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Latest forest information

  • During October, November and December we’ll be doing more maintenance work on the bike trails. Trails will mostly stay open with brief delays passing through work areas but some closures will be needed at times (details tbc). Please follow all safety signage and instructions from the trail crew. 

  • Tuesday 8 October: contractors will be on site working around the visitor hub and car parks installing signage structures. Please follow all safety signage and banks person instructions.

  • Saturday 12 October: the Trailfairies will be doing maintenance work on Berm Baby Berm. Trail will stay open but expect delays between ~0915 and ~1245. Details below. 

  • Works for the Glentress Masterplan will be taking place throughout 2024 and will cause some trail and facility disruption (details below). Please follow all signage and instructions from staff while visiting the forest. 

Further details about works at Glentress

About

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

Visit Scotland four star award     Green Tourism gold award

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.

Easy trail grade icon grade icon
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.

Easy trail grade icon grade icon
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

A trail notice is in effect

Look out for timber lorries loading at timber stacks. If you meet a lorry loading or moving, please wait until the operator has clearly signalled for you to pass. 

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.

Strenuous trail grade icon grade icon
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.

Moderate trail grade icon grade icon
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.

Strenuous trail grade icon grade icon
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

  • Timber lorries loading at timber stacks around post 14 (Monday - Friday) - please make sure operators have seen you and signalled for you to pass. Please follow safety signage on site.

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.

Strenuous trail grade icon grade icon
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

The 7Stanes logo. including the text "Mountain bike 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)

 

You can get an idea of some of the trails on offer by watching the amazing video from Street Pigeon MTB below.

Get involved

If you’d like to get involved in the mountain biking community, check out the Glentress Trailfairies.

All MTB network trails

All network trails are accessed by following the shared Multi-user Trail first, which is marked with a brown line on the map. 

 
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  fls web icon cycling 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  fls web icon cycling 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  fls web icon cycling 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 construction site at Buzzard's Nest.

  • On Saturday 12 October the Trailfairies will be doing maintenance work on Berm Baby Berm to improve drainage, zip and flow. The trail will remain open during the session – if out riding looking out for signage and the crew on the trail between ~0915 and ~1245. Please be ready to stop and walk through the work areas.  
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  fls web icon cycling red difficultExpect 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 for a rebuild 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  fls web icon cycling 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.

  • Look out for timber lorries loading at timber stacks at the 5 road junction between Blue Velvet exit and Soor Plooms entry (Monday - Friday). If you meet a lorry loading or manoeuvering, please wait until operator has clearly signalled for you to pass.
  • 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).

  • 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.
Mountain Biking

Taster Trails

Develop your skills on our Taster Trails before heading out on the main mountain bike routes. There are Blue (Moderate) Red (Difficult) and Black (Severe) graded Taster Trails. You can find them at the far end of the Multi-user Trail loop, to the east of the Gateway building.

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
Viewpoint
Mountain biking
Mountain biking
Wildlife hide
Wildlife hide
Walking
Walking
Treetop adventure
Treetop adventure
Picnic area
Picnic area
Toilets
Toilets
Parking (charge)
Parking (charge)
Visitor centre
Visitor centre
Easy-access facilities
Easy-access facilities
Cafe or refreshments
Cafe or refreshments
Bike hire
Bike hire
Shower
Shower

Opening hours

  • The Gateway building is open daily from 9am to 5pm. 
  • The Glentress Forest Cafe is open weekdays 9am to 5pm (last kitchen orders 4pm, lite bites served until closing) and weekends 9am to 6pm (last kitchen orders 5pm, lite bites served until closing). 
  • The Alpine Bikes shop is open daily 9am to 4.30pm. 

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.

Tweed Valley Car Park Pass - £90 per car and £135 per mini bus or coach
FLS National Car Park Pass - £100 per car and £150 per mini bus or coach

Valid at all Forestry and Land Scotland car parks except Tentsmuir.

FLS National Pass application form

More parking info

Accessibility

The logo for Euan's Guide, indicating that we're listed there, with disabled access reviews

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.

Get in touch

Have a question or suggestion for improvement?

Phone
0300 067 6900 (option 1)
More contact information

Nearby forests

Drooping conifer branch

Beautiful views of Tweed Valley and 2000 years of history

Facilities and activities
Ancient monument
Ancient monument
Horse riding
Horse riding
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Walking
Walking
Parking (charge)
Parking (charge)
Picnic area
Picnic area
Toilets
Toilets
Distance from 'Cardrona': 0.93 miles
Drooping conifer branch

Climb through rolling hillside forest for glorious valley views

Facilities and activities
Horse riding
Horse riding
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Walking
Walking
Parking
Parking
Distance from 'Cademuir': 2.17 miles
Drooping conifer branch

A forested climb to the site of an Iron Age hill fort

Facilities and activities
Ancient monument
Ancient monument
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Walking
Walking
Distance from 'Caberston Forest': 3.63 miles