Stacks Mountains Gravel

Summary

Easy gravel ride with a section of road out-and-back. Start/end at the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee. Several forestry barriers to contend with but fast moving overall. Great pace to be had.

Meadowlands start

From the Meadowlands hotel, head north up the Oakpark Road. At the roundabout turn right up the hill past the college. Take the left after the college heading towards the mountains.

Keep an eye on the map as the next left turn can be passed easily. Once you take the turn you’ll encounter the major climb on this route. Following the road up to the next junction, take a right heading towards the wind turbines.

Gravel

As you reach the top of the climb there are two entrances to the wind farms. Take the one on the right and cross the barrier. Follow the gravel road up to the next gate and take the next left after the sub-station. Follow the track down the far side of the hill and up to the next barrier.

Directly opposite you across the road, follow the next track up the hill. Bear left and cross the next barrier. From here there is a nice fast descent on the gravel – great pace available here. Make no turns and you will end up at the next substation and barrier.

Optional add on

There is an option to add on another small loop. Cross the barrier and follow the road down the hill. Take the second forestry road. Cross the barrier and follow the track up and over the hill. Take a right at the junction and follow the trail down the hill. Be careful on this descent as the area is heavily used by forestry trucks and trailers are parked at the next junction. Take a right here and follow the track back out onto the road.

From here retrace your route across the wind farm and back to the top of the first road section (Tursillagh).

I usually take the road back to Leith Cross and then down the main Listowel – Tralee road back to the hotel. Again great pace to be had. The main road is busy so lights are a good idea.