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"Flattish" trail running routes

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  • 19-08-2014 2:41pm
    #1
    inigo
    Registered Users Posts: 646 ✭✭✭


    Can anyone suggest places or routes, preferably in South Dublin/North Wicklow, that are off-road but not too hilly (say <500m gain)? I still have a couple of 30km+ long runs before my marathon and I'm a bit tired of the Wicklow Way fire roads and roads, except the bits through native forests covered in pine needles. I just love those, e.g. just above Crone car park, just before Glendalough... I wouldn't mind a max of 4-5 loops to a shorter route either.

    And please tell me of other areas if you know of any as I could be working on the other side of the country next week.

    PD: I'd like to run St Kevin's Way (~30km) but can't work out transport on my own. If anyone is interested we could leave a car at each end. I could only do it on the morning of Friday 5th September (before my marathon, "anytime" after that) and I would aim at 11-11.5min/mile... PM if interested.


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    #2
    wrstan
    Registered Users Posts: 767 ✭✭✭wrstan


    Have you been to Carrick Mountain, just outside Glenealy, it's beautiful mixed forest trails. "Flattish" might be stretching it a bit, but there are endless options, including plenty of routes that will keep the gradient reasonably gentle for the most part.


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    #3
    PaulieC
    Registered Users Posts: 6,185 ✭✭✭PaulieC


    Dublin mountain way ? There's a lovely section between Johnny Foxes and the far end of Cruagh wood. There and back would probably amount to ~30k.

    Here's a loop I did a couple of years ago which might also suit (Glendoo is a bit boggy so do it before the rain kicks in again) - http://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/2030911


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    #4
    BeepBeep67
    Registered Users Posts: 8,079 ✭✭✭BeepBeep67


    wrstan wrote: »
    Have you been to Carrick Mountain, just outside Glenealy, it's beautiful mixed forest trails. "Flattish" might be stretching it a bit, but there are endless options, including plenty of routes that will keep the gradient reasonably gentle for the most part.

    Here's the outer loop of Carrick, 2 laps including the run up and down to the GAA car pk is about 20, or you can cut across with endless single track and fire road options to avoid a 2nd lap.
    http://connect.garmin.com/activity/510638390


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    #5
    audreyp
    Registered Users Posts: 351 ✭✭audreyp


    Avondale and Roundwood are both flatish and lovely trail runs.

    http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/499556351
    http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/449137606

    Forestry park type trails. Lovely scenery.


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    #6
    inigo
    Registered Users Posts: 646 ✭✭✭inigo


    Thank you all for the suggestions. They all look very tempting! I'm sure I'll be running them all at some stage, starting this Thursday...:)


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    #7
    DubOnHoliday
    Registered Users Posts: 1,292 ✭✭✭DubOnHoliday


    You can do a nice run in the vale of clara, starting here 52.945564,-6.225961.

    If you run along the river to the Church (52.967507,-6.260609) and back its 10k.


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    #8
    inigo
    Registered Users Posts: 646 ✭✭✭inigo


    DubOnHoliday wrote: »
    You can do a nice run in the vale of clara, starting here 52.945564,-6.225961.

    If you run along the river to the Church (52.967507,-6.260609) and back its 10k.

    Nice one, thanks! Keep'em coming now... ;)


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    #9
    skittles11
    Registered Users Posts: 80 ✭✭skittles11


    inigo wrote: »
    Can anyone suggest places or routes, preferably in South Dublin/North Wicklow, that are off-road but not too hilly (say <500m gain)? I still have a couple of 30km+ long runs before my marathon and I'm a bit tired of the Wicklow Way fire roads and roads, except the bits through native forests covered in pine needles. I just love those, e.g. just above Crone car park, just before Glendalough... I wouldn't mind a max of 4-5 loops to a shorter route either.

    And please tell me of other areas if you know of any as I could be working on the other side of the country next week.

    PD: I'd like to run St Kevin's Way (~30km) but can't work out transport on my own. If anyone is interested we could leave a car at each end. I could only do it on the morning of Friday 5th September (before my marathon, "anytime" after that) and I would aim at 11-11.5min/mile... PM if interested.


    You could do the (almost completely) flat 7km loop of the lower lake at Roundwood reservoir. If that's sounds like too many laps you can cross the road at the Roundwood end and run up to and across the dam on the upper lake to make it 9.9km (kinda cool up there now cause their filming Vikings on the lake) Best to check it out on a map first if you don't know the route. Basically every green gate you see is access to the trail. Parking available down by the waterworks. I did 2 long laps and one short last week to get my 27km in. Looking for another route for this Saturday.
    Would be interested in the Kevin's Way run at some stage, must check it out.


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    #10
    DogSlySmile
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭DogSlySmile


    skittles11 wrote: »
    You could do the (almost completely) flat 7km loop of the lower lake at Roundwood reservoir. If that's sounds like too many laps you can cross the road at the Roundwood end and run up to and across the dam on the upper lake to make it 9.9km (kinda cool up there now cause their filming Vikings on the lake) Best to check it out on a map first if you don't know the route. Basically every green gate you see is access to the trail. Parking available down by the waterworks. I did 2 long laps and one short last week to get my 27km in. Looking for another route for this Saturday.
    Would be interested in the Kevin's Way run at some stage, must check it out.

    Sounds like the Reservoir Run 10k . Very float route and some nice views.


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    #11
    inigo
    Registered Users Posts: 646 ✭✭✭inigo


    skittles11 wrote: »
    You could do the (almost completely) flat 7km loop of the lower lake at Roundwood reservoir. If that's sounds like too many laps you can cross the road at the Roundwood end and run up to and across the dam on the upper lake to make it 9.9km (kinda cool up there now cause their filming Vikings on the lake) Best to check it out on a map first if you don't know the route. Basically every green gate you see is access to the trail. Parking available down by the waterworks. I did 2 long laps and one short last week to get my 27km in. Looking for another route for this Saturday.
    Would be interested in the Kevin's Way run at some stage, must check it out.

    Thanks, I did that last week. It was a nice run, flat and quiet. I saw all the signs and the security guys by the side of the road on my way to Roundwood. I was wondering what they were filming alright, as it looked like something big.

    It looks like I won't be able to do St Kevins until the beginning of November. I could PM closer to the time if you wish...


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    #12
    skittles11
    Registered Users Posts: 80 ✭✭skittles11


    inigo wrote: »
    It looks like I won't be able to do St Kevins until the beginning of November. I could PM closer to the time if you wish...

    Yeah, go for it and if it suits I'll tag along.
    Cheers.


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