Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails

Trails

Ballyhoura

Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails

ballyhoura mountain bike trail

Colour coded brown, the Mountrussell loop is considered by our forum members to be the best Coillte MTB trail to ride in Limerick. The Mountrussell loop takes about 2hrs to ride at a relaxed pace.

The five Ballyhoura MTB Trails begin at the car park and turn back individually at various points to form individual loops. The Mountrussell loop is the second shortest loop and we measured it at 15km. It is an easy trail to cycle because the ground is well compacted and smooth. However there are some technical areas which may not be suitable for beginners. The total climb is 162m this compares to 210m for Ballinastoe MTB Trail over a similar distance.

Type of Trail

Mountrussell is predominantly single track. It is quite a linear trail and therefore flows quite fluidly. The trail winds gently through the forest and seduces the rider to push that little bit more to maximise the joy of twisting around the narrow trail. The speed is regulated by strategically placed bends, however if you don’t know the trail you find yourself running too far into the bends and then having to correct. There is evidence of people overshooting some of the corners. The stone trail markers don’t help here as you find yourself knocking your cranks off them at various points. It also doesn’t help that some sections of the trail can become a little overgrown which hides the same stone markers.

To draw some comparisons between Ballyhoura and Ballinastoe, it could be said that where Ballinstoe works out your upper body, Ballyhoura works out the legs. Ballyhoura is a less tiring trail to ride the ground is in far better condition. There is some great stretches of North Shore throughout the trail that are narrower than the stretches in Wicklow. When we rode Mountrussell we did find ourselves having to concentrate a little bit more on the boards here, particularly on the stretch known as the gully. Wicklow on the other hand has much-much more rock steps and obstacles along the trail.

Our critisism of Mountrussell MTB Trail are that there is only one attempt at a berm. There is a missed opportunity here because speed is not an issue on this trail, due to its lack of width so berms could have been placed whilst still keeping speed in check and it would have made the trail more fun. There could have been more woops installed for variety and the stone markers at the edge of the trail are a hindrance.

What type of bike to use

Good quality mountain bike with front suspension or full suspension.

Facilities

The facilities at Ballyhoura are good. There is a €5 charge for car parking which would hold about 100 cars. It is a good idea to bring some change with you because there is not always change available at the ticket machine. There are good toilet and shower facilities in a cabin in the car park so bring a towel and a change of clothes. There is a €2 charge for the showers. There is also picnic tables and snack machines in the cabin. There is a bike wash which takes €2 coins. The trail is marked but does not allow for people that may want to return early to the car park. We believe that the posts should be numbered and referenced on a map.

Amenities

There is accommodation in close proximity to the trail but it has not yet been vetted for mountain bike suitability.

Ballyhoura offers good views of surrounding countryside. The nearest village is Ardpatrick and the closest large town is probably Charleville.

Directions

The car park and trailhead for these trails is located 2 kms south of Ardpatrick village in Co. Limerick off the R512 road. From Limerick, take the N20 south through Charleville and continue 2kms further on to Ballyhea. Turn left just after Ballyhea church and drive for 10kms to reach Ardpatrick village. Turn right and continue for 2.5 kms. Take a turn to the right signposted Castle Oliver view and the car park is 1km up this road.

From Cork, take the N20 north to Ballyhea, turn right at the church and follow above instructions. From Dublin, take M7 south to Limerick and join N20. From Shannon, take N18 south to Limerick and join N20.

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