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, 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.

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

Current work operations and status

Works for the Glentress Masterplan will be taking place throughout 2023 and will cause some trail and facility disruption. Please follow all signage and instructions from staff while visiting the forest.

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

Follow the multi-user path from the Gateway building to the start of the following trails. Distances and times shown for trails below are from the end of the multi-user path.

Glentress walking trail route card (PDF)

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.

½ miles / 0.9 km

Allow
¼ 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

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. Several kissing gates and narrow openings. Look out for vehicles and other users.

2 miles / 3.3 km

Allow
1 hour

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

Time Trail (closed)

A trail notice is in effect

• From 9 October the Time Trail is completely closed due to Forest Holidays development and tree felling operations along Janet's Brae. Work is anticipated to last until the end of January 2024. No through access over Janet's Brae between Peebles Hydro and Buzzard's Nest.

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.

2 ¼ miles / 3.8 km

Allow
1½ hours

More information

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.

Walking

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.

3 miles / 4.9 km

Allow
2 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

• From the 2 October: A diversion will run between Buzzard's Nest (point 9) and the new forest road (point 12). The diversion joins part of the yellow trail before cutting up towards point 12. The diversion will be signposted on the ground in both directions.

• The Tower Trail is diverted to allow Forest Holidays development. The trail is closed between post 9 and 11 on the forest roads above Buzzard’s Nest.
  The diversion is signposted on the ground. Glentress Walking Trail Route Card (PDF) shows the current Tower Trail 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.

5 ¾ miles / 9.3 km

Allow
4 hours

More information

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 route card (PDF)

Mountain Biking

The Lower Green Route

Grade – Green: Easy 2 ¼ miles / 3.5 km

An excellent beginner route through Glentress's oldest, tallest and most magnificent trees. This trail starts and finishes at the Glentress Gateway. The route has gentle gradients and mellow bends that are a perfect introduction to mountain biking.

Mountain Biking

The Upper Green Route (closed)

Grade – Green: Easy 2 ¾ miles / 4.5 km

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!

A trail notice is in effect

• This trail is closed due to storm damage. Tree felling operations are ongoing in this area. Janet's Brae road is closed (7 days/week) from Buzzard's Nest to the junction with Tweed Valley multiuser path for the tree felling work and Forest Holidays cable laying works until the end of January 2024.  Tweed Valley multi user path remains open.

Mountain Biking

The Glentress Blue Route (diverted)

Grade – Blue: Moderate 10 miles / 16.0 km

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 Gateway 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.

A trail notice is in effect

• Minor 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.

• Blue Velvet now finishes onto a new forest road approximately 2/3 the way along the original trail.  Look out for the new exit and short diversion to the start of Berm Baby Berm. The final 1/3 of Blue Velvet has been decommissioned for the Forest Holidays development. Longer term, Blue Velvet will get a new singletrack ending.   

• New entry to Berm Baby Berm opening mid December (weather permitting). In the meantime please follow the diversion via the original entrance (includes a short walk over uneven ground around the side of the work area) to then rejoin the trail.

• Falla Brae and Good Game (post 31 to 33) closed due to multiple storm damaged trees over trail. Diversion via forest road rejoins at exit of Good Game. Please go steady on the forest road descent and look out for construction vehicles on the road.

Mountain Biking

The Glentress Red Route (diverted)

Grade – Red: Difficult 11 ¼ miles / 18.0 km

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 Gateway and is recommended for experienced riders only.

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 now 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 (post 31 - 114) closed due to multiple storm damaged trees over trail. Diversion near exit of Tourist Trap (post 55) via Lower Green Route back to Visitor Centre.

 

Mountain Biking

The Glentress Black Route (diverted)

Grade – Black: Severe 18 miles / 29.0 km

A long, technical ride packed with epic climbs and thrilling descents that’ll make you smile from ear to ear, the Black Route is a physically demanding ride.

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, Super G, 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 start of Double X (post 92).

• Falla Brae (post 31 - 114) closed due to multiple storm damaged trees over trail. Diversion near exit of Tourist Trap (post 55) via Lower Green Route back to Visitor Centre.

Activities

Go Ape tree-top adventure

For a day to 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, 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

The Wild Watch Centre is currently closed due to development works. There is no public access to the Gateway Building.

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. Follow the Project's Facebook page at:www.facebook.com/tweedvalleyospreyproject

Glentress bees

Our bee observation area is now closed for the season due to construction starting in the area. Check back for updates. 

Facilities and access

Walking

Toilets

Mountain biking

Parking (charge)

Easy-access facilities

Treetop adventure

Cafe or refreshments

Wildlife hide

Visitor centre

Viewpoint

Bike hire

Shower

Picnic area

Opening hours

• The Gateway building is open daily from 9am to 4pm. The Peel car parks and Peel bridge remain closed while construction works continue around the visitor hub. 
• The Glentress Forest Cafe is open weekdays 9am to 4pm (last kitchen orders 3pm, lite bites served until closing) and weekends 9am to 5pm (last kitchen orders 4pm, 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

The car parks are no longer pay and display. Please pay before you leave at any of the pay stations within the car parks and outside the Gateway building. 

The charges to park at Glentress are:

• £3 for up to 1 hour
• £4 for up to 3 hours
• £6 for all day
• £24 for minibus or coach all day
• Blue badge holders park free. Please display your Blue Badge clearly.

Pay by card only at any of the six pay stations located around the visitor hub.   

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.

Blue Badge Holders:

In order for Blue Badge Holders to exit the new automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) barrier system for free (start date in 2023 to be confirmed), please complete and return the following registration form:

• Glentress Blue Badge registration form

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.