Directions (via Watergrasshill):
In wategrasshill turn left at the pub in the middle of the village.
Follow that road towards Glenville,
after 3 or 4 miles this road merges with a road from your left, go straight on (i.e. Veer right).
take the next left about ½ mile later which takes you into Glenville village.
Turn right to head up through Gelnville village and follow the road as it turns to the left as you exit the village.
About 2 miles on you get to a crossroads but the main road turns to the right, so keep right.
A few hundred meters on you get to a skew bridge, and a few hundred meters later there is a Y junction, turn right.
Keep on this road for about 2 or 3 miles, you should be winding your way towards the forest (most of the trees by the road are cut down!)
Near the mountain you should pass a forestry barrier on your left just as the road crests on a hill, there is a sign saying “special events require permission” or something similar that is the P sign on the map.
Here is my normal route, about 12-15Km, 1.5 to 2hrs….
On the map with the routes marked, Red is cyclable fire road or single track. Blue is a water hazard ( a deep puddle or bog).
There are Two starting points. The P sign on the map or where I marked “start”. The P is higher up the hill, so less climbing to begin.
I usually start at the “start” because there is no hill to climb at the end!
Start (or P) to 1 This is fire road on a gentle enough incline.
1 -> 2 This is fire road on a gentle enough incline.
2 -> 3 This is rough fire road in a sharp incline and it begins to get wet i.e. flowing surface water.
3 -> 4 At point 3 keep right for the main trail. There is a reasonable flat incline to 4 on rock/sand/mud surface
4 -> 5 Turn left at 4 for the main trail, up a steep boulder garden section. (If you are mad and skilled enough you could try to turn right an drop down to point 9 but it’s very very steep and rocky! You can look back up it from 9 when you get there.) Half way between 4 & 5 you hit the highest point from there to 5 is a fast drop on a loose rocky path.
5 -> 6 at 5 turn left for 6. It’s a short slight up hill pull to 6.
6 -> 7 The right hand turn at 6 is not very obvious. It’s a small heather covered single track the whole way to 7 but it undulated up and down and left and right so if you keep your speed up it a good buzz. About 100m in from the turn at 6 you must pass through a deep puddle on trail right, it’s knee deep but is clear of any hidden rocks so you cycle straight through!
7 -> 8 The last few hundred meter of 6-7 is along the tree line (if they haven’t been cut) and there is a cross roads at 7. Turn right up the incline. There is bit of a pull up to 8.
8 -> 9 Turn left at 8, there are a few puddles at the start and a fair bit of surface water. The incline is slightly down hill but you need to pedal to keep your speed up. Keep on the centre ridge for the most part. The last 200m to 9 is down hill on loose boulders with some small drops.
9 -> 10 point 9 is a cross roads (you pass a left 10m before point 9, ignore it). You can look back up the hill to 4 and see what you missed! You want to go left down the hill. It’s grass and lots of gorse left and right. Stick to the very narrow ridge if you want any chance to cycle down. You go through a deep gully and back onto the fire road.
10 -> 11 Fire road climb
11 -> 12 Fire road climb
12 -> 13 This is the best bit… about 1.5km of single track down hill. There is unfortunately a boggy section to pass, that must be walked (you can try cycling through the lake…nobody I know made it yet!). Mostly this track is loose boulders it narrows in places so watch out for overhanging briars that could snag your handles.
13 -> 14 OR 13 -> 7
Point 13 is a big clearing that is a cross roads (on a slope) turn left (to 7) or right (14) on fire road for the climb back to the other side of the Mt. Either way it’s a long slog!
If you enjoyed the first sections go left to 7 for something new head to 14.
14->11->start fire road all the way. Dh at speed from 11!
14->15->16 This can be fun but it’s a while since I did it and it can be a bit overgrown. Section 16 is great if it’s cyclable, narrow heather/goarse single track with a few sharp DH inclines.
The map is accurate enought but even with it it is easy to get lost! The best way to experience it is to join us some weekend for a spin, so keep an eye on the spins posts.
Regards niall.
Watergrasshill to Glenville:
Glenville to Nagles:
The trail map:
