Glentress
Glentress Forest Notices
COVID-19 has changed lots of things we do. And as we re-open the majority of our facilities and welcome more of you back in Phase 3, we need your help to do it safely. Please check what’s open before you travel; enjoy your visit safely by following NHS and Scottish Government guidance; take your litter home with you; and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
At this location:
- The car park is open and normal charges (if any) now apply.
- Toilets are open.
- All mountain biking trails are open.
- The visitor centre is open.
Please bear with us and check back regularly for updates. You can also find more information by visiting our COVID-19 page and our FAQs.
- While the toilets at the Gateway Building are now open, the portaloos at Buzzards Nest remain closed.
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, tree-top adventure and magnificent views of the Tweed Valley. Explore our Wildlife Room 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.
Guide map to Tweed Valley Forest Park (PDF 3.8MB)
Walking trails
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. Includes a wide kissing gate and bridge, and a narrow 0.85m opening.
Allow ¼ hour
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. There are ten brass rubbings of forest animals and birds along the way, ideal for a family activity.
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. A short flight of steps, and several kissing gates and narrow openings.
Allow 1 hour
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.
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.
Allow 1½ hours
Starting from the Buzzard’s Nest car park, 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.
Buzzard’s Nest Trail
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 kissing gates, narrow openings and some steps. Look out for vehicles and other users.
Allow 2 hours
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.
Tower Trail
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.
Allow 4 hours
On Saturday 26 August expect mountain bikers crossing the Tower Trail due to the Peebles CC Youth Stage Race. Please look out for signs and follow Marshal’s advice.Starting from the Buzzard’s Nest car park, 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 Mountain Biking Trail Map (PDF 826KB)
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 Peel car park is FREE - please could you help by cleaning your bike after your ride (and before if required) Thank you. #keepitclean
Uplift to the Buzzards Nest car park and shuttles around the Tweed Valley available on weekends with Adrenalin Uplift. More info and to book here.
Get involved
If you’d like to get involved in the mountain biking community, check out the Glentress Trailfairies and the Tweed Valley Bike Patrol.
Glentress Skills Area
Close to Buzzards Nest car park you'll find the skills area. Offering green, blue, red graded trails to help you choose the right trail for you.
A place to practise and perfect your technique, suitable for kids, beginners or those looking for a refresher. Choose from the Blue or Green Loops, or the Red Trail to get warmed up.
Note: The skills area has undergone a makeover, with new features to help make it more attractive to families, kids and beginners. There are now some differences between the grading of the loops in the Skills Area 'on the ground' and what's detailed on the current 7stanes trail map. This will be updated soon.
The Lower Green Route
An excellent beginner route through Glentress's oldest, tallest and most magnificant trees.
This trail starts and finishes at the Glentress Peel Visitor Centre. The route has gentle gradients and mellow bends that are a perfect introduction to mountain biking.
The Upper Green Route
A fabulous trail that provides stunning views of Peebles, the Tweed Valley and the surrounding hills.
This purpose-built singletrack route starts from the Buzzards Nest Car Park, which is sign-posted from the forest entrance. It’s a fair old pedal up to the car park from the bottom of the forest (only 2km, but lots of climbing) so driving up is advised unless you’re feeling really fit!
The Glentress Blue Route
A hidden gem that's big fun for all - from novices taking the next step up from green routes, to experienced riders. There are options along the way for earlier finishes or you can go for the full whack.
This route is split into a lower loop and upper loop – each 5 miles / 8km long. Start at the trailhead at Glentress Peel and climb as far as the Buzzards Nest. Then either descend on the bottom loop or continue on, to include the upper loop too. So many highlights, including Berm Baby Berm, Blue Velvet, Good Game. It’s all good. If you’ve got a mixed ability party, this is a great choice for the whole team.
The Glentress Red Route
This world famous route is sure to put a huge grin on your face with its technical climbs, fabulous views, fast flowing descents, jumps and berms.
The Red Route delivers some of the best riding in the country, including the legendary 'Spooky Wood' - a stunning 1.5km singletrack descent with sweeping bermed bends. The route's best ridden from the trailhead at Glentress Peel and is recommended for experienced riders only.
The Glentress Black Route
A long, technical ride that includes epic climbing and thrilling descents.
Packed with epic climbs and nail-biting descents that’ll make you smile from ear to ear, the Black Route is a physically demanding ride.
Glentress Freeride Park
Packed full of advanced level features, the Freeride Park is an ideal spot for riders looking to push their skill levels, style it up, learn new tricks or just hang out and ride with friends. It's located right next to the Buzzards Nest Car Park.
Check out the range of features big and small, which are perfect for practising your bike skills on. Whether you’re a novice freerider or a seasoned pro, there are areas built to suit all levels of experience. Read the onsite info panels before you jump on your bike.
Activities
Go Ape tree-top adventure
For a day you’ll remember, try the tree-top course at Go Ape. Climb rope ladders up into the branches and experience the thrills of trekking from tree to tree, some 40 feet above the forest floor! There’s a really long zip wire to finish, whizzing high over the ponds in the valley.
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 Tweed Valley Wild Watch centre view a summary of the 2019 nest footage through a short presentation video created by one of the volunteers. Up to date information from the various migration journeys can be found at tweedvalleyospreys.com.
Glentress bees
It’s nearing the end of season now for Pinky and her bees. Why not come down and see them one last time before they head away on their winter hols.
Facilities & access
Opening hours
- The Gateway Building is open daily from 9am - 5.30pm.
- The Peel café is open daily: 9am - 5pm (last food orders 4:30pm).
- The Alpine Bikes shop is open daily: 9am - 5pm. Bike Hire from 9am - 4pm.
Car parking charges
- £2 for up to 1 hour
- £3.50 for up to 3 hours
- £5 for full day
- £20 for minibus and coach all day
We strongly recommend bringing coins for parking machines. Payment by card available at Peel and Buzzard’s Nest car parks only.
Annual Parking Permits valid in Glentress, Cardrona and Innerleithen for 2020 are now on sale. They cost £90 for a car or £135 for a minibus and are valid till the end of the calendar year.
For further information please contact the Ae Office, phone 0131 370 5500 or email enquiries.south@forestryandland.gov.scot.
Facilities for cyclists
- Bikes can be hired from the Alpine Bikes shop onsite. Book your bike online before you visit.
- Bike wash facilities can be found in the lower car park - currently unavailable.
- Changing rooms, lockers and showers can be found in the Gateway Building. Lockers cost £1. Showers accept £1 or 20p coins - currently unavailable.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome in the visitor centre and café. There's water and sheltered tie-up points outside the café.
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.
Public transport
Local bus services, including some from Edinburgh, pass the forest entrance. Plan your journey at Traveline Scotland.
Get in touch
Have a question or suggestion for improvement?