Innerleithen
COVID-19 update
Some FLS visitor centres are offering a reduced service, with walking and mountain bike trails remaining open, as are most toilets and car parks. Please check below for local updates on any closures.
We want to ensure your visit is an enjoyable and safe one.
Make sure you follow the Scottish Government’s FACTS advice – helping to protect yourself, your family and your local community, and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code helping to keep Scotland beautiful.
The best downhill and enduro mountain-biking in the area
A 7stanes destination, Innerleithen is renowned for its four downhill trails, all of them orange-graded Bike Park Extreme. There's also some serious cross-country action on the challenging red-graded Innerleithen XC trail.
Innerleithen mountain bike trails map (PDF 619KB)
Mountain biking trails
Brilliant uplift service at Innerleithen Trails! The uplift is currently unavailable due to COVID-19 restrictions. More info at: www.adrenalinuplift.co.uk.
Phytophthora Ramorum, a disease that kills larch trees, has reached 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 Innerleithen and other forests. Thank you. #keepitclean
Innerleithen XC
Not for the faint hearted, this route includes a leg-burning climb, some thrilling singletrack descents and optional black graded features.
You’re on single track right out of the car park, with a switchback climb through the forest and a lung-busting climb to the summit of Minch Moor ahead of you. It’s back to singletrack on the way down, with jumps, drop-offs and optional black-grade features.
Innerleithen Downhill
Some of the best downhill routes in the country.
The mix of 'natural' and machine-built routes drops steeply through the forest from the summit of Plora Rig.
All routes are graded 'extreme', with small, medium and large features. Full face helmet, gloves, body armour and a downhill specific bike are strongly recommended for all trails.
The four waymarked downhill tracks are:
- Make or Brake: 1.2 miles / 2km
- Matador: 1.2 miles / 1.9km
- Gold Run: 0.9 miles / 1.4km
- Cresta Run: 0.9 miles / 1.5km
- Double D (optional line): 0.4km
Activities
Walking
Walkers are welcome at Innerleithen, except on the mountain bike trails, where it’s unsafe to walk. We recommend walking the section of The Southern Upland Way, which passes through Traquair village and heads up on to Minch Moor.
Trails in Innerleithen:
The trails and facilities in Innerleithen make it a popular destination for mountain bikers, but there are plenty of other paths that cater for a quieter time in the forest. Find out more about how we’re working to create ideal environments for walking, mountain biking and horse riding in the Tweed Valley Forest Park.
Tweed Valley Zoning Plan (PDF 6MB)
Facilities & access
The nearest public toilets and places to eat are in Innerleithen.
Car parking information
The charges to park at Innerleithen are:
Payment options: Coin only
- £1.50 for up to 1 hour
- £4 for all day
- £14 for minibus or coach all day
Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates. Nearby car parks with free parking can be found in our local forest list without the £ symbol.
Annual parking pass available:
- £90 car, £135 mini-bus/coach (valid for 12 months)
- Available in advance by downloading the application form and emailing to the Regional Office or take your completed form to the Glentress Peel Cafe.
- Please read our Annual Pass terms and conditions before applying.
- Valid at the following sites: Glentress (all sites), Cardrona, Innerleithen
Blue badge holders park free. Please display your Blue Badge clearly.
Further information about parking
Bike uplift service
Maximise your time on the trails with Adrenalin Uplift. When available, this shuttlebus service runs every 15 minutes, carrying up to 64 riders and their bikes to the top of the hill.
Visit Adrenalin Uplift to book day, weekend and season passes.
Stay The Night
Motorhomes and campervans that are self-contained and have their own toilet facilities will be able to stay overnight at the Innerleithen car park from 26 April – 31 October 2021. This does not include overnight tent camping or car parking.
To help plan your stay, please see the details below:
- Height barrier – No
- Motorhome capacity of car park – 10
- Suitable for large vehicles/caravans – Yes
- Access notes – Easy access.
- Parking notes – Flat, gravel ground with potholes. Parking blocks recommended. Please leave a 4m gap between other motorhomes and park to rear of car park behind 7stanes trailhead. Site can flood after severe wet weather.
Please visit our Stay the Night page for full details, participating locations, best practice, and terms and conditions of use.
Getting here
From the main road through Innerleithen village, look for the road sign for '7stanes Trails' next to St James' Church. The car park is ½ mile along this road on the left.
Using SatNav?
EH44 6PW is the nearest postcode, a little to the south-west.
Public transport
Innerleithen village is well-served by buses. It's a ½ mile walk to the forest from the nearest bus stop. Plan your journey at Traveline Scotland.
Get in touch
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