Sally Gap route advice.

AndyPandy123

Hi all,

I've recently moved out to rathfarnham and am looking to go for a spin up to the Sally Gap next week and am just looking for advice from some who will he more familiar with the area than me.
Would I be right in saying Rathfarnham-Glencullen-Glencree- through the national park- then eventually making my way to Dublin mountain golf club and into Tallaght and then home as my best route?
That seems to be the most logical from google maps but any advise would be great.

Wishbone Ash

AndyPandy123 wrote: »

...Would I be right in saying Rathfarnham-Glencullen-Glencree- through the national park- then eventually making my way to Dublin mountain golf club and into Tallaght and then home as my best route?
That seems to be the most logical from google maps but any advise would be great.

Not sure what you mean by 'best' or'logical' route!

Do you mean shortest?

If you are in Rathfarnham, then it straight up Stocking Lane/Kilakee Road/Military Road.

To go via Glencullen would require you going east first to climb via Kilternan

Regarding the Golf Club, you'd have to double back from the Gap to the Featherbeds to descend that way (i.e. via Bohernabreena?).

AndyPandy123

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

AndyPandy123 wrote: »

...Would I be right in saying Rathfarnham-Glencullen-Glencree- through the national park- then eventually making my way to Dublin mountain golf club and into Tallaght and then home as my best route?
That seems to be the most logical from google maps but any advise would be great.

Not sure what you mean by 'best' or'logical' route!

Do you mean shortest?

If you are in Rathfarnham, then it straight up Stocking Lane/Kilakee Road/Military Road.

To go via Glencullen would require you going east first to climb via Kilternan

Regarding the Golf Club, you'd have to double back from the Gap to the Featherbeds to descend that way (i.e. via Bohernabreena?).

What I was getting at was that I'm unsure of what route to take starting in rathfarnham that I can do a loop and take in the Sally gap as I've never cycled it before..

RobertFoster

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Regarding the Golf Club, you'd have to double back from the Gap to the Featherbeds to descend that way (i.e. via Bohernabreena?).

I think they meant via Manor Kilbride/Brittas rather than doubling back.

Glencullen is certainly an indirect way from Rathfarnham to Sally Gap. I'd take either Stocking Lane or Cruagh to the view point, then continue on from there: https://goo.gl/maps/3cZa6gU3CDm

I'd say living in Rathfarnham you'll have plenty of opportunity to explore the various climbs and loops.

the world wonders

Up Stocking Lane/the Military Road, back via R759, enjoy the view over Lough Tay and stop in Enniskerry or Powerscourt for a coffee.


https://goo.gl/maps/wQwdSQHVDWP2

AndyPandy123

Cheers for answers above. Was doing a bit of looking on street view last night so have a fair idea of the loop I'm going to do.

Also the comedy option of heading towards Knocklyon up bohernabreena and up to the featherbeds via Cunnard Hill.

You are spoiled for choice with Hilly options near Rathfarnham.

smacl

ronoc wrote: »

Also the comedy option of heading towards Knocklyon up bohernabreena and up to the featherbeds via Cunnard Hill.

You are spoiled for choice with Hilly options near Rathfarnham.

Or for added laughs, Bohrenabreena, Cunard, the Line to Ballinascorney, Kippure Village, Gap.

The Cycling pianist

Just a word of warning, a large portion of the road from the viewing point (military road) to the Sally gap is in atrocious condition

cjonesy1

The Cycling pianist wrote: »

Just a word of warning, a large portion of the road from the viewing point (military road) to the Sally gap is in atrocious condition

I don't think it's that bad. They've re-paved some of it recently too.

Carawaystick

The Cycling pianist wrote: »

Just a word of warning, a large portion of the road from the viewing point (military road) to the Sally gap is in atrocious condition

Just go up Cunard so, baby smooth surface...
The road from top of Cunard to the Sally gap was fine on the reservoir dog

P_1

The Cycling pianist wrote: »

Just a word of warning, a large portion of the road from the viewing point (military road) to the Sally gap is in atrocious condition

Seeing as that's a lungbuster of a climb I can't imagine that being too much of a concern

smacl

Carawaystick wrote: »

Just go up Cunard so, baby smooth surface...
The road from top of Cunard to the Sally gap was fine on the reservoir dog

Very smooth but also a bit mossy at the bottom, where a few went slip sliding away

Chuchote

ronoc wrote: »

Also the comedy option of heading towards Knocklyon up bohernabreena and up to the featherbeds via Cunnard Hill.

You are spoiled for choice with Hilly options near Rathfarnham.

Perhaps a comedy option, but one of the most beautiful cycles in Ireland.

retalivity

Chuchote wrote: »

Perhaps a comedy option, but one of the most beautiful cycles in Ireland.

Depends on how bad the flytipping is...

Chuchote

retalivity wrote: »

Depends on how bad the flytipping is...

And how badly it's cleaned up. I became personally familiar with many of the bags above the valley over years as I drove by them. The council never, never did anything about them, as far as I could see, either to stop people dumping or to clear the place up.

1bryan

The Cycling pianist wrote: »

Just a word of warning, a large portion of the road from the viewing point (military road) to the Sally gap is in atrocious condition

where abouts? I was up there saturday morning and it was fine.

they've resurfaced a portion of road from Kippure mast onwards (though not all the way).

Chuchote

1bryan wrote: »

where abouts? I was up there saturday morning and it was fine.

they've resurfaced a portion of road from Kippure mast onwards (though not all the way).

Go up past Glenasmole, through Friarstown, Piperstown towards the part of the Featherbeds where Noel Lemass's poor body was found. On that approach road, in the ditch all along the left, is an archaeological treasure-house of filth.

Not sure of the name of the place, would it be Glassamucky?

It might be worth getting together with local people and going up with black plastic bags some time to clear it, but you'd practically need hazard dress, plus flatback trucks to take the stuff.

smacl

Chuchote wrote: »

Not sure of the name of the place, would it be Glassamucky?

It would.

It might be worth getting together with local people and going up with black plastic bags some time to clear it, but you'd practically need hazard dress, plus flatback trucks to take the stuff.

Was up there over the weekend and saw some local people doing just that. There was a boards organised clean up on the Military road a while back (which I missed), could be worth organising another one.

1bryan

Chuchote wrote: »

Go up past Glenasmole, through Friarstown, Piperstown towards the part of the Featherbeds where Noel Lemass's poor body was found. On that approach road, in the ditch all along the left, is an archaeological treasure-house of filth.

Not sure of the name of the place, would it be Glassamucky?

It might be worth getting together with local people and going up with black plastic bags some time to clear it, but you'd practically need hazard dress, plus flatback trucks to take the stuff.

oh right, I get you now.

A couple of miles past lough bray there was a northern reg Audi A4 with a smashed passenger side window, I presume, stolen and abandoned.

I'd say those hills come 'alive' at night time.

Chuchote

1bryan wrote: »

oh right, I get you now.

A couple of miles past lough bray there was a northern reg Audi A4 with a smashed passenger side window, I presume, stolen and abandoned.

I'd say those hills come 'alive' at night time.

You'd be right. I have friends who live off the Military Road and drive round by the motorway late at night rather than driving on that road.

If you want to really see the filth deposited at Glassamucky, go up there in a truck or in a 4x4 so you have a view down into the ditches. It makes you wonder if humans are that good an idea.

Don't Chute!

Chuchote wrote: »

Go up past Glenasmole, through Friarstown, Piperstown towards the part of the Featherbeds where Noel Lemass's poor body was found. On that approach road, in the ditch all along the left, is an archaeological treasure-house of filth.

Not sure of the name of the place, would it be Glassamucky?

It might be worth getting together with local people and going up with black plastic bags some time to clear it, but you'd practically need hazard dress, plus flatback trucks to take the stuff.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057561661

AndyPandy123

Did this route yesterday, left the house a bit late so was worried about it getting dark while up there but it all worked out in the end.
Really enjoyed it.