I'm 13 and I've been mountain biking near Clonmel since I was 10. I ride with Frankie, Shay, Aidan, Callum, Gerard, and Paddy — most of us have been riding together for a couple of years. This page is for young riders and their parents who want to get into MTB near Clonmel, and for kids who want to know what's possible here.

Starting young — the best first trails near Clonmel

Suir Valley Greenway is the easiest start for any age. The greenway runs 46km from Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir along the river — flat, surfaced, no technical challenges. It's a proper ride that feels like an achievement without any of the off-road difficulty. Good for building cycling fitness and confidence before going off-road.

Lower Faobam tracks — when you're ready for off-road. The lower fire roads on Faobam (the forest hill on the south side of Clonmel) are manageable from about age 10 if you're a confident cyclist. Wide tracks, mostly gradual gradients, and you're never far from town. I spent a lot of time on these tracks when I first started.

Glengarra Wood near Cahir is another good early option. About 20 minutes from Clonmel via the N8, it has easy forest tracks through beautiful woodland. Popular with families.

When you're ready to progress

Once you're comfortable on the lower Faobam tracks, the progression goes: upper Faobam singletrack, then lower Comeragh forestry approaches, then the Kilcommon Loop (when your fitness and technical skills are solid), then the upper Comeragh terrain.

I was doing the lower Faobam tracks at 10, the Kilcommon Loop at 11-12, and the more technical upper Comeragh stuff from 12 onwards. This isn't a rule — some riders progress faster — but it gives you an honest sense of the progression.

Riding with your crew — it makes everything better

The best thing about mountain biking isn't the bikes or the trails — it's riding with your mates. Me and Frankie first started riding together on Faobam and we found lines we'd never have found alone. Someone who knows the trails teaches you faster than any YouTube video. If you're new to Clonmel area riding, find one person who knows the trails and go out with them first.

Riding in a group also makes everything safer. If something happens on a remote trail — a crash, a mechanical, a wrong turn — having other riders with you means someone can get help. I don't ride the upper Comeraghs solo and neither should anyone else, regardless of age.

Kit that's actually necessary for young riders

  • Helmet — fitted properly. Not pushed back on your head. Properly. If it moves when you shake your head, tighten it.
  • Knee pads. Young riders fall more as they're learning — knee pads prevent a bad graze from becoming a reason to stop riding.
  • Gloves. Same reason — hands take the impact in most falls.
  • Charged phone. Not for TikTok (well, maybe). For emergencies and to tell someone where you are.
  • Water. You'll forget it once and then never forget it again.

For parents — what to know about Clonmel area riding

The trails around Clonmel are natural — no trail centre, no graded signs. The lower forest tracks are very accessible. The upper mountain terrain (Comeragh Mountains, Knockmealdowns) is remote and should be treated with respect. Bring a waterproof layer for kids on any mountain ride even in summer — the weather changes fast above the treeline.

The best time for younger riders: April-September on the forest trails, April-August on the mountain terrain. Avoid upper mountain in poor visibility or forecast rain.

More on this site

Follow @d.emtb on Instagram — I post clips from all the trails near Clonmel, including the easier routes.