Congratulations to The Gap, Glencullen Adventure Park for five years as the most exciting mountain biking park in the Dublin Mountains. I went to visit The Gap on Saturday and was very surprised at this fantastic facility on the city’s outskirts. The place was a hive of activity and excitement.
The Gap – Glencullen Adventure Park is Five
The former Glencullen Golf Club has been turned into a state-of-the-art adventure playground for gravity mountain biking. There were more than 500 cyclists taking part in a series of races, ranging from 5- 65 in ages.
The Davy family, farmers and foresters have used their knowledge of the mountains to create a series of biking trails. The 16 trails are graded blue, red and black, similar grading to a ski resort. Cyclists are lifted to the top of the trails in Ford Transits with trailers so no need to cycle uphill.
If you have your own bike and gear, you pay the uplift charge. If not, you can rent bikes and all the gear for a session or the full day. The Gap has 2021 Nukeproof full suspension mountain bikes and all the safety gear. And if your bike needs a repair or you need gear this is the place to come. On site there is GapKitchen, serving delicious food from Wednesday to Sunday, spectators welcome.
Walking Trails and Forest Adventures
There is access from the site to walking trails that lead to Ticknock and the Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Ways. Along the route is the ancient ‘Giant’s Grave’; a 4,000-year megalithic wedge tomb that is said to be the most intact of its kind.
The young non-bikers might like to have a mountain adventure with Forest Kids. These courses in mountain survival skills take place at The Gap and are run by outdoors expert, Heather Burnett Niland. Here 5 – 12-year-olds can learn about nature from nature . Along with survival skills and forest training in fire, shelter and cooking in the wild, see here.
Also nearby, for the parents waiting for mountain bikers, is the prettiest pub in Ireland, Johnnie Fox’s. It is a great spot to eat while waiting, with spectacular views of Dublin city.
Opening Times
Spring/Summer time slots run 10am to 1pm (3 hours) & 2pm to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday. Thursday evening spins require lights and run 6-9pm.
Winter time slots run 9.30am to 12.30pm and 13.30pm to 4.30pm. There is car parking at The Gap for a nominal €2. The best prices are online, book here.
