David MTB @d.emtb
Mountain biking trails near Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

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Mountain Biking in Clonmel

The complete local guide to mountain biking out of Clonmel, Co. Tipperary — Comeragh, Knockmealdown, Galtee and Slievenamon trails, written by a rider who lives here.

Clonmel · Co. Tipperary · Ireland · by David English (@d.emtb)

I'm David. I'm 13, I'm from Clonmel, and I love everything mountain biking. I ride all the trails around Clonmel. This page is for anyone looking up mountain biking in the area — what's actually here, where to ride, and what to expect.

Clonmel sits in a really good spot for MTB. We're surrounded by four mountain ranges — the Comeraghs to the south, the Knockmealdowns to the south-east, the Galtees to the north-west, and Slievenamon to the east. All within 30 minutes. That's a lot of riding for one town.

The trails in and around Clonmel

There's no single big trail centre in Clonmel itself. What we have is something better — proper hill country in every direction, forest tracks, and a local scene of riders who actually know where the good lines are.

The Comeragh Mountains

South of Clonmel, the Comeraghs are the closest serious riding to the town. Mahon Falls, the coum lakes, and a network of forest tracks that climb up out of the lowlands. Mixed elevation — you can put a proper day in here.

The Knockmealdown Mountains

South-east toward Lismore. The Knockmealdowns are quieter than the Comeraghs but the Coillte forest network is significant. Long climbs, fast descents through pine, and the higher ridges are open ground for the confident.

The Galtee Mountains

North-west of Clonmel toward Mitchelstown, the Galtees are Ireland's highest inland mountain range. Big-country riding for fit riders — long fire-road climbs, exposed ridges, and remote loops.

Slievenamon

East of Clonmel toward Carrick-on-Suir. Lower than the others but the closest "real mountain" to the town. A great hill for shorter sessions, a fast lap before tea, or a gentler day out.

Local trails close to town

For shorter rides, the local forest network gives you most of what a trail rider needs. Forest fire roads make natural loops, and the singletrack between them gets shaped over time by local riders.

If you're new to the area: start with the lower forest tracks before pushing up onto the open mountain. The weather changes quickly in Tipperary, and the higher ground gets exposed fast.

What kind of riding is it?

Honest answer — it's Ireland. That means it's wet a lot of the year. The ground is rooty, the soil holds water, and you need tyres that grip in mud. Most of the riding around Clonmel is trail / all-mountain rather than downhill or bike-park — long natural climbs, technical natural descents, and stretches of fire road in between.

You don't need a downhill bike. A capable hardtail or a 130-150mm trail bike will do everything around here.

Getting to Clonmel for an MTB trip

  • From Dublin: 2 hours via M7/M8 to Cahir, then 15 minutes to Clonmel
  • From Cork: 1 hour 20 minutes via M8
  • From Shannon: 1 hour 30 minutes via Tipperary town
  • From Rosslare ferry: 1 hour 40 minutes — handy if you're driving over from the UK

Clonmel itself has accommodation, bike shops in the wider county, and good food. The town is on the River Suir which means flat road riding in the valley if you want a recovery day.

When to ride

The best months for Clonmel MTB are April through October. May and September are honest favourites — the ground is firm, the days are long, and the tourist roads are quieter than peak summer. Winter is rideable but the higher ground gets boggy and you want better tyres.

Who rides here?

The Clonmel and wider Tipperary MTB scene is small but real. There's no big bike club organising rides every weekend, but you'll spot riders on the local trails most weeks. If you're visiting and want trail tips, drop us a message.

Every MTB trail in Clonmel, Tipperary & Waterford

This is the index. Every mountain bike-able spot in the wider Clonmel catchment — Co. Tipperary on the north and west, Co. Waterford on the south. If a trail is rideable and within an hour of Clonmel, it's on this page.

Co. Tipperary mountain bike trails

  • Faobam — the local network in the hills above Clonmel. Singletrack, natural lines, no signage, no car park. Trails you learn by riding them. Skill: intermediate · 10–20 min from town
  • Glen of Aherlow — long valley between the Galtees and Slievenamuck. Forest fire roads make natural loops; the higher routes climb onto open mountain. Multiple Coillte entries. Skill: all levels · 35 min from Clonmel
  • Glengarra Wood — old Coillte wood off the N8 south of Cahir. Mostly walking trails but rideable for shorter loops and a gentle warm-up. Skill: beginner / family · 20 min from Clonmel
  • Kilcash & Slievenamon trails — forest network on the south-west side of the mountain. The fire road climb to the summit is a long, rideable ascent. Skill: intermediate · 25 min from Clonmel
  • Galtee Mountains forest network — south-side Coillte plantations climbing up toward Galtymore. Steep fire-road climbs, long technical descents. Skill: confident · 40 min from Clonmel
  • Knockmealdown Mountains (Tipperary side) — northern slopes off Clogheen and the Vee Pass. Mixed forest and open mountain riding. Skill: intermediate / confident · 25 min from Clonmel
  • Ardfinnan / Knocklofty woods — small Coillte plantations between Clonmel and Cahir. Short loops, family-friendly. Skill: beginner / family · 15 min from Clonmel
  • Kilbarry Forest, Cahir — Coillte forest west of Cahir. Quiet fire-road network for shorter sessions. Skill: beginner / intermediate · 20 min from Clonmel
  • Templemore Forest — Coillte network in mid-Tipperary, north of Clonmel. Good for a day out if you want somewhere different. Skill: all levels · 1 hr from Clonmel
  • Slieveardagh Hills — rolling hill country between Tipperary and Kilkenny. Forest tracks and quiet back roads. Skill: gravel / intermediate · 40 min from Clonmel

Co. Waterford mountain bike trails

  • Comeragh Mountains — the closest serious hill country to Clonmel. Mahon Falls car park is the main approach, with Coillte forest entries off the R676. Full Comeragh guide → Skill: confident · 25 min from Clonmel
  • Mahon Falls trails — the iconic Waterford ride. Park at the falls car park, climb out, link the upland fire roads. Views down to the coast on a clear day. Skill: confident · 30 min from Clonmel
  • Coumshingaun & the coum lakes — dramatic glacial corries. The hike-a-bike around the rim is for experienced riders only; the lower forest approach is rideable. Skill: expert · 35 min from Clonmel
  • Glenshelane Forest, Cappoquin — Coillte forest network with a marked walking trail. Quiet fire-road riding, gentle climbs, river crossings. Skill: beginner / intermediate · 35 min from Clonmel
  • Knockmealdown Mountains (Waterford side) — south slopes toward Lismore. The Vee Pass climb (R668) is a famous road but the surrounding forestry is rideable. Skill: intermediate · 30 min from Clonmel
  • Bay Lough / The Vee — small mountain lake at the top of the Vee Pass. Park at the lay-by, ride the forest tracks both sides. Skill: intermediate · 35 min from Clonmel
  • Knockanaffrin Ridge — open mountain ridge on the western edge of the Comeraghs. Big-day riding for fit, confident riders in good weather only. Skill: expert · 40 min from Clonmel
  • Mount Congreve Estate — woodland and parkland trails near Waterford city. Mostly walking but the wider tracks ride well. Skill: beginner / family · 1 hr from Clonmel
  • Curraghmore Estate — large private estate with permissive trails (check current access). Old carriage tracks through deer parkland. Skill: beginner / intermediate · 35 min from Clonmel
  • Coumaraglin Mountain — quieter Comeragh sub-range north of Mahon Falls. Forest entry off the R671. Skill: intermediate · 30 min from Clonmel

Quick guide: which trail for which day

  • Have an hour after school? Faobam, Glengarra, Kilbarry, Ardfinnan.
  • Half-day session? Slievenamon, Glen of Aherlow, Glenshelane, Kilcash.
  • Full day out? Comeragh Mountains via Mahon Falls, Knockmealdowns via the Vee, Galtees south side.
  • Big-day epic? Knockanaffrin ridge, Galtymore approaches, Coumshingaun loop.
  • Wet day? Lower Coillte forests drain better — Glenshelane, Kilbarry, Templemore.
  • Family ride? Mount Congreve, Glengarra, Curraghmore (check access), Knocklofty.

Bike shops & service near Clonmel

For repairs and parts in the wider Clonmel / Tipperary / Waterford area you've got several options including independent bike shops in Clonmel, Cahir, Tipperary town, Carrick-on-Suir and Waterford city. If you're new to the area and need a recommendation, drop us a message and we'll point you at the closest one.

Weather and ground conditions

Clonmel sits in the Suir valley, sheltered between the Comeraghs and the Galtees, so the town stays milder than the surrounding hills. The mountains catch weather though — fog and rain roll in fast on the higher ground even when the valley is clear. Best riding months are April through October. Winter rides on the higher trails need proper kit and good tyres.

Detailed trail guides

This page is the most complete index of mountain bike trails in the Clonmel, Tipperary and Waterford area on the web. If you ride somewhere local that isn't listed, tell me about it and I'll add it.