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Ticknock Forest & Dublin Mountains Way Dublin

4.8

·194 reviews·, Ireland

Explore the Dublin Mountains from Ticknock Forest, offering panoramic views and diverse trails for hikers and bikers.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

CrowdLow

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Ticknock Forest & Dublin Mountains Way Dublin

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore the Dublin Mountains from Ticknock Forest, offering panoramic views and diverse trails for hikers and bikers.

4.8

(194 reviews)

"Stunning views of Dublin Bay and city from the Fairy Castle!"

TIP

🚌 Public Transport Access

Take bus 47 to Stepaside or Luas to Glencairn for trail access.

🚗 Drive Cautiously

Road to car park can be rough. Park lower if unsure.

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.8 · 194 reviews

Type

Hiking Area

Address

Tiknock, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Website

coillte.ie

👶 Good for kids

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Fairy Castle

Ticknock Forest

An ancient ring fort offering panoramic views of Dublin Bay and the city. A must-see for history buffs and view seekers.

Ticknock Forest Trails

Ticknock Forest

A network of well-maintained trails perfect for hiking and mountain biking, with routes for all skill levels.

Dublin Mountains Way

Extends through Ticknock Forest

A long-distance walking route offering diverse landscapes and stunning vistas across the Dublin Mountains.

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Planning Your Visit

Getting There Without a Car

Many visitors rely on public transport. Buses like the 47 to Stepaside or the Luas to Glencairn are popular starting points. Be prepared for a walk uphill to reach the main trails from the bus stops.

Parking & Road Conditions

If driving, be aware that the road leading to Ticknock Forest Car Park can be challenging, especially after bad weather. Cars have been seen in ditches, so drive cautiously or consider parking further down.

Best Times

When

Weekday mornings

Why

Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

Crowd

Low

When

Late afternoon

Why

Golden hour light for photos

Crowd

Medium

When

Weekends before 9 AM

Why

Beat the weekend rush

Crowd

Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

This song hits different when you’re in a fog in the mountains of ticknock #rockyroadtodublin #sinnersmovie #Irish #fyp #thatguybillosh

@thatguybillosh

113.9K likes • 589.7K views

🚌 Public Transport Access

Take bus 47 to Stepaside or Luas to Glencairn for trail access. +1

🚗 Drive Cautiously

Road to car park can be rough. Park lower if unsure.

Have you done the Ticknock Walk? In the 2nd of our series of popular walks around Dublin, Cassie embarks on a journey through the foothills of the Dublin Mountains with breathtaking views of the city, Dublin Bay, and Bray Head from the top. With up to 10km of forest and mountain trails of varying difficulty, there is also tarmac road leading all the way to the top that is easily accessible for c...

lovindublin

2.4K likes • 127.9K views

Ticknock Mountains 🏔️ are part of Dublin Mountains, located just south of Dublin city in Sandyford, County Dublin, Ireland. They are a popular spot for hiking, mountain biking, and enjoying stunning views of Dublin city and Dublin Bay. Key Location Details: - **Address:** Ticknock Forest, Sandyford, Dublin, Ireland. - **Distance from Dublin City:** Approximately **12 km (7.5 miles)**, around a 3...

deepti_in_ireland

396 likes • 19.8K views

👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear

Trails can be uneven and muddy.

🗺️ Download Offline Maps

Signal can be spotty in the mountains.

A Day In Dublin With Just €20!! 💰💰💰 Ticknock Forest 🌳 @lidlireland 🥐 @merryploughboypub 🥣 @nationalmuseumofireland 🗝️ @alfama_restaurant 🥮 @toogoodtogo.ie 🥯 @superasiafoods_ie 🍜 #budget #budgeting #budgettravel #dublin #ireland #irelandtravel #irelanddaily #irelandcalling #dublintown #museum #hiking #hikingadventures #scenery #food #foodporn #foodlover #fyp #chalkandcheesetravels

chalkandcheesetravels

227 likes • 14.9K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚌 Public Transport Access

Take bus 47 to Stepaside or Luas to Glencairn for trail access. +1

🚗 Drive Cautiously

Road to car park can be rough. Park lower if unsure.

👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear

Trails can be uneven and muddy.

🗺️ Download Offline Maps

Signal can be spotty in the mountains.

💧 Bring Water & Snacks

Limited facilities on the trails.

What Travellers Say

4.8

(194 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Ticknock Forest is a highly-rated natural escape offering stunning views and diverse trails for hiking and biking. Visitors praise the accessibility via public transport and the rewarding vistas from the Fairy Castle. However, some caution is advised regarding the road conditions to the car park and the limited facilities on-site.

"A beautiful location with stunning views. It has walks of every kind, easy, moderate and climbing. Good parking and when you get to the top you will not be disappointed with your effort, enjoy"

Michael Raj Groves

"Great hiking spot, lovely nature. Unfortunately the weather was foggy but in Ireland that is something expected, so I’m not disappointed at all. Walking in nature relaxing yourself and having the view of whole city is pretty good."

Emre Akcol

"So relaxing place. Sometimes too many people and hard to find a parking, but once you there quite and peaceful. Ticknock area is great for walk or MTB, for a big or small, for young or elderly, everyone can find their place."

Peter Urgas

What People Like

Spectacular views

Great hiking trails

Accessible by bus

What People Dislike

Rough car park road

Limited facilities

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

You can reach Ticknock Forest using public transport. Take the 47 bus to Stepaside and walk uphill through Fernhill Park, or take the Luas to Glencairn and walk up to the trails. +1

The road can be challenging, especially after rain, with reports of cars getting stuck. Drive with extreme caution or consider parking further down and walking or cycling up.

The 47 bus to Stepaside is a common route. The 145 to Shankill can also be used, followed by a walk up the lead mines or Dublin Mountains Way.

Yes, taking the Luas to Glencairn is a viable option. From there, it's about a 20-minute walk uphill to reach the trails.

Some suggest taking the 49 bus to Old Bawn, Tallaght, and walking up the Bohernabreena Reservoir, or the Dart to Shankill for access to the Dublin Mountains Way.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticknock Forest is a public area and does not have an entrance fee. You can explore the trails freely.

Ticknock Forest is generally accessible during daylight hours. The car park may have specific closing times, so it's best to check locally if you plan to stay late.

No, tickets are not required for entry into Ticknock Forest. It's a natural landscape open for public access.

While generally open, be mindful of weather conditions, especially if driving. Stick to marked trails to protect the environment and ensure safety.

Absolutely! Ticknock Forest offers several hours of exploration, with options for shorter walks or longer hikes to places like the Fairy Castle.

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

Ticknock offers a variety of trails, including routes leading to the Fairy Castle and sections of the Dublin Mountains Way. Many are popular with mountain bikers too.

Yes, Ticknock Forest is a very popular spot for mountain biking, with dedicated trails and features. Be aware of cyclists if you are hiking.

The Fairy Castle is an ancient ring fort located within Ticknock Forest, offering fantastic views over Dublin Bay and the city. It's a key landmark for visitors.

Facilities are very limited within the forest itself. It's advisable to use restrooms and purchase any food or drinks before you arrive.

You can expect stunning panoramic views of Dublin city, Dublin Bay, and the surrounding Wicklow Mountains. The Fairy Castle viewpoint is particularly spectacular.

📸 📸 Photography

The Fairy Castle offers iconic views of Dublin Bay. The higher points along the Dublin Mountains Way also provide breathtaking vistas, especially during sunrise or sunset.

Late afternoon offers beautiful golden hour light, perfect for landscape photography. Early mornings can also be stunning with fewer crowds and soft light.

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive views. A sturdy tripod can be useful for low-light conditions or long exposures.

Capture the ancient ring fort of the Fairy Castle, the sprawling cityscape of Dublin, and the rolling hills of the Dublin Mountains.

Be mindful of the weather, as conditions can change rapidly. Also, be aware of mountain bikers sharing some of the trails.