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Ballinastoe MTB Centre, Dublin & Wicklow

Badger Rating 4.5/5
Ballinastoe is Ireland's first red-standard (difficult/severe) dedicated mountain bike trail centre. Well worth a day trip.

Getting There

From the M50/M11, continue on the N11 south.  At Kilmacanogue take the R755 towards Roundwood. After approx 10 km turn right on to the R759 (Sally Gap Road).  At the first junction turn right again and follow this road for 2 km. The trail and lay by is on your left.  There is an additional car park just before the lay by but this is not always open.  There are no toilets or changing facilities.

Trail Description

Ballinastoe is a purpose built, Coillte sanctioned trail that offers exciting all-weather mountain biking in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains only a few minutes drive south ofDublin.

The red graded waymarked trail is 14km XC loop with over 9km of tight and twisty singletrack which delivers plenty of challenges through a variety of terrains from thick forest to open moorland.  Several good climbs (there is over 270metres of climbing) on both fire road and singletrack deliver you to the top of the mountain where on a clear day you will be rewarded with magnificent views across the Wicklow Mountain Range.  But a better reward awaits as you tackle the long single track descent that is sure to put a smile on your face and provide you with the occasional opportunity to get the wheels of the ground.  The upper slopes are open and exposed and can be very windy in poor weather so dress accordingly.   The trail is crossed by the Wicklow Way which provides the opportunity to extend your ride into something of more epic proportions, including a fantastic “railway sleeper” sections of a few kms length. 

Ballinastoe is a challenging and rewarding ride on Dublin’s doorstep and within easy reach of Belfast and has been described as "The thinking man's Kirroughtree" - it is just that little bit edgier than the 7 Stanes requiring you to be that little bit more switched on!

Location

trail head marker Trail Head

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Reviews for this trail

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4.5



Badger-o-meter
0 5
3
1= Rubbish      5= Badgertastic!
  • Some nice flowing sections, but you seem to spend too much time on the fire roads.. Needs more challenging sections with berms, table tops and something more to get excited about. Otherwise it's grand for a quick buzz on a Sunday morning. At least its longer than the over rated Ticknock, it's a real disappointment...
    Jarlath: about 13 years ago 
    Rating:3 badgers
  • Great singletrack in most sections with technical and fast flowing downhill trails. The king of the hill trail to the carpark is challenging but what a buzz, will be going back again very soon !!
    Philsey: about 13 years ago 
    Rating:4 badgers
  • Fast and technical, very rocky in places but some very fast and flowy trails. Not every trail flows so well, but its challenging. The long trail at the top is unreal, definitely woth the trip.
    Conor: about 14 years ago 
    Rating:4 badgers
  • Comments
    Conor: about 14 years ago 
    Rating:5 badgers
  • Amazing! No time to enjoy the views as you need to be watching the terrain like a hawk. Very challenging but rewarding. forgot to take my fork lock off for one stretch and it hurt!!
    Frazzo: about 14 years ago 
    Rating:5 badgers
  • Amazing! No time to enjoy the views as you need to be watching the terrain like a hawk. Very challenging but rewarding. forgot to take my fork lock off for one stretch and it hurt!!
    Frazzo: about 14 years ago 
    Rating:5 badgers
  • Amazing trail,it was so good i left my mate cos he was 15mins late.and id do it again.
    Johnny: about 15 years ago 
    Rating:5 badgers
  • Ballinastoe is an excellent centre, only 2.5 hrs from Belfast so easily do-able as a day trip. Pity the NI Forestry dont cater as well for NI bikers.
    JJ: about 15 years ago 
    Rating:4.5 badgers
  • rode this trail on sunday. best fun i have had on a bike by far. brilliant swooping runs that give much reward for relitively little climbing.
    Mike Parker: about 15 years ago 
    Rating:4.5 badgers
  • Comments

    Ballinastoe is well worth a vist, I have done all the trails in Ireland and this is by far the best, Im lucky to live only 20mis away so I do 3-4 times a week in the summer..
    NameJoe Kavanagh: about 15 years ago 
    Rating:5 badgers
  • Very good even with snow covering the trails it was still very rideable, reasonable amount of climbing but well worth the effort. Worth the 2 hours drive south from Belfast.
    Vince: about 15 years ago 
    Rating:4 badgers
  • rode this on sunday snowed all day which made for a very interesting trail if this was not already interesting enough trail, well worth the trip would go back again soon
    very simular to south wales trails in particular afan forest
    Simon Davies: about 16 years ago 
    Rating:5 badgers

NOTE: The trails on this site have been ridden before, but you should not interpret their inclusion as an indication that mountain-biking is officially sanctioned on them. Seeking permission from landowners is your own responsibility, as is conducting yourself in a manner that is courteous, respectful to the environment, and conscious of the safety of others.