Derroura Mountain Bike Trails

Location: Near Oughterard, Co. Galway

Distance: 16km

Terrain: Fireroad for the climbing, forest trails and rocky single track and occasional boardwalk

Difficulty: Beginner to advanced

Condition: Well Maintained

Sign posted: Yes, lightly

Bike rental: No

Brief description: For any of the Dublin mountain bikers who train at the Leadmines, or Ticknock the first section of Derroura has a very similar feel. Natural granite single track winds through Derroura, one of the few forests in Connemara. After the first climb which lasts about 5 minutes, you descend gently onto a wooden bridge over a stream and then climb your way out of it past a thatch cottage.As you progress up to the summit the ground changes into rugged stoney ground like Ballinastoe. Ideally you should have full suspension here.The fun goes on as you begin your descent back to the car park. There is literally hundreds of meters of north shore on your way back down.Derroura is a relatively easy trail to ride, with nothing too technical. It is however quite tiring. Not one of my favourite trails as I've had bad experiences and also because the first half of the trail is bland and boring.

Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails

Location: Ardpatrick, Co. Limerick

Distance: There are 5 trails/loops of different distances:
              
               Green Loop - 6km
               Brown Loop - 17km
               White Loop - 35km
               Blue Loop - 41km
               Red Loop - 51km

Terrain: Fireroad for the climbing, forest trails and rocky single track and boardwalk.

Difficulty: Beginner to advanced

Condition: Very well maintained throughout the year

Sign posted: Yes, excellently

Bike rental: Yes

Brief description: The Ballyhoura Mountain Bike trails are the largest trail network to be found in Ireland. Fireroads and forest trails lead you up to tight, twisty, rocky single tracks. All the loops are connected somehow or another so you don't miss too much doing the shorter ones, just fireroad climbs. All the loops are sign posted and it is virtually impossible to miss an entrance to a trail, just follow the colour of the loop you want to take! If you do decide to tackle these trails make sure you come fully equipped as the trails are quite long and you don't want to be stuck out there with a problem. These are a fantastic set of trails and will not fail to let you down. Make sure you put Ballyhoura on your to-do list of trails...definitely worth a bash! A word of warning! Be very careful of the boardwalk during wet weather as it becomes extremely slippery and dangerous. It doesn't help that there are trees hanging across it as well!