Cycling in Dublin: City Routes and Coastal Escapes
Eight routes in and around Dublin, from a 7.2 km lap of Phoenix Park to the 25 km Dublin Bay loop, with notes on hire and the city traffic.
Introduction
Cycling in Dublin has got considerably easier over the last decade. There are now over 314 km of dedicated cycleways under the Dublin City Council’s Active Travel Network, plus a set of greenways that follow the coast out towards Howth in the north and Dalkey in the south.
The routes below run from a flat lap of Phoenix Park to a bay circuit with some climbing in it. Distances, surfaces and access points are given for each, along with notes on bike hire, taking a bike on the DART, and what the weather is likely to do to you.
Dublin’s Cycling Infrastructure at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Active Travel Network | 314 km of segregated cycle lanes, shared paths and low-traffic streets. 95 % of Dubliners will be within 400 m of the network when it is complete. |
| Key Greenways | Dodger Greenway, Grand Canal Way, Royal Canal Way, Coastal Greenway (South Wall-Sandycove). |
| Funding | €50 million per year from the National Transport Authority (2022-2025) supports new cycle lanes, surface upgrades and signage. |
| Bike-friendly policies | 30 km/h speed limit on most cycle paths, mandatory helmet use for children under 12, and a city-wide “Bike-First” traffic signal system at major junctions. |
| Navigation tools | Dublin Cycling Campaign’s interactive map, Google Maps cycling layer, Komoot, Ride with GPS, and the Dublin City Council PDF route guide (downloadable). |
These investments mean that most of the routes highlighted below are well-signed, mostly traffic-free and suitable for mixed-ability riders.
Top City Routes
1. Phoenix Park Circuit: 7.2 km (Easy)
- Surface: Fully paved, 100 % cycleway.
- Highlights: Deer herd sightings, historic Wellington Monument, the Papal Cross, and the Dublin Zoo perimeter.
- Access points: Parkgate (M50), Ashtown, and the Rathgar entrance, all with bike racks and water fountains.
- Why ride it? Ideal for a quick loop, family ride, or a warm-up before a longer journey. The route is flat, with an elevation gain of just 27 m, and takes about 30 minutes at a leisurely pace.
2. Dodder Greenway: 10 km (Easy-Moderate)
- Surface: Shared path with a smooth, compacted gravel base.
- Route: Tallaght → Rathfarnham → Rathgar → city centre, following the River Dodder.
- Key stops: Marsh Lane Park, Rathfarnham Castle (photo stop), and a coffee break at The Pear Tree Café in Rathgar.
- Difficulty: Mostly flat; a gentle climb of ~45 m near the Rathfarnham-Glenageary section. Takes about 1 hour at a relaxed pace.
3. Grand Canal Cycleway: 12 km (Moderate)
- Surface: Paved towpath, well-lit, with occasional river-side benches.
- Start/Finish: Charleville Mall (near the city centre) to Rathmines.
- Highlights: Historic locks, Grand Canal Dock skyline views, and the Corkagh Park wildlife area.
- Best for: Mid-week commuters who want a traffic-free link between the city centre and the south-side suburbs.
4. Dublin City Centre Loop: 9 km (Easy)
- Surface: Mix of protected bike lanes and low-traffic streets.
- Route: O’Connell Street → Trinity College → St. Stephen’s Green → Grafton Street → The Liberties → The Docklands → O’Connell Street.
- Highlights: The Spire of Dublin, Christ Church Cathedral, and no shortage of cafés to stop at.
- Tip: Use the bike-first traffic lights at the junction of Dame Street/Westmoreland Street for a smoother ride.
Scenic Coastal Escapes
1. Howth Head Loop: 15 km (Moderate)
- Surface: Mostly paved, with a few rugged sections near the cliffs.
- Elevation: Cumulative climb of 210 m, with the highest point at Ben of Howth (171 m).
- Highlights: Panoramic views of Dublin Bay, Baily Lighthouse, Howth Castle, and fresh seafood at the harbour.
- Access: DART station at Howth (bike racks on platform) or Howth Road car park.
- Why it’s special: Cliffs on one side, Dublin Bay on the other, and a fair chance of seals in the harbour. The wind off the sea is part of the deal.
2. Dublin Bay Loop: 25 km (Moderate-Hard)
- Surface: Predominantly paved bike lanes, with a short off-road segment on the Clontarf-Ringsend promenade.
- Key points: Clontarf Promenade, Merrion Gates, Sandycove, Killiney Bay, Dalkey, and back via Rathgar.
- Elevation: Gentle undulations, total climb ~ 180 m.
- Facilities: Water points at Sandymount and Killiney, public toilets at Sandycove, and several cafés (e.g., The Beach Café, Dalkey).
- Best time: Late spring to early autumn when the sea breeze is moderate; avoid high tide on the low-lying promenade sections.
3. South Wall & Sandycove Greenway: 5 km (Easy)
- Surface: Dedicated, traffic-free promenade on the South Wall, leading to the historic Sandycove Lighthouse.
- Highlights: Views of the Irish Sea, the Dublin Port industrial skyline, and the James Joyce reference at Sandycove (“Sandycove” in Ulysses).
- Access: Walk or bike from Ringsend DART station; bike racks available at the station and at the Sandycove parking area.
- Why ride it? Short, flat and entirely traffic-free, with a café stop at Sandycove Café at the far end. Good angle on the sunset over the bay.
4. Dalkey-Killiney Coastal Ride: 12 km (Easy-Moderate)
- Surface: Mostly paved, with a well-maintained coastal greenway that runs alongside the M50 but is separated from traffic.
- Highlights: Dalkey Castle, Killiney Hill (optional 5-km climb for the adventurous), rocky coves, and the Irish Sea vista.
- Parking: Bike racks at Dalkey Village and Killiney; limited car parking if you’re bringing a bike by car.
- Ideal for: Sunset rides, photography, and a leisurely coffee at The Little Green in Dalkey.
Practical Tips for Riding in Dublin
Bike Hire & Rental Options
| Provider | Type | Price (per day) | Pick-up locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| DublinBikes | E-bike (electric) | €20 | City Centre, Trinity College |
| Bike Ireland | Hybrid/road | €15 | Howth, Sandycove |
| GoBike | Gravel bike | €18 | Grand Canal Dock, Ranelagh |
| Local bike shops (e.g., The Cycle Hub, Mulligan Cycles) | Custom fit | Varies | Multiple city locations |
Tip: Reserve online during peak tourist periods (June-August) to guarantee availability.
Safety & Legal Essentials
- Helmet: Mandatory for riders under 12; strongly recommended for all adults.
- Lights: Front white, rear red, and reflective clothing are required after dark.
- Traffic rules: Cycle lanes have the same priority as vehicle lanes; obey traffic signals.
- Parking: Use designated bike racks; avoid blocking pedestrian pathways.
- Insurance: Check that your personal travel insurance covers cycling, especially on road sections.
Weather & Clothing
Dublin’s climate is mild but changeable. Typical summer temps: 15-20 °C; winter: 4-8 °C. Pack:
- Waterproof jacket (breathable), sudden rain showers are common.
- Layered clothing, a base-layer for warmth, a mid-layer for cooling.
- Gloves and a cap under the helmet for wind protection.
Navigation Apps & Maps
- Google Maps (Cycling layer): real-time traffic, route suggestions.
- Komoot: offline GPX files, detailed elevation profiles, user-generated tips.
- Dublin Cycling Campaign: interactive map of the Active Travel Network (PDF download:
dublin_active_travel_network.pdf). - Strava Heatmap: shows which local roads people actually ride, and which they avoid.
Public Transport & Bike Integration
- DART: Allows bicycles on board (except during peak rush hour). Stations at Howth, Dalkey, Dún Laoghaire have bike racks.
- Luas (tram): Bikes permitted on the Green Line (outside rush hour).
- BusConnects: New bus rapid transit corridors include dedicated bike lanes at several stops (e.g., Rathfarnham).
Planning Your Ride: A Step-by-Step Checklist
- Choose a route: Use the table above to match distance, difficulty and scenery to your fitness level.
- Check the surface: Some greenways have gravel sections; ensure your tyre width is appropriate (35-45 mm for mixed surfaces).
- Download a GPX file: Most route guides (Komoot, Ride with GPS) offer a one-click export for offline navigation.
- Inspect your bike: Brakes, tyre pressure (2.2–2.4 bar for road, 1.8–2.0 bar for gravel) and chain lubrication.
- Pack essentials: Water bottle (minimum 500 ml), multi-tool, spare inner tube, ID, and a small snack (e.g., banana or energy bar).
- Tell someone your plan: Especially for longer coastal rides; mobile signal can be spotty near cliffs.
- Start early: Dublin’s popular routes (Phoenix Park, Howth) get busy on weekends; early morning offers cooler temps and fewer crowds.
Conclusion
Dublin rewards a bit of planning. The Phoenix Park loop is the gentle option and Howth Head is the one with the climbing in it. Between the two sit the canal towpaths and the bay promenades. The Active Travel Network keeps growing, bike hire is easy to arrange, and the DART will carry you and the bike home if the weather turns on you.
One thing worth repeating from the checklist above: start early at weekends. Phoenix Park and Howth are both busy by mid-morning.