Sometimes I ride my bike to nowhere, to see nothing, just so I can ride my bike
Anonymous

Cycling the Grand Canal is one of my favorites rides. The cycle paths along the canal guides you safely and easy from urban life to the rural areas outside Dublin. I passed Lucan when I was biking another route and decided to make a round trip that included the Grand Canal, the village Lucan and the Phoenix Park.

The Grand Canal Dock is an excellent place to start a bike tour in Dublin. The GPS tracks start by the Grand Canal Quay and follows the canal south to Ballymakaily (shortly after Grange Castle). From here you turn to Adamstown, crossing the railway and N4 and then follow the R120 where there are cycle paths almost the way to Lucan.

Lucan is – according to Wikipedia, a suburban town in South Dublin, Ireland. It is located 13 km from Dublin city centre and is situated on the River Liffey and the River Griffeen. The distance so far is approximately 18 km, so perhaps Lucan could be a pit-stop?

From Lucan you follow the River Liffey towards Dublin centre. This part of the ride is not particularly bike friendly since the R109 is rather winding and narrow. In addition there are rather large holes and old asphalt so it would be wise to plan the ride for a time when there is little traffic.

On the positive side you will end up at Wright Anglers Rest where the best fish & chips I’ve ever tasted is served.

You could follow R109 directly to Dublin but I would recommend that you ride through Phoenix Park. You enter the park following Knockmaroon Road. The ride through Phoenix Park continues on Furze Rd to Chesterfield Ave where you turn right. There you follow the avenue back to R109 and the River Liffey.

From there you will have to focus on the traffic even though there are dedicated bicycle lanes along the River Liffey. Take care and don’t “fight” with the buses or taxis!

Cross the River Liffey at the Samuel Beckett Bridge – a landmark you cannot miss. Then turn left and ride along Sir John Rogerson’s Quay to Forbess Street and you’re back where you started.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

• Stop and read the info-boards along the Grand Canal.
• Take a pit-stop in Lucan
• A Guinness at the Anglers Rest is a “must do”. If hungry, their Fish & Chips is high class.
• Look for the wildlife in the Phoenix Park

QR CODE AND ELEVATION PROFILE

THE BASICS

• Duration: 35 km
• Difficulty level: Easy
• GPS track: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/6622634

THE GREEN ROUTE TO LUCAN

The Green Route, an 8.5km pedestrian and cycle route along the Grand Canal. The Green Route, stretches from the 3^rdLock, Inchicore to the 12^th Lock, Lucan is mainly an off road, secure and safe alternative for commuters and leisure users.

The Green Route project was carried out using an inter-agency approach between ESB Networks, South Dublin County Council, Dublin City Council, and Waterways Ireland.

This is an alternative way to Lucan. You can enter the Green Route crossing the Grand Canal on the red bridge located before you reach Ballymakaily/Grange (R120). The red bridge is impossible to miss.

Taking this route you will pass Griffeen Valley Park. The park is one of the most important parks in the South Dublin County Council administrative area. Its existence is largely due to the vision of the elected members and officials of Dublin County Council who had the foresight to conserve the River Griffeen by assembling parcels of land on both sides of its banks and developing them as parkland for active and passive recreational purposes. This work has been greatly appreciated by the public who continuously express their support through their use of the park.