Bike: 7stanes Glentress

Scottish Borders | Peebles | Mountain bike trails | ★★★★★

[Views help with the relentless climb to Buzzards Nest]

Does Peebles have the best mountain biking centre in Britain? As an all-rounder, probably: 7stanes Glentress is notable in having superb trails at all grades, from two gentle green circuits to a frightening-looking 29 km black route. Trails of all grades start from Glentress Peel car park, with a secondary hub at Buzzard's Nest accessible by a steep climb on two tyres or four. All of the trails are wonderfully varied - even the higher of the two green routes is 60% singletrack - with the red and black trails approaching 600 metres above sea level. From a start height of under 200 metres, that should make for a hell of a climb (we haven't dared try it yet)... and descents to match. And Innerleithen's quieter red and downhill trails are just around the corner.

[7stanes Glentress]

Location & info

📌 7stanes Glentress ★★★★★
Glentress Peel is just off the A72, 2 mi east of Peebles, G.R.: NT 284397 ///slowness.reeling.highly
Always open | Free (but with parking charge)

Routes: ⬤ 5+4 km ⬤ 16 km ⬤ 18 km ⬤ 29 km ⬤ freeride park. Map here.
Bike hire: Alpine Bikes at Glentress Peel



The 7stanes

The 7stanes are the gold standard in Scotland (and UK) mountain biking centres, dotted across southern Scotland. Between them they offer world-class trails with difficulties ranging from benign to bananas. They're named after 7 sculptured stanes (or stones), with one located at all the centres except Innerleithen.

>> Ae ★★★★
>> Dalbeattie ★★★★
>> Glentress ★★★★★
Glentrool
>> Innerleithen ★★★
Kirroughtree
Mabie
Newcastleton

If you're a keen mountain biker, or just fancy giving it a try, put the 7stanes at the very top of your list.

["Berm Baby Berm" is an easy, fast and flowing end to the higher blue route]

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