Glentress
Get active in Glentress
Get active in Glentress: Visit Glentress for walking, mountain biking, tree-top fun and magnificent views of the Tweed Valley. It’s a 7stanes mountain biking centre, with award-winning world-class trails. There's great coffee, food and cake in our café, plus bike hire on site. Or visit our Wildlife Room where you can watch our observation beehive, view our live osprey cams and learn more about the wildlife you may encounter in Glentress Forest.
Our Tweed Valley Forest Park Map and Trail Guide (PDF 3.8MB) will help you explore.
Notices
- Our bees have gone on holiday for the winter but will return in the spring once temperatures get warmer. You can still read all about the bees, ospreys as well as other birds and wildlife in the comfort of our Wild Watch Room at the Gateway building. Collect a free activity booklet and pencils when you visit!
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Opening hours
The Gateway Building is open daily between 9am and 5pm.
The café is open between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday (last food orders 3:30pm) and between 9am and 5pm Saturday and Sunday (last food orders 4pm).
The Alpine Bikes shop is open daily between 9am and 5pm.
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.
Annual parking permits are also available. Permits run from 1 January until 31 December 2019 and cost £90 per car or £135 per minibus. Phone us on 0300 067 6900 or email dumfriesborders@forestry.gsi.gov.uk for further details.
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.
- Changing rooms, lockers and showers can be found in the Gateway Building. Lockers cost £1. Showers accept £1 or 20p coins.
Accessibility information

This visitor centre has additional accessibility advice to help you plan your trip.
Click the button for more information from DisabledGO.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome in the visitor centre and café. There's water and sheltered tie-up points outside the café.
Award winning
Glentress is a four star visitor attraction and has a gold award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
Walking trails

Accessibility information
The Ponds Trail has extra accessibility advice. Visit DisabledGO for more info.
Notices
- A section of the Tower Trail from the Buzzards Nest car park to post 14 will be closed and diverted from Mon 18 – Fri 22 Feb, then Mon 25 – Tue 26 Feb due to forest road resurfacing works. A diversion will be in place. Timings may change – see on site signage for latest.
- A section of the Time Trail (Post 9 – 11) to/from Buzzards Nest car park will be closed on Mon 25 – Tue 26 Feb for forest road resurfacing works. A diversion will be in place. Timings may change – see onsite signage for latest.
- Look out for large numbers of runners in the forest on 23 and 24 Feb for the Glentress Trail Run races.
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.

½ miles / 0.9 km 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.

2 miles / 3.3 km 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.

2 ¼ miles / 3.8 km 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.

3 miles / 4.9 km 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.

5 ¾ miles / 9.3 km Allow 4 hours
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.
Cycling trails
Mountain biking trails
Glentress is one of the 7stanes mountain biking centres.
The Glentress 7stanes trail map (PDF 826KB) shows the trails.
Trail update (15 February) Most trails are open. Some closures and diversions for forest road resurfacing works (NB. timings may change):
- Uppermost loop (inc. Betty Blue) of Blue MTB Route closed on Thu 14 – Fri 15 Feb for forest road resurfacing work between post 21 and post 24. Diversion at post 25 back along Blue Return Trail. Closure may need to be extended over weekend and into next week depending on progress of works. Short delays possible crossing road at exit of Super G into Hit Squad Hill (Post 44) on Red mtb Route on Thu 14 and Fri 15 Feb due to forest road resurfacing work here. Please follow signage and bankspersons/ operators instructions. Thank you.
- From Mon 18 to Fri 22 Feb the Upper half of the Blue MTB Route (from Buzzards Nest upwards) will be closed for forest road resurfacing works. Berm Baby Berm will stay open though to ride but the only way to access it will be up the steep track to the RH side of the Freeride Park (as looking up the hill).
- From Mon 18 to Fri 22 Feb the Red MTB Route will be diverted at post 36 via ‘Mast road’ climb, rejoining route at exit of Spookywood Climb (post 39). Sections of Red closed are Cool Runnings through to Spookywood Climb, for forest road resurfacing works.
- Black MTB Route: Open, except on Sat 23 and Sun 24 Feb: Soor Plooms, Goat Track, Tower Ride, Kipps, Britney Spears and Mustard Snake sections (Post 103 -100) will be closed for Glentress Trail Run races. Diversion via ‘Mast road’. Firetower and Ho Chi Min unwaymarked trails also closed for races and no access possible to Zorro unwaymarked trail.
- No other MTB trails closed for run races but the forest will be very busy with runners on 23 and 24 Feb!
- The Boardwalk near the end of Magic Mushroom on the Red Mountain Bike Route is closed until the end of March. Look out for a tiny diversion just before the boardwalks, re-joining the trail just after.
- 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.
More information...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
Green: Easy -
2.2 miles / 3.5 km
An excellent beginner route through Glentress's oldest, tallest and most magnificant trees.
More information...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
Green: Easy -
2.8 miles / 4.5 km
A fabulous trail that provides stunning views of Peebles, the Tweed Valley and the surrounding hills.
More information...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
Blue: Moderate -
10.0 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.
More information...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
Red: Difficult -
11.2 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.
More information...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
Black: Severe -
18.1 miles / 29.0 km
A long, technical ride that includes epic climbing and thrilling descents.
More information...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
Orange: Extreme -
0.9 miles / 1.4 km
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.
More information...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
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.
Opening times
Until 26th March: Saturdays & Sundays only
From 1st to 23rd April: everyday
From 28th April to 11th July: Friday to Tuesday only
From 14th July to 10th Oct: everyday
From 13th Oct to 29th Oct: Friday to Tuesday only
From 4th Nov to 3rd Dec: Saturdays & Sundays only
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 you can see live footage of our birds.
Contact: Dumfries and Borders Forest District
Address: Ae Village, Parkgate, Dumfries
Postcode: DG1 1QB
Telephone: 0300 067 6900
How to get here
The turn-off for Glentress is well signposted on the north side of the A72 between Peebles and Innerleithen.
Using SatNav?
Nearest postcode: EH45 8NB
Public transport
Buses to Melrose pass the forest entrance. Check Traveline Scotland for timetables and fares.
Share your experience
For questions and complaints, please contact us directly.
Tweed Valley Forest Park
Where we are...
Find a Forest

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