Glentress Mountain Bike Trails

Mountain Biking Bliss: Exploring the Glentress Trails

Glentress trail centre is arguably the best MTB trail centre in Scotland with loads of trails at a variety of grades with a whole host of awards to its name.

Situated in the picturesque Tweed Valley Glentress is home to Green, Blue, Red and Black trails aswell as a Skills area and a freeride park with a state of the art visitor centre that has almost everything a mountain biker will ever require.

The Lower Green Route

Grade: Green - Easy (3.5km)
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.

The Upper Green Route

Grade: Green - Easy (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!

The Glentress Blue Route

Grade: Blue Moderate (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.

The Glentress Red Route

Grade: Red - Difficult (18.0km)
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.

The Glentress Black Route

Grade: Black - Severe (29km)
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.

Getting here

Peebles in the Scottish Borders is around 40km south of the city of Edinburgh. Glentress forest lies on the A72, 3.5km to the east of Peebles. The trail head is beside the turn off into the forest from the A72.

EH45 8NB is the nearest postcode.