Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking in Tweed Valley
The best mountain biking in Scotland — arguably in the UK
Overview
The Tweed Valley in the Scottish Borders is home to Glentress and Innerleithen — together arguably the best trail centre pairing in the UK. Glentress has the best skills loop in Britain and graded trails from green to orange. Innerleithen is steeper, more technical and gravity-focused, with uplift available. The combined 100+ kilometres of singletrack are 5 minutes apart on the B7062.
If you only ride one MTB destination in Scotland, make it the Tweed Valley. The combination of Glentress (the best trail progression in the country) and Innerleithen (steep, physical, gravity-focused) covers every rider from first-timer to elite. Peebles is a proper town with good post-ride food and accommodation — this is a complete weekend package rather than just a trail day.
Grades available
Signature trails
Osprey
redGlentress's signature red — 22km of sustained singletrack on the Glentress hillside. Excellent natural trail with proper climbs, fast descents and technical sections that reward commitment. The benchmark Scottish red circuit.
Caddon Bank
blackInnerleithen's most infamous descent — steep, committed, rooty and sustained. One of the original 7stanes black runs and still one of the best. Requires genuine skill and confidence to ride well.
Traquair Skills Loops
greenGlentress has the best skills loop complex in Scotland — green through to blue/red entry sections designed for learning technique. Excellent for beginners and coaching sessions, with safe features that teach real skills.
Trail centres in Tweed Valley
Best for
- All abilities
- Skills progression
- Gravity riding
- Winter riding
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:22
- Sunset
- 20:57
- Civil dawn
- 04:37
- Civil dusk
- 21:42
NOAA Solar Calculator · 5 May 2026
Frequently asked questions
- Is Glentress or Innerleithen better?
- They suit different riders. Glentress has better trail variety, a proper skills area, and the best facilities — ideal for progression and first visits. Innerleithen is steeper, more physical, and gravity-oriented with uplift available — better for riders who want downhill-focused riding. Most visitors do both across a weekend.
- Do I need uplift at Innerleithen?
- Uplift (shuttle service to the top) runs seasonally at Innerleithen and significantly reduces the climbing effort — the descents are steep and the uphill is demanding. Uplift booking is recommended for a full day of Inners riding. Check trailheads.co.uk for current uplift schedules.
- Can beginners ride at the Tweed Valley?
- Yes — Glentress has excellent green and blue trails and the best skills area in Scotland for learning. Complete beginners should start in the skills area before committing to a full trail. The Peebles Forest trails give easier riding before moving onto Glentress's full network.
- Where should I stay for riding the Tweed Valley?
- Peebles is the main town with good B&Bs, hotels and a campsite. The Glentress Hub café is within the trail centre. For riders wanting to be closer to Innerleithen, the village has accommodation options. Edinburgh (50 min) makes a viable city base with good driving access.