The River Dodder Trail

Where The River Dodder Trail

What The 5km of the Dodder Trail, which runs from Bushy Park in Terenure to Clonskeagh, is easy to access but also a great nature escape within the city. You will spot ducks, swans and herons here regularly, and if you're lucky you might see an otter or the blue flash of a kingfisher zipping by. This route brings you through Bushy Park at the start and on through Orwell Park and Dartry Park too. Following the Dodder's course, you'll pass weirs and small rapids, and travel through an often-lush landscape of weeping willows that dip into the water. There is plenty of evidence of old mills and industrialisation too. Largely traffic-free, although you will occasionally have to cross roads, this route is buggy- and bike-friendly once you've crossed the stepping-stones in Bushy Park. If you want to double the length of the route, just turn back to where you started.

Getting there Bushy Park is on Templeogue Road in Terenure, Dublin 6.

Level Easy

Length/Time 5km/1 hour

Pack You won't need a map because the route follows the river, but there are tempting green spaces along the route to kick a ball around.