The best cycling routes around South Dublin

A quiet, car-free gravel path along the east bank of the Lower Reservoir, where the water comes almost up to the path and the valley opens wide to the north. This section feels quieter and more remote than the west side: less traffic, more nature, and a clear view of the long axis of the Glenasmole valley. The slopes on the other side form a beautiful backdrop of pine forest and open rocky sections. The path is flat, even, and ideal as a connecting piece between the dam and the southern valley, or as a quiet passage within the larger Bohernabreena circuit.

A small, narrow bridge on the north bank of the Upper Reservoir, precisely where the car-free shore path makes a short crossing. From the bridge, you have a clear view of the Valve Tower, which stands like a stone watchtower above the water and marks the historic Glenasmole water management system. The view combines open water, the tower, the long valley axis, and the steeper slopes on the east side. It is a quiet, photogenic spot and a natural anchor point on the shore path around the Upper Reservoir.

Bohernabreena Waterworks forms the historical heart of the waterworks connecting the Upper and Lower Reservoirs. The complex is located on the north side of the Upper Reservoir and consists of the characteristic Valve Tower, the supply channels, and the old infrastructure that regulates the water flow towards Dublin. From the paths around the lake, you regularly get views of the tower and the waterworks, making this point a recognizable landmark within the Glenasmole Valley.

The Upper Reservoir is the highest lake in the Glenasmole valley and feels a lot wilder and more remote than its lower neighbour. At this point on the south-eastern shore, you are riding deep into the heart of the catchment area, where the wooded slopes of the Dublin Mountains seem to drop straight into the deep, dark water.

Car-free path along the Lower Reservoir in the Glenasmole Valley, with views of water, forest, and the first ridges of the Dublin Mountains. Quiet, wide, and ideal as a transition between the flat valley section and the climb to Hellfire/Massey’s Wood. A characteristic and scenically strong section of the Dublin Mountain Way.

This point marks the transition from the lower valley to the impressive basin of the lower reservoir. From here you have a wide view over the water surface, which is bordered by dense forests and the rising flanks of the Dublin Mountains. It is a strategic point on the route where the paved path leads you deeper into nature.

Large white steel cross structure from 1979, erected for the historic visit of Pope John Paul II, which brought over 1.25 million people to Phoenix Park. The cross stands on a slight hill in the open grassland of Fifteen Acres and is visible from afar within the park. The site has a quiet, open atmosphere and forms a striking landmark in the middle of the vast park landscape. In 2018, a papal mass was held here again, this time by Pope Francis.

A modern cable-stayed bridge from 2009, designed by Santiago Calatrava, recognizable by its large white arch and 31 cables that together evoke the shape of an Irish harp. The bridge connects Sir John Rogerson’s Quay with Guild Street in the Docklands and can rotate up to 90° to allow ships to pass. It is one of the most photogenic spots along the Liffey, especially in the evening light with its reflections on the water.