What should you know before visiting Tibradden Wood?

Tibradden Wood is a popular Coillte forest in the Dublin Mountains, known for its accessible walking trails and views over Dublin. The main route is a 2.5km loop, while another trail leads to the summit of Tibradden Mountain, which features a prehistoric burial cairn. It's suitable for families and dog walkers, and also hosts the Zipit high-ropes course.

What are the main walking trails?

Short answer: There are two primary trails: an easy 2.5 km circular loop through the forest and a more moderate, steeper trail that leads to the summit of Tibradden Mountain.

The Tibradden Wood Trail (Pine Forest Loop)

This is the main, family-friendly walk in Tibradden. It's a well-marked circular route that covers about 2.5 kilometres and takes most people around 45 minutes to an hour to complete. The path winds through a mature pine forest on a relatively gentle gradient, making it a good choice for a casual stroll or for visitors with young children. You won't get the big panoramic views on this lower loop, but it's a pleasant and sheltered walk.

The Tibradden Mountain Summit Trail

For a better view, you can take the path that branches off the main loop and heads uphill towards the summit. This trail is shorter but significantly steeper and more rugged. The climb is well worth the effort. At the top, you'll find a large, open burial cairn and some of the best views across Dublin. Here's a good rule of thumb: the walk to the summit is steeper than it looks on the map, so wear shoes with good grip, not flat trainers.

How do you get to Tibradden and where can you park?

Short answer: Tibradden is reached by car via the R116 from Rathfarnham. It has a dedicated car park that fills up very quickly, especially on weekends, so arriving early is essential.

Directions by car

Getting to Tibradden is straightforward. From the M50 motorway, take exit 12 for Firhouse and Knocklyon. Follow the signs for the R113 towards Ballycullen, and then take the R116 (Edmondstown Road) which leads up into the Dublin Mountains. The entrance to the Tibradden Wood car park will be on your right-hand side, and it's clearly signposted.

Parking tips and alternatives

The car park is the biggest challenge when visiting Tibradden. It's not very big and on any sunny weekend, it's usually full by 10 am. If you arrive to find it full, do not park on the narrow road as it causes serious access issues. Your best bet is to either arrive very early or visit on a weekday. If you're set on a weekend walk, consider parking at the nearby Cruagh Wood car park and walking over, which adds about 20-30 minutes to your hike but guarantees you a spot.

What is the stone cairn at the summit?

Short answer: The large stone structure at the summit is a prehistoric burial site, specifically a Bronze Age passage tomb that was excavated in the 19th century.

A brief history of the tomb

The cairn on Tibradden Mountain is an ancient monument. It dates back to the Bronze Age, making it around 4,000 years old. An excavation in 1849 by the Royal Irish Academy revealed a small chamber, or cist, at the center. Inside, they found a decorated pottery vessel and human remains. Today, the tomb is open, and you can walk down a few steps into the central chamber, which was reconstructed after the excavation.

The view from the top

Standing on or beside the cairn offers a magnificent panoramic view. You can see across the entire city of Dublin, from the suburbs in the foreground out to Dublin Bay. On a clear day, the peninsula of Howth is clearly visible, as are the ships entering and leaving the port. It's one of the most rewarding viewpoints in the Dublin Mountains for a relatively short hike.

Is Tibradden Wood good for families and dogs?

Short answer: Yes, Tibradden is very popular with both families and dog walkers. The main trail is manageable for children, and there's an adventure park on site.

Activities for kids

The main 2.5 km loop is a great walk for children who are used to a bit of walking. The biggest attraction for families, however, is Zipit Forest Adventures. This is a high-ropes and zipline course set among the pine trees near the car park. It's a separate, paid activity that needs to be booked in advance, but it makes for a very exciting day out for older kids and teenagers.

Bringing your dog

Tibradden is a fantastic place to walk your dog. You'll see plenty of them on the trails. Coillte's official policy is that dogs should be kept on a lead to protect wildlife and out of respect for other forest users. While many people let their dogs off-lead, it's best to keep them under close control, especially near the car park and on busy sections of the trail.

Pros of visiting Tibradden Wood	Cons of visiting Tibradden Wood
Excellent views of Dublin city and bay	The car park is very small and fills up fast
Easy-to-follow, well-marked trails	It can be very crowded, especially on weekends
Interesting historical cairn at the summit	The main walking loop is quite short
Good for families and dog walkers	Trails can get very muddy after rainfall
Free to enter and walk around	No toilets, cafe, or other facilities on site

Common mistakes to avoid at Tibradden

• Arriving at noon on a sunny Sunday. You simply won't get a parking spot. The only fix is to arrive before 10 am, visit on a weekday, or have a backup plan ready, like heading to the nearby Cruagh Wood instead.
• Wearing the wrong footwear. The lower loop is fine in trainers, but the path to the summit is uneven, rocky, and can be very slippery when wet. To avoid a twisted ankle, wear proper walking shoes or boots with good grip.
• Sticking only to the marked path. The view from the cairn is great, but some of the best, most unobstructed photos of Dublin can be found by carefully exploring the small clearings just off the main summit trail. Keep an eye out for them on your way up.

Alternatives to Tibradden Wood

If Tibradden is too busy or you fancy a change, the Dublin Mountains have other great options.

• Cruagh Wood: Located right next to Tibradden, this is your best alternative when the car park is full. It generally has longer, quieter trails and offers similarly impressive views from its summit.
• Ticknock Forest: A few kilometres away, Ticknock is a much larger forest with more facilities, including a cafe and bike rental. It's better if you want a wider variety of trails and don't mind bigger crowds.
• Hell Fire Club (Montpelier Hill): Choose this spot for a short, steep walk with a focus on spooky history and folklore. The ruins of the hunting lodge at the top provide a different kind of interest than the Tibradden cairn.

Quick recap

• Tibradden Wood has two main walks: an easy 2.5km loop and a steeper trail to a Bronze Age cairn.
• The main challenge is the small car park, which fills very quickly on weekends. Arrive early or have a backup plan.
• The summit of Tibradden Mountain offers fantastic panoramic views over Dublin.
• It's a great choice for families, with the added attraction of the Zipit high-ropes course.
• Wear sturdy shoes with good grip if you plan to walk to the top.

Frequently asked questions about Tibradden Wood

How long is the Tibradden Wood walk?

The main lower loop, called the Pine Forest Trail, is 2.5 km and typically takes between 45 and 60 minutes. The walk to the summit and back adds another 30-40 minutes and is a steeper climb.

Is Tibradden Wood hard?

The main loop is easy and suitable for most fitness levels. The trail to the summit cairn is a moderate climb. It's steep in some sections but is relatively short and manageable for most people who are steady on their feet.

Where do you park for Tibradden Wood?

There is one official car park for Tibradden Wood located on the R116 road. It is free but very small and often full. Arriving before 10 am on weekends is recommended. Do not park on the narrow road outside.

Can you see Dublin from Tibradden?

Yes, the summit of Tibradden Mountain provides one of the best panoramic views of Dublin. You can see the entire city, Dublin Bay, and the Howth peninsula very clearly on a good day.