Glentress Mountain Biking: Trails, Grades & Tips

If you ride mountain bikes in Scotland, you've heard of Glentress. Probably more than once. Sitting just outside Peebles in the Tweed Valley, it's the busiest and arguably best-loved trail centre in the country. Whether you're visiting the Scottish Borders for the first time or already staying in Newcastleton and fancy a day trip, Glentress deserves a spot on your riding list.

Getting there from Newcastleton takes roughly an hour by car, heading north through Hawick and across to Peebles. It's a beautiful drive through proper Borders countryside, and the trails waiting at the other end make the journey worthwhile.

What Makes Glentress Special?

Glentress is part of the 7Stanes network, a collection of seven purpose-built mountain biking centres scattered across southern Scotland. Of all seven sites, Glentress pulls the biggest crowds. There's good reason for that. The trail building here set the standard for UK centres when it first opened, and ongoing investment keeps things fresh. The forest sits on well-drained hillside above Peebles, giving you proper elevation to play with and views across the Tweed Valley that genuinely stop you mid-pedal.

Forestry and Land Scotland manage the site alongside a dedicated trail crew. The result is a trail network that flows beautifully, drains better than most, and caters to everyone from wobbly beginners to seasoned racers chasing Strava segments.

Trail Grades Explained

Glentress colour-codes its trails using the standard UK grading system. Here's what you're actually getting with each colour.

Green (Easy)

Smooth, wide forest tracks suitable for families and complete beginners. You won't find technical features here, just pleasant riding through the trees with gentle gradients. Perfect if you're bringing kids or haven't been on a bike in years. The green route loops through lower Glentress and gives you a taste of the forest without any intimidation.

Blue (Moderate)

This is where Glentress starts showing its character. Flowing singletrack weaves through the forest with moderate climbs and fun descents. You'll encounter some roots, the occasional rock garden, and bermed corners that reward commitment. Confident beginners and intermediates find the blue trails perfectly pitched. Expect to finish with a grin and tired legs.

Red (The Classic XC Loop)

The red route is the Glentress experience. An 18-kilometre cross-country loop that climbs high into the forest before rewarding you with technical descents, bermed switchbacks, tabletop jumps, and rock features. Technical sections demand decent bike handling, but nothing feels unfairly difficult if you're a competent rider. Most people complete it in 90 minutes to two hours, depending on fitness and how many photos they stop for. This is the trail everyone talks about, and it earns every bit of that reputation.

Black (Expert)

Steep, rocky, committed riding for experienced mountain bikers. The black trails at Glentress throw genuine technical challenges at you, including exposed rock slabs, tight switchbacks on steep gradients, and sections where picking the wrong line has consequences. Don't ride black unless you're comfortable on red-graded trails elsewhere. Seriously.

Freeride Park

Located near the hub building, the freeride area offers jumps, drops, and dirt features ranging from beginner-friendly tabletops to sizeable gap jumps. It's brilliant for progression sessions and mucking about between trail runs. You'll spot riders of every ability here, sessioning features and cheering each other on.

Facilities at the Hub

Glentress Hub sits at the trailhead and handles pretty much everything you need. The cafe serves genuinely good coffee, proper food, and the kind of cake that justifies an extra lap. A well-stocked bike shop sells spares, clothing, and accessories. Bike hire is available if you're travelling light or want to try something different. There are showers and changing facilities for post-ride cleanup, plus a bike wash station.

Parking fills up fast on weekends and school holidays. Spaces are pay-and-display, and by mid-morning on a sunny Saturday you might struggle. That brings me to probably the most useful advice I can offer.

Practical Tips

• Arrive early or go midweek. Weekend mornings before 9am give you quiet trails and guaranteed parking. Weekday riding is even better. Tuesday afternoons at Glentress feel like having your own private trail centre.
• Trails drain well, but winter has limits. The soil and trail surface handle rain better than most Scottish centres, though November through March brings properly muddy conditions on some sections. Full mudguards help.
• Uplift service runs occasionally. Check the Glentress social media pages for scheduled uplift days. Getting a van ride to the top means more descending and less grinding.
• Bring layers. You'll warm up on the climbs and cool rapidly on exposed descents. A packable waterproof saves the day more often than not.
• Book bike hire in advance during summer and holidays. Walk-in availability isn't guaranteed when visitor numbers peak.

Other 7Stanes Worth Riding

Glentress gets the headlines, but the wider 7Stanes network offers tremendous variety. If you're based in Newcastleton, you've got options closer to home that rival anything Glentress delivers.

Newcastleton's own 7Stanes trails sit right on your doorstep. Proper natural singletrack through Newcastleton Forest, quieter than Glentress, and with a character all its own. You genuinely don't need to drive an hour for world-class riding when trails like these start from the village. Check our complete 7Stanes guide for the full picture.

Beyond Newcastleton and Glentress, you've got Innerleithen for gravity-fed downhill runs, Ae Forest near Dumfries for fast flowing XC, Mabie for woodland singletrack, Kirroughtree for granite-based technical riding, and Dalbeattie for its famous hardrock trails. Each centre has a distinct personality. Riding all seven is a proper Scottish cycling pilgrimage.

Is the Drive from Newcastleton Worth It?

Honestly? Yes, at least once. Glentress earned its reputation for good reason, and the red trail is a genuinely brilliant ride. But don't make the mistake of thinking you need Glentress to get great riding during your stay. Newcastleton's own trails offer something Glentress can't: peace, quiet, and the feeling of having a forest to yourself. Ride both. Compare notes over a pint at the Grapes afterwards. That's the proper Borders biking experience.