Coolaney MTB Trails
Overview
Welcome to the Coolaney Mountain Bike Trail Network. This is a network of purpose-built singletrack trails and forest roads that are designed for use by mountain bikes on waymarked circular routes of between 3km and 22km in length. This is the first phase of an extensive trail system being built in the Ox Mountains, near Coolaney.
The trails take riders through forest and heathland with incredible views northwards over Ballisodare and Sligo Bays and up to Slieve League in Donegal. Continue on to open up views across Co. Sligo, the Dartry Mountains and ‘Yeats Country’. Forest-road-climbs lead you into tight twisty singletrack with loads of fast descents, ups and downs, tight turns and technical rocky bits, guaranteed to leave you smiling! If you are new to MTB-ing, take your time, start with the blue trails but note that they are fast in places; the red trails are more challenging and are not for novices! The trails are waymarked in one direction; please follow the arrows.
The trails are developed in partnership with Sligo County Council and are funded by the Dept of Rural & Community Development and working in association with Coolaney Development Company and North-West MTB Club.
MTB Trail images
The climbs, the views, the descents - blue and red options - lots on offer - fast and fun!
Visitor Facilities on site
All visitor facilities are in Coolaney village and in nearby Sligo.
Trail map
Trail Description – Blue grade trail
This route starts with a first loop which is an open, flowing trail that constantly twists and turns and rises up and down with numerous tight, technical or challenging sections throughout.
There are two blue grade route options to choose from, 5km loop or 3km, with the latter giving easy access to repeat the final descending trails. To start, a long doubletrack climb gains elevation to bring you into the first of the singletrack trails; these sections are narrow, sometimes steep and up to 800mm in width, with variable surfaces including rock, roots, mud, loose stones and gravel that may become slippery when wet. The singletrack also crosses walking trails at a number of points so watch out for walkers here.
The route also uses sections of forest roads and you should expect to encounter vehicles and other forest users at any time. Please make sure your mountain bike is in good working order and that you have an appropriate level of fitness and skill level to undertake these trails. All riders should be appropriately dressed and wear a helmet at all times. Please ride with consideration for the many other forest users and control your speed.
Trail Information – Blue grade trail
Trail Name: Coolaney Mountain Bike Trail (Blue)
Start/Finish Point: Coolaney village
Short route: 3km with 70 meters climbing
Longer route: 5km with 100 meters climbing
Time: 45 minutes to 90 minutes
Degree of Difficulty: moderate
Attributes: Loop trail, two options
Trail Waymarking: Blue
Trail Description – Red grade trail
This is a challenging route throughout as the trails vary from fast and flowing to tight, technical and rocky, with numerous difficult sections along the route. The trail constantly twists and turns and rises up and down. This trail tests all a riders’ skills and abilities and is not for novice riders.
The route shares the same outward leg as the blue trail, climbing all the way to the ‘Two Way Junction’. Once here, the red trail bares right onto the open mountain, where there are two descending trails ‘Red 1’ and ‘Red 2’. To complete the route, bare left at the Two Way Junction, down a fast, flowing blue grade trail to the next node point, known as ‘The Hub’. There are two descending trail options from The Hub, ‘Red 3‘ and ‘Red 4’, both taking riders back to the trail head.
Over half of the loop is singletrack and these sections are narrow, sometimes steep and up to 800mm in width, with variable surfaces including rock, roots, mud, loose stones and gravel that may become slippery when wet. The singletrack also crosses walking trails at a number of points so watch out for walkers here. The remainder of the loop is on forest roads and you should expect to encounter vehicles and other forest users at any time on these parts of the loop.
The trail is quite exposed on the upper slopes and can be very windy in poor weather. On the top, visibility can be entirely lost in poor weather. Please make sure your mountain bike is in good working order and that you have an appropriate level of fitness and skill level to undertake these trails. All riders should be appropriately dressed and wear a helmet at all times. Please ride with consideration for the many other forest users and control your speed.
Trail Information – Red grade trail
Trail Name: Coolaney Mountain Bike Trail (Red)
Start/Finish Point: Coolaney village
Short route: 10km with 215 meters climbing (Red 1 and Red 4)
Longer route: 20km with 430 meters climbing (All red trails)
Time: 60 minutes to 120 minutes
Degree of Difficulty: Difficult/Severe
Attributes: Loop trail, multiple options
Trail Waymarking: Red
