
biking.ie recommends minimum age 11 and minimum height 5'2 for rental; unsuitable for absolute beginners. Easier group members can stay on forest roads or the Fairy Castle walking loop.
The riding
Purpose-built singletrack plus forest-road climbs; rock, roots, mud, loose stones, gravel, bermed sections, table tops and rock slabs, through forest and heathland.
Frequently steep and narrow with rock steps, drop-offs, roots, loose stone, berms and rock slabs. Upper slopes are exposed and can be very windy.
Fully waymarked one-directional loop with red and black arrows and map boards along the route; follow arrows.
Very popular - one of the busiest MTB venues on Ireland's east coast; expect company at weekends and shared use with walkers.
Season & conditions
Open all year; car park 06:00-22:00, no fee. Occasional short-notice closures for snow/ice or Met Eireann red wind warnings.
Rideable year-round; best in drier spring-to-autumn conditions. Winter is muddy and slippery.
- (none verified)
Exposed upper slopes prone to high wind; rock, roots and gravel become slippery when wet; forest closed to entry during Met Eireann Red wind warnings.
Getting there & gear
None. Free access and free parking.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
145-space free car park; roughly 30 min from Dublin city by car or the 44B bus; drive via Marlay Park/Rathfarnham to the R113 and Ticknock forest entrance.
No MTB uplift/shuttle. Public transport via Dublin Bus 44B; otherwise private car.
Helmet mandatory; carry water (cafe on site); good mobile coverage given proximity to the city (est).
biking.ie Trails Cafe, bike hire, bike wash and maintenance at the trailhead; info boards; picnic area. No public toilets. Defibrillator (AED) at the cafe.
biking.ie (rental/guiding/cafe hub); The GAP - Glencullen Adventure Park (nearby shuttle-assisted downhill); Ski Club of Ireland dry slope, Kilternan.
Hazards & rescue
Storm damage from early 2025 left several trails closed into 2026 - as of Feb 2026 Blazing Saddles, Devils Elbow and lower Tomahawk remained closed (Skyline and Highline reopened). Trails cross forest roads and walking paths with two-way traffic.
Not required. biking.ie offers guided tours and lessons on site.
Dense forest-road network gives multiple bail-out points; AED at the cafe; close to Dublin city emergency services; emergency 112/999.
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand mountain-bike network report. Coordinates are approximate.