Cycling the Grand Canal

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https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057807834

The 12th Lock to Hazelhatch might be ready in December if we're lucky. Ground yet to be broken there (works at present are a road realignment). Probably talking Q2 2020 this being Ireland.

Hazel to Ardclough or close by is open. As is 12th to 4th locks Dublin side.

Ardclough on I've been told its a bit of a cyclocross event. The part 8 submission process closes tomorrow at 5PM. There's a chunk of bureaucracy to happen then works could start there at some point in the future.

old thread...

whats the state of the GC now west of the straffen rd ?, i know the section btw this and Sallins was being worked on ...any updates ?

I want to cycle from hazelhatch to Edenderry...done this before on a MTB ..this time will prob use a Cx bike with either28c or 38c tyres

not too worried about tyre choice, just is it open or too many detours ?

thanks

I cycled the section between Sallins and Hazelhazel with two friends recently – two weeks ago. The section between Sallins and the Straffan Road is being still worked on to make the Blueway. This section has been gravelled for the full length but the stones are large and sharp. The final layer isn’t in place anywhere along this route. We cycled using mountain bikes and unfortunately one of us had a puncture from the sharp stones. On the way back we used the normal roads as we didn’t want to risk having a puncture again.

If cycling from Dublin towards the west, a small section of the tow path is closed just after you cycle under the railway bridge. This is to allow the constriction of a big and retaining earth works. There is a track to the left which will bring you to the main road, it is only a short cycle from there to Sallins. However there is gate with a small gap that is relatively easy to get your bike through, but a heavily laden bike might be more difficult. You can rejoin the Tow path in Sallins village, but you will be joining back on the far bank.

The Blueway works are slow and it seems like it will be a few months before they are complete. The builders are concentrating on the bridge works in Sallins and there is not much activity on the remaining long stretch to the Staffin Road.

I cycle to Dublin from Sallins for work, once a week in the Summer, but only when the weather is good. I will really welcome the Blueway when complete. However there is no sign of the Hazelhatch to Lucan section starting. The towpath there is not suitable for cycling imo, so I re-join the main road and cycle via Peamount. This is a relatively dangerous route with narrow roads and poor surfaces. 

Hi,

whats the new section from Ponsonby bridge to Sallins like ?