Borders
Craik Forest
A quiet forestry network in the Borders near Hawick with a handful of marked forest-road loops across 25km. Not a purpose-built trail centre — a well-signed cycling forest for a peaceful day out well off the 7stanes tourist trail.
Quick facts
- Trails
- 25 km
- Parking
- free
- Postcode
- TD9 7PJ
- Mobile signal
- No signal in the deep forest. EE in Hawick (15km away).
- Best for
- XC riders wanting quiet forest miles away from the Tweed Valley crowds.
- Not for
- Riders wanting graded MTB singletrack — Craik is remote forest-road and walking-trail country, with ongoing felling operations affecting routes.
Trails open· Last checked 14 May 2026
Check operator alerts →Trails
- Blue
- Red
Facilities
- CafeHawick town (15km) — nothing on-site
- Bike wash
- Bike hire
- Bike shop
- Uplift service
- Skills area
- Pump track
- Toilets
- Showers
Our take
Craik is the Borders trail centre nobody visits, which is part of its appeal. The trails are mostly forest-road loops rather than singletrack, so it's more XC fitness than technical riding. But on a busy summer Sunday when Glentress is heaving, Craik is empty and surprisingly beautiful.
Insider tips
Bring everything — no facilities and no phone signal in much of the forest. Combine with a stop in Hawick on the way back.
Accommodation
Hawick (20 min) for accommodation.
Food
Nothing on site. Hawick has the full range.
When to ride
Drive times
- Glasgow2h 10m
- Edinburgh2h 30m
- Inverness5h 40m
- Aberdeen4h 45m
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:39
- Sunset
- 21:39
- Civil dawn
- 03:44
- Civil dusk
- 22:34
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
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