Longest off-road cycle path in Dublin area?

Shai

I'm trying to get into cycling longish distances (> 50km). So far I've been using the Phoenix Park for this, but any 60 km cycle in the Phoenix Park is a bit annoying, as I can never go all out due to pedestrians and young kids being almost everywhere.

I'm looking for the longest off-road cycle path in the Dublin area. Preferably one without any pedestrians in it. Would I be right in saying the Sutton-Howth Clontarf Road would be my best bet for this? Or are there any alternatives you would prefer?

Weepsie

There are not really any off road paths that long, and most off road ones run along side paths too. Clontarf one is great, but it's often got people, dogs, kids crossing it.

If you're in the park, you're better off sticking to the road, and doing laps of it. Parts of the south side are closed off to through traffic, so you don't have much in the way of cars. When you get a bit more confident you could head down towards Strawberry beds and loop back to the park. Or go by Clonsilla and out towards Clonee/Dunboyne and back by Kilbride & Hollystown. The traffic around there is never so bad that you should feel uneasy I'd say.

Raam

TBH, nothing beats exploring a warren of quiet laneways in the countryside.

Weepsie

Raam wrote: »

TBH, nothing beats exploring a warren of quiet laneways in the countryside.

Agreed, you don't even have to venture that far to get to some. Once you get past Blanchardstown or Finglas, you're in a type of countryside. Loads of r roads to get lost down where at most you'll meet a few locals, cyclists and the odd tractor.

Wishbone Ash

Raam wrote: »

TBH, nothing beats exploring a warren of quiet laneways in the countryside.

Unfortunately quiet country lanes often means not so quiet aggressive dogs.

magicbastarder

Raam wrote: »

TBH, nothing beats exploring a warren of quiet laneways in the countryside.

despite having passed the entrance to it god knows how many times, i went down dunbro lane beside the airport for the first time today. lovely little back lane; you'd swear you were in the middle of nowhere (were it not for the drone of jet engines in the background).

Carawaystick

The Wicklow Way is mostly Off road...

Weepsie

magicbastarder wrote: »

despite having passed the entrance to it god knows how many times, i went down dunbro lane beside the airport for the first time today. lovely little back lane; you'd swear you were in the middle of nowhere (were it not for the drone of jet engines in the background).

You often meet escaped sheep along there

smacl

Longest off-roads around Dublin are probably the canals, though the talk of nasty muggings on the Grand canal has put me off that route for now.

silverharp

I use the grand canal for work Its ok during commuting hours, at the weekend I’d imagine it would be ok in the mornings, I wouldn’t be on after canal after 7pm. Potentially you have from Ballsbridge out so you would have a reasonable 45min to an hour each way.

If you wanted some other options , maybe investigate some commuter train routes and you might find quite routes outside Dublin, or if you have a car stick the bike in the back and head down to wicklow