Glentress

Award-winning mountain biking and so much more

Glentress is rightly celebrated for some of the best mountain bike trails in the country, but that's just the beginning of the story.

Visit for walking, a Go Ape Treetop Challenge and magnificent views of the Tweed Valley. Explore our Wildlife Hub where you can watch our observation beehive, view our live osprey cams and learn more about other wildlife you may encounter in Glentress Forest. There's great coffee, food and cake in our buzzing café too.

Work is also underway on new trails and facilities as part of the Glentress Masterplan. 

Glentress Masterplan

The Glentress Masterplan is a strategy to deliver a sustainable future for the forest and aims to deliver a world class visitor experience. It will create new recreation opportunities and holiday accommodation which will benefit the local community, visitors from around the world, local businesses, and support regional tourism.

Find out more

While works progress at Glentress, we ask all visitors to take care, follow all safety signage, and follow instructions from staff and contractors around the forest.

Frequently asked questions

Walking trails

All trails are accessed by following the shared, Multi-user Trail first. 

The Multi-user Trail is marked with a brown line on the map and trail distances below include this Multi-user Trail section.

All trails cross or include forest roads, look out for vehicles and other users.

Glentress walking trail route card (PDF)

Walking

Multi-user Trail

Discover great views over the Tweed Valley on this accessible path around Glentress. The Multi-user Trail connects the Glentress Gateway to the café, bike shop, skills area, taster trails and the start of all walking and mountain biking routes.

Wide, firm gravel path with gentle slopes and various resting points. One section of minor road crossing with a fairly steep side slope. Moderate slope for access between Gateway and café/bike shop.

1 ¼ miles / 2.2 km

Walking

Ponds Trail

Stroll around the enchanted Glentress ponds, an oasis of ash, birch and pine that is home to herons, bats and red squirrels.

Firm gravel path with regular seats. Short moderate ramps with some loose stones.

1 ½ miles / 2.6 km

Allow 1 hour

More information

The ponds lie in a hollow where a grove of Douglas fir once stood. Some of the trees came down in a storm some 40 years ago, and the ponds are now a peaceful, sheltered corner of the forest. 

Walking

Time Trail

Get a glimpse of our Iron Age past on this delightful high level promenade above the Tweed Valley, with spectacular views over Peebles to the Caddon Hills.

Mostly firm gravel surface. Some sections of uneven earth and grass with exposed tree roots. Long moderate slopes with some steeper sections.

Please note, when accessed from Glentress Gateway, you should allow for an extra 3 hours to complete this trail.

2 ¼ miles / 3.8 km

Allow 1½ hours from Buzzard’s Nest

More information

Visit the fortified settlements at Janet's Brae and imagine how our ancestors would have lived in this area over 2000 years ago on this fascinating route through a beautiful and varied area of the forest.

Walking

Glen Trail

Discover the charms of Glentress Burn, passing its serene ponds before winding through the magnificent Douglas firs above.

Numerous short steep slopes with some loose gravel. Some narrow and uneven earth sections with exposed tree roots and some narrow openings.

2 ½ miles / 4.1 km

Allow 1 ½ hours

More information

The Douglas fir trees on ‘Dougie Bank’, just above the ponds, are nearly 100 years old. Some of the trees from this part of the forest now sail the high seas as masts on tall ships. Douglas fir from Glentress has also been used to build the café and toilet block at Glentress Peel.

Walking

Buzzard’s Nest Trail

A trail notice is in effect

• There is a slight diversion around the fenced off work site at Buzzard’s Nest. 

Explore the varied plantations of Glentress Forest, including characterful areas of Scots pine, Douglas fir and Norway spruce, and good views across the valley from the slopes of Cardie Hill.

Firm gravel and earth surface with loose and uneven sections. Long steep slopes for 400m. Includes some narrow openings and steps.

4 ¾ miles / 7.6 km

Allow 3 hours

More information

Along the way you’ll find stories about the foresters who’ve built Glentress, including the ‘Lumberjills’ – women who worked here during World War II.

Walking

Tower Trail (diverted)

A trail notice is in effect

• There is a diversion between posts 9 and 14, signposted on the ground, to allow for the Forest Holidays development. The Glentress Walking Trail Route Card (PDF) shows the current route.

Climb to the top of Glentress Forest and pass the Iron Age settlement at Shieldgreen Tower. Magnificent views over Peebles and Soonhope Burn. 

Rough earth and grass paths, often narrow. Several long and continuous steep slopes for over 500m. Some short muddy sections.

Please note, when accessed from Glentress Gateway, you should allow for an extra 3 hours to complete this trail.

9 miles / 14.3 km

Allow 6 hours from Buzzard's Nest

More information

This trail takes you through remoter, mature woodland to some fine viewpoints to the north. You’ll often see buzzards and roe deer along the way.

Mountain biking trails

Glentress is one of the world class 7stanes mountain bike venues. It features a wide range of trails for beginners and experts alike.

Glentress 7stanes route card (PDF)

Mountain Biking

Lower Green Route

Grade – Green: Easy 2 ¼ miles / 3.5 km

Is this trail for you? Find the right grade for your abilities

Grade - Green: Easy  
Expect relatively flat, wide, and smooth trails. Gentle climbs, descents, rollers and berms, with easy to avoid features such as rocks and potholes. Surface might be loose, uneven or muddy at times.

An excellent introduction to mountain biking. The route heads out on the Multi-user Trail into the forest before passing through some of Glentress’s oldest, tallest and most magnificent trees. After The Admiral, return to the Glentress Gateway on the Multi-user Trail then Apple Peel to finish.

Mountain Biking

Upper Green Route (closed)

Grade – Green: Easy 2 ¾ miles / 4.5 km

Is this trail for you? Find the right grade for your abilities

Grade - Green: Easy  
Expect relatively flat, wide, and smooth trails. Gentle climbs, descents, rollers and berms, with easy to avoid features such as rocks and potholes. Surface might be loose, uneven or muddy at times.

A fabulous trail that provides stunning views of Peebles, the Tweed Valley and the surrounding hills. This purpose-built singletrack route starts from Buzzard's Nest, which is sign-posted from the forest entrance. It’s a fair old pedal up from the bottom of the forest (only 2km but lots of climbing) but the views are totally worth it!

A trail notice is in effect

• This trail is closed due to storm damage. 

Mountain Biking

Glentress Blue Route (diverted)

Grade – Blue: Moderate 10 miles / 16.0 km

Is this trail for you? Find the right grade for your abilities

Grade – Blue: Moderate  
Expect a mixture of climbs and descents with moderate gradients, technical features like tree roots and rock steps; jumps and berms. Rollable features at controlled speed. Variable surfaces.

The Blue Route is big fun for all – from novices taking the next step up from green routes to experienced riders. This route can be split into various loops.

Start at the trailhead at Glentress Gateway and climb as far as the Buzzard’s Nest. Then either descend the bottom loop or continue to include the upper loop too. So many highlights, including Berm Baby Berm, Blue Velvet and Good Game. Add on the new descents – Harry’s Blue and Turn and Burn – for a thrilling flow trail finish. If you’ve got a mixed ability party, this is a great choice for the whole team.

A trail notice is in effect

• Short diversion at the exit of Cardie Hill Climb (post 10 to post 11) to bypass around the Forest Holidays site at Buzzard's Nest.

Mountain Biking

Glentress Red Route (diverted)

Grade – Red: Difficult 11 ¼ miles / 18.0 km

Is this trail for you? Find the right grade for your abilities

Grade – Red: Difficult  Expect a mixture of steep climbs, descents and / or avoidable features. Larger jumps, berms and rollable features at controlled speed. Technical features such as tree roots, drop-offs and large rocks. Very variable surfaces.

This world famous route is for experienced riders and it's sure to put a huge grin on your face. It has everything - big climbs, fabulous views, fast flowing descents and a fantastic blend of trail styles.  

There are various options to finish: choose The Pie Run (shortcut) or Matrix and Lombard Street for the classic, more natural feeling Red Route return via Magic Mushroom and Falla Brae. Or choose Twitcher and Smells Like Tweed Spirit for an incredible bike park style flow trail finale.

A trail notice is in effect

• Route is diverted at the exit of Cardie Hill Climb (post 10), rejoining at the exit of Cool Runnings (post 12). The track up the side of Berm Baby Berm is closed for Forest Holidays development works.

• On Magic Mushroom, the first boardwalk is closed with a short diversion to bypass.
   

• Falla Brae is closed at post 32 due to multiple storm damaged trees over the next part of the trail. Please follow the diversion via Good Game and the Blue Route back to the car parks.

 

Mountain Biking

Glentress Black Route (diverted)

Grade – Black: Severe 18 miles / 29.0 km

Is this trail for you? Find the right grade for your abilities

Grade – Black: Severe  
Expect a long and steep climbs, descents, and jumps. Numerous hazards including drop-offs and severe features. Rapid rate of surface change. Commitment required.

A long, technical ride for expert riders that takes you into the wilds of Glentress with epic climbs and thrilling descents. Return via the more natural Double X, Head Over Heels and Wormhole trails to link up with the end of the classic Red Route or via Twitcher and Castle Black for a thrilling, full on bike park style flow trail finish.

A trail notice is in effect

• Route diverted at exit of Cardie Hill Climb (post 10) past exit of Cool Runnings, then up the old Pennels Vennel trail (reopened as a climb) to post 27 then via Blue Velvet and new forest road to Soor Plooms. Look out for walkers using the Pennels Vennel trail in both directions - it's also being used as a diversion on the Tower Trail Walk.

• Route closed at post 73 on Carl's Lane with diversion (via Spooky Wood, Mud and Roots, forest road and Mild Peril) rejoining halfway down Deliverance. Sections closed long term due to storm damage are Boundary Trail and the first half of Deliverance. 

• Upper part of Redemption Climb (post 87 - 90) closed due to multiple storm damaged trees over trail. Diversion via Escape Route to post 45 then forest road climb, ending at the start of Double X (post 92).
  
  
• On Magic Mushroom, the first boardwalk is closed with a short diversion to bypass.
   
• Falla Brae is closed at post 32 due to multiple storm damaged trees over the next part of the trail. Please follow the diversion via Good Game and the Blue Route back to the Visitor Centre.

Activities

Go Ape Treetop Challenge

Boasting some of the longest and highest zip wires in Scotland, Go Ape Glentress is in a league of its own. Treetop Challenge is a 2-3 hour experience and is a great outdoor activity for friends and older families alike. Scramble up rope ladders, tackle tree top obstacles and fly down super-speedy ziplines. 

Tweed Valley Osprey Project

Since the 1990s, ospreys have been coming to the Tweed Valley to breed. The Tweed Valley Osprey Project works to make sure they’re protected and can find good places to nest. In the Glentress Wildlife Hub you can learn more about these fascinating raptors. Follow the project's Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/tweedvalleyospreyproject

Glentress bees

Each summer, as part of a voluntary partnership, we are kindly loaned a colony of Scottish black bees by a keeper in the local area. During this time, you can visit them and learn more about bees at the Glentress Wildlife Hub.

Keep it clean

Phytophthora Ramorum, a disease that kills larch trees, has reached nearby Innerleithen’s Traquair Forest. Please help slow the spread of the disease by making sure your bikes, shoes, kit, dogs, horses, buggies etc., are all clean before visiting the Glentress and other forests. Our bikewash in the main car park is £1 (contactless payment only) - please help by cleaning your bike after your ride (and before, if required). Thank you. #keepitclean

Facilities and access

Viewpoint

Mountain biking

Wildlife hide

Walking

Treetop adventure

Picnic area

Toilets

Parking (charge)

Visitor centre

Easy-access facilities

Cafe or refreshments

Bike hire

Shower

Opening hours

• The Gateway building is open daily from 9am to 4pm. 

• The Glentress Forest Café is open 7 days per week serving delicious coffee, energy boosting meals and tasty treats. For up to date opening times, please visit Glentress Forest Cafe.

• The Alpine Bikes shop is open daily 9am to 4pm. 

Dogs are welcome in the visitor centre and café. There's water and sheltered tie-up points outside the café.

Car parking information

An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) car parking system is now in place at Glentress.

When you enter our car park, the camera will read your vehicle registration number and the entry barrier will raise to let you through.

The charges to park at Glentress are:

• Free for up to 30 minutes (the exit barrier will raise automatically)
• £3 for up to 1 hour
• £4 for up to 3 hours
• £6 for all day
• £24 for minibus or coach all day

The first 30 minutes of parking are free – and the exit barrier will raise automatically for you if you have stayed for less than 30 minutes.

If you are an annual parking pass holder, the exit barriers will raise automatically for you.

If you have stayed longer than 30 minutes, and are not an annual parking pass holder,  please pay by card before you leave at any of the pay machines located in the car parks and outside the Gateway building. Please leave within 20 minutes of paying.

If the exit barrier does not raise, please press the ‘help’ button and someone will assist you.

Blue Badge holders

Blue Badge holders park for free. You can either:

• Have your vehicle registration added to our system (using the form below) so that it will recognise your car and allow you to come and go for free whenever you visit
• Or enter the last 7 digits of your Blue Badge number at the pay stations before you exit the car park

Glentress Blue Badge registration form

Annual parking pass available:

Available in advance by downloading the application form and emailing to the Regional Office.  Please read our Annual Pass terms and conditions (PDF) before applying.

More parking info

Accessibility

Getting here

The turn-off for Glentress is well signposted on the north side of the A72 between Peebles and Innerleithen.

Using SatNav?

EH45 8NB is the nearest postcode.