Coillte and Cycling Ireland have announced a new pilot programme that allows a limited number of local mountain bike clubs to create and manage MTB trails on designated Coillte land. This marks a notable shift in how trails might be built and maintained across Ireland, with the initiative focused on club-led access and sustainability.
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Club MTB Trails Pilot
The Club Mountain Bike (MTB) Trails Pilot will enable select Cycling Ireland-affiliated clubs to develop, manage, and maintain dedicated MTB trail networks. These trails will be:
- Located on designated Coillte forest land
- Accessible only to Cycling Ireland members
- Insured through Cycling Ireland
This is not a public trail programme. Non-members will not be permitted to use the trails and will not be covered under insurance policies.
Only a limited number of clubs will be selected for the initial phase, with a full review planned after one year. Interested clubs are encouraged to register their interest by emailing events@cyclingireland.ie.
Gravel Cycling Pilot
Alongside the MTB trail initiative, Coillte and Cycling Ireland are also launching a Gravel Cycling Pilot. This will see a series of gravel events hosted over the next two years on Coillte’s forest road network.
The pilot aims to:
- Test a sustainable model for future gravel cycling events
- Deliver high-quality experiences for Cycling Ireland members
- Ensure safe coordination with ongoing forest operations and other public access
All gravel events will require formal approval by Cycling Ireland and will be licensed by Coillte. Further details will be shared on Cycling Ireland’s website in the coming weeks.
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We’d love to hear from Irish clubs, riders, and advocates. What do you think of this club-led model for MTB access?
About Coillte
Coillte is Ireland’s state-owned forestry company, responsible for managing over 440,000 hectares of land—about 7% of the country’s total area. While its primary focus is sustainable forestry, Coillte also plays a significant role in outdoor recreation, providing access to a vast network of trails, forests, and upland areas. Many of Ireland’s most popular mountain bike trail centres, such as Ballinastoe, Ballyhoura, and Derroura, are located on Coillte-managed land.
You can find the full press release detailing the new initiatives by Coillte and Cycling Ireland here:
👉 Coillte and Cycling Ireland To Launch Gravel Cycling Pilot and New Club MTB Trails Initiative
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