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Glentress Forest

By Peebles EH45 8NB
Tel: 01750 721120
Web: www.forestry.gov.uk
Email: alex.maclennan@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

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The No. 1 Visitor Attraction in the Scottish Borders

Located two miles east of Peebles on the A72 towards Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders, the Glentress Forestry Commission woodland attracts over 130,000 visitors each year and boasts some of the top mountain bike routes in Great Britain. Considered by one biking journalist as 'the best dedicated mountain bike centre in Britain', not only does Glentress have killer trails but it also caters for beginners and intermediates too, plus it is suitable for year round use (one of the requirements of the Forestry Commission was that not only should they be rideable in all weather, they should also have a working life of 20-25 years for conservation reasons). Special mention needs to go the Helly Hansen V Trail which is a 19-mile monster of a ride with everything from killer climbs, rocky chutes, drop offs, technical singletrack and blindingly fast descents with berms to whip you round corners.

The black route is the longest route that skirts the perimeter of the forest and takes you up to the highest point called Dunslair Heights. It is mostly technical single track with long climbs and descents that test both skill and stamina.

The red route is not quite as long or technical as the black, but it is still an excellent route with good viewpoints, fast single track and testing climbs.

The blue route is excellent for beginners or as a warm up for those going on to bigger things. Again it is mostly on single track, which is easy enough to build confidence but testing enough to make you want more.

As well as some fantastic routes, there's also a café called Hub in the Forest with route maps, bike hire/spares/wash and the chance to take it easy after a hard day's biking. Guided tours are also available.

More photographs of Glentress Forest

Downhill	Skills circuit
Getting ready	Off road
End of a long day