{"id":2645,"date":"2021-04-27T09:44:44","date_gmt":"2021-04-27T09:44:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/?p=2645"},"modified":"2021-04-27T09:44:44","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T09:44:44","slug":"mountain-biking-trails-in-ireland-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/2021\/04\/27\/mountain-biking-trails-in-ireland-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"Mountain Biking Trails in Ireland for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>From the daily commute to the weekend rides, you\u2019re probably spending plenty of your time on the road. So how about a change of scenery \u2013 because where we\u2019re going, you don\u2019t need roads! Mountain biking (MTB) is a significant change of gear for cyclists, but whether it\u2019s the adrenaline, the challenge, or the rewards that await having negotiated a trail, it\u2019s as exciting and enjoyable a venture as you\u2019ll find.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s easy to get started, too; Ireland is dotted with perfect spots to get your first taste of trail riding. So grab your diary and your GPS, and get some plans in place to hit the hills \u2013 here are five of the finest destinations to get you started&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><strong>BALLYHOURA COUNTRY, CO. CORK, LIMERICK &#038; TIPPERARY<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You might wonder how three different counties can lay claim to this one; when we explain that this area totals more than 90km of trails, it might become clear! Perhaps the ultimate destination for mountain biking in Ireland, the choice of routes is varied enough to cater for any level, and the Greenwood Loop is a lovely way to get started. The best news is that once you\u2019ve mastered it, other challenges await a mere stone\u2019s throw away!<\/p>\n<p>Find Out More: <a href=\"https:\/\/visitballyhoura.com\/explore\/ballyhoura-mountain-biking\">https:\/\/visitballyhoura.com\/explore\/ballyhoura-mountain-biking<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>PORTUMNA FOREST PARK, CO. GALWAY<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Covering a whopping 450 hectares, the Western attraction is something of a Mecca for the outdoorsy type \u2013 and that includes MTB enthusiasts. A pair of trails, both suitable for riders of all levels, offer beautiful scenery through the woodlands to the lakeshore. As an added bonus, there\u2019s also a family-friendly loop to Portumna town, and even a tarred circuit perfect for little ones trying life in the saddle for the first time.<\/p>\n<p>Find Out More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coillte.ie\/site\/portumna-forest-park\/\">https:\/\/www.coillte.ie\/site\/portumna-forest-park\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\nTICKNOCK, CO. DUBLIN<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While the elevation means a decent level of fitness is recommended \u2013 at the foot of the Ticknock mountain trail, you\u2019ll begin 270 metres above sea level \u2013 the variety of trails that stretch across the area mean there\u2019s something for just about everyone. It\u2019s a location to remember for later, too; along with neighbouring Stepaside, this patch of Dublin contains some of the most enjoyable, if slightly more difficult, mountain trails in the nation.<\/p>\n<p>Find Out More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coillte.ie\/site\/ticknock\/\">https:\/\/www.coillte.ie\/site\/ticknock\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>MUCKROSS, CO. KERRY<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Also a popular walking route, this loop around Muckross Lake will send you on a counter-clockwise trip through one of the most scenic spots in the south-west \u2013 and while the views might take your breath away, the exertion shouldn\u2019t! It\u2019s an excellent option for an impromptu biathlon, too; if you pack your togs and a towel, you might just find the waters irresistible!  <\/p>\n<p>Find Out More: <a href=\"https:\/\/killarneyrentabike.com\/routes\/\">https:\/\/killarneyrentabike.com\/routes\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>SLIEVE BLOOM, CO. OFFALY<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Soon, there will be 100km of bike trails draped across an area destined to become an MTB must-see; indeed, the first two routes opened are already worth getting excited about. The Kinnitty Trailhead is the most difficult on this list, so it\u2019s probably worth saving for when you\u2019ve had a little more experience \u2013 but from the panoramic views to the high-speed descents, it\u2019s something very special that you\u2019ll have to look forward to\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Find Out More: <a href=\"https:\/\/slievebloom.ie\/biking\/mountain-biking\">https:\/\/slievebloom.ie\/biking\/mountain-biking<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Make sure you&#8217;ve a good breakfast in your belly before you set off! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/2021\/03\/29\/breakfast-banana-pancakes-with-matcha\/\">Try these banana pancakes with Matcha&#8230;<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From the daily commute to the weekend rides, you\u2019re probably spending plenty of your time on the road. So how [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":2646,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[70],"tags":[],"global-categories":[73],"class_list":["post-2645","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cycling-in-ireland","global-categories-cycling"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.3 (Yoast SEO v25.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Mountain Biking Trails in Ireland for Beginners - \u0160koda We Love Cycling - Ireland<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/2021\/04\/27\/mountain-biking-trails-in-ireland-for-beginners\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mountain Biking Trails in Ireland for Beginners\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From the daily commute to the weekend rides, you\u2019re probably spending plenty of your time on the road. 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