The Tibradden Wood Walk is 3.5 km out-and-back hike located about 30 minutes from Dublin. The Tibradden Wood Walk is a relatively easy mountain walk that tale just around an hour to complete.This trail meanders through a serene pine forest, leading hikers to the summit of Tibradden Mountain. Along the way, you will be treated to panoramic views of Dublin Bay, glimpses of the Wicklow Mountains, and the chance to explore an ancient burial Tibradden cairn. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or seeking a peaceful woodland stroll with stunning panoramic views on Dublin. , the Tibradden Wood walk is the perfect hike for you.
Explore the full Tibradden Wood Walk profile below for trail map, Driving directions, and more tips and details to help you enjoy this adventure right at the doorsteps of Dublin.
Tibradden Wood Walk Snapshot
| Hike Distance | 3.5 km |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Duration | 1h 10mn |
| Total Ascent | 300 m |
| Trail Type | out-and-back hike |
| Dog | allowed on leash |
| Hike Trail Map | Tibradden wood walk map |
| Dublin Drive | 30 min |
| Driving Directions | Tibradden Wood Carpark |
| Beauty | Panoramic views, Mountain, Forest, |
| Activities | Hiking, Birdwatching, Picnic Areas,Photography |
Tibradden Wood Walk : Direction and Trailhead
By Car
The starting point for the Tibradden Wood Walk is located at the The Tibradden Wood car park just off the R116 between Rathfarnham and Glencullen. It is about a 30-minute drive south of Dublin city. This is the same car park used by Zipit Forest Adventures, and it’s well signposted.
There’s free parking available with that can accommodate about 50 cars, but it can fill up quickly on weekends and sunny days, so arriving early is a good idea. The car park is also just minutes away from Cruagh Wood, making it easy to link both walks into one trip.
Directions from Dublin:
- Take the M50 southbound and exit at Junction 12 for Firhouse.
- Follow the R113 and then turn onto the Ballyboden road R116 Rockbrook.
- Continue uphill for about 6 km. You will drive by the Merry Ploughboy Gastro pub.(I would recommand to stop by on your way back!!)
- Tibradden Wood car park will be on your left, signposted as Zipit Adventure.
Tibradden Woods Car park Opening Hours:
- April to September: 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
- October to March: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
By public transport
Getting to Tibradden Wood without a car is possible, though it requires a bit of planning:
- From Dublin City Centre
Start at O’Connell Street and take the Luas Green Line tram heading towards Brides Glen. Hop off at the Balally stop. - Bus from Balally
Exit the Luas at Balally and walk to the nearby ‘Balally Park and Ride’ bus stop. From there, take Dublin Bus number 16 towards Tibradden. The journey takes about 20 minutes. - Arriving at Tibradden
Get off at the ‘Tibradden Woods’ stop, which is located right next to the forest entrance. From here, it’s just a short walk to the trailhead. Follow the signs and enjoy the peaceful woodland path.
Whether you’re driving or using public transport, Tibradden is surprisingly accessible for a true Dublin Mountains adventure just outside Dublin City.
The Hike: Tibradden Wood Walk
You begin your walk at the car park shared with Zipit Treetop Adventure Park. Head to the far end of the car park and take the trail that climbs up to the right, following the yellow Dublin Mountains Way waymarker. The path leads you into the peaceful and scenic Tibradden pine forest, with the zipline course visible through the trees on your right.
After about 200 metres, you’ll reach another yellow Dublin Mountains Way sign where the forest path veers left. From this point, the trail becomes a little steeper as you begin your gradual ascent through the woodland.
The forest path continues to gently meander through stands of Sitka spruce and pine trees, creating a peaceful, shaded atmosphere. After a short distance, you’ll reach a junction with a wider forestry road. Here, follow the yellow Dublin Mountains Way marker by turning left.
Just 20 metres along this road, look out for a narrow trail on your right, nestled between two granite boulders — this is your next turn.
Follow this smaller forest path for about 100 metres until you reach another crossing with a wider forest road. Once again, turn left and continue to follow the Dublin Mountains Way.
After approximately 50 metres on this forest road, you’ll see another smaller trail climbing up to your right — this is the route that begins the more open and elevated section of the walk..
After about 200 metres through the forest, the trees begin to thin out and the trail opens onto the exposed hillside — this is where your ascent to the summit of Tibradden Mountain truly begins. The path underfoot changes to a rugged surface of large granite stones, guiding you steadily uphill.
Roughly 200 metres further, you’ll come to a short boardwalk section, around 30 metres long, helping you cross a boggy patch before returning once again to the stony trail. As you climb higher, with Cruagh Wood off to your right, the landscape around you starts to unfold beautifully.
Take a moment to look back: on a clear day, you can enjoy sweeping views over Dublin city, stretching out to Howth Head, Dublin Bay, and even as far north as the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland.
Not long after, you’ll reach another short stretch of boardwalk — this marks your arrival at the prehistoric burial cairn at the summit of Tibradden, standing at 470 metres. This ancient site, partially excavated in the 19th century, is a fascinating reminder of the mountain’s long human history.
This is a perfect spot to pause, catch your breath, and soak up the spectacular views all around you.
Once you’ve taken in the summit views and explored the ancient Tibradden Cairn, it’s time to retrace your steps back down the hillside and through the forest to return to the Zipit car park.
Before heading home, why not treat yourself to a well-earned coffee at the Zipit Adventure coffee shop, located right at the trailhead?
And if you’re still in the mood for more hiking, you’re in luck — the beautiful Cruagh Wood Walk starts just a few minutes up the road. It’s the perfect way to extend your day out in the Dublin Mountains.
Tibradden cairn: Did you know?
Tibradden Mountain stands some 470 m (1540 feet) hight and is formed from granite with large glacial boulders strewn over its slopes. The upper sections of the mountain are covered with blanket bog, where it is possible to spot red grouse in amongst the heather.
The name Tibradden is thought to derive from Tigh Brodain, meaning Brodain’s House. A prehistoric cairn (a large mound of loosely piled stone) is situated on the summit of the mountain. When the cairn was excavated in 1849, antiquarians found a central cist (a stone-lined pit) that contained a pottery food vessel of Bronze Age type and cremated human remains within a circular chamber with a diameter of approximately 3m. A spiral motif carved on a stone is thought the date from the nineteenth century, but was inspired by the prehistoric art.
Locally the cairn on Tibradden is known as “Niall Dhú’sGrave”, after Niall Dhú, or Niall Glúndub, who became High King of Ireland in 915 AD. To the east the cairn of Fairy Castle can be seen on the summit of Two Rock Mountain, and to the north west you can see the Hell Fire Club, where two tombs once stood behind the building.
Things to Do Near Tibradden Woods
Tibradden Wood is ideally located in the heart of the Dublin Mountains, offering plenty of nearby attractions and activities to turn your hike into a full day out:
1. Zipit Tibradden Forest Adventures
Right at the Tibradden car park, Zipit offers a fun and challenging treetop experience for kids and adults alike — perfect if you’re visiting with family or looking to add a bit of adrenaline to your forest walk.
2. Cruagh Wood Walk
Just a short drive up the R116, the Cruagh Wood Walk is another beautiful forest loop with great views and a quieter atmosphere. It’s a fantastic follow-up hike or alternative route if Tibradden is busy. [Read more about the Cruagh Wood Walk →]
3. Hellfire Club & Montpelier Hill
Only 10 minutes away by car, this popular trail leads to the ruins of the historic Hellfire Club and offers panoramic views over Dublin city and bay. A great option for sunset walkers.[Read more about the Hell Fire Club Walk]
4. Johnny Fox’s Pub (Glencullen)
Just a few minutes from the trailhead, this iconic Irish pub claims to be the highest in Ireland and is known for its hearty food, traditional music, and lively atmosphere.
5. The Merry Ploughboy gastro Pub (Rockbrook)
A local favourite with a genuine Irish pub atmosphere, this spot is a short drive away and serves excellent pub grub with plenty of locally sourced ingredients. They’re also known for live music in the evenings.
