All you need to know about Glentress Forest

The variety of technical terrain at Glentress will challenge even the most seasoned MTB Marathon and Cross Country riders. 

As one of Scotland’s original trail centres, the ground may be rough going, but it’s hallowed too. New legends will fight their way up leg-burning climbs through dense fir wood forests, eventually giving way to breathtaking views of the Tweed Valley before swooping switchback descents with jumps, tabletops and fast flowing berms. 

The trails here are a crazy rush to ride and the same to spectate, so soak in every second of the action with us at Glentress.

BUS

The venue is served by the Borders Buses X62 service, which runs from Edinburgh to Galashiels. Some X62 services are bike-friendly and have storage racks for 2 to 4 bikes.

Services run every 30 minutes with a journey time of 1 hour 25 minutes from Edinburgh or just 5 minutes from Peebles. The service stops at Galashiels Interchange for Borders Railway connections.

See the Borders Buses website for accessibility information.

A regular direct bus service from Edinburgh or Melrose drops you at the event entrance, operated by Border Buses. For more information and to plan your journey, visit Traveline Scotland.

CYCLING

Cycling is a great way to get to Glentress Forest, which is just 4km from Peebles or 9km from Innerleithen. The venue is near the Tweed Valley Railway Path, which runs on quiet roads between Walkerburn and Peebles, for an enjoyable cycle.

A free and secure Bike Park is available at the venue. This will be run by event staff and a sign in, sign out system will be in operation. Please remember to bring a lock to secure your bike.

Opening times: Bike Park opening times will reflect venue opening times.

Connecting Edinburgh & The Lothians with the Scottish Borders, National Cycle Network Route 1 runs close to Glentress. You can also find more information on local trails in and around Peebles on the Scottish Borders Council website.

CAR

DRIVING

Local roads will be busy so please allow plenty of time for your journey. Where possible, please car share – it’s better for the planet and your wallet.

ROAD CLOSURES

Be mindful, if travelling on Sunday 6 August, there will be a road closure for the Cross-country Marathon event which will likely affect your travel. The B709 will be closed from 11:00 to 14:45 between Innerleithen Golf Club and Leithen Lodge.

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

• Northbound – via B709, A72, A703, A6094, B6372, A7, B7007 and B709 to point of closure
• Southbound – the above in reverse

PARKING

Spectator parking is only available at dedicated Park & Ride sites. Park & Ride facilities are available at three locations with free shuttle buses to take you to the venue. You can also walk or cycle to the venue from the Park & Ride sites.

Please be aware, shuttle buses have limited accessibility facilities. If you do have accessibility requirements, please use the dedicated accessible parking that must be booked in advance.

PARK & RIDE

Shuttle bus services will run at the same times as the venue opening and closing times noted on page 15 of the Spectator Guide. Services will leave from the following locations:

• If travelling from Glasgow and the west, use the Park & Ride facilities at Hay Lodge Park (blue) (what3words///winters.oath.assurance). This site is accessible from the A72 to the west of Peebles and is 5km from the venue. Capacity: 200 cars. Open from Wednesday 9 August to Saturday 12 August.
• If travelling from Edinburgh and the north, please use the Park & Ride facilities at Chapel Hill Farm (The Crossings) (green) (what3words///afternoon.island.shower).  This site is located on the A703 to the north of Peebles and is 6km from the venue. Capacity: 2500 cars. Open from Sunday 6 August to Saturday 12 August.
• If travelling from the east and south (A7, A68), use the Park & Ride facilities at Cemetery Field, Traquair Road, Innerleithen (red) (what3words///stilletto.dots.richly), which is 8km from the venue. Capacity: 1500 cars. This site will open from Sunday 6 August to Saturday 12 August.

Shuttle buses will run on continuous loops daily and approximately every 20 minutes, though this may change at peak and quieter times. First and last bus times will change daily to tie in with venue opening and closing times. Accessible shuttle buses will run from Cemetery Field in Innerleithen and Hay Lodge Park in Peebles. There will be some toilet facilities at Park & Ride sites.

Please note, there is no spectator parking at the venue (with the exception of pre-bookable Blue Badge parking), and we kindly ask that you do not park on any surrounding access or residential roads, laybys or verges. No waiting restrictions will be in place.

• The Main Spectator Entrance at Glentress will be clearly signposted from the A72.
• If arriving on foot or by bike you will enter via the pedestrian entrance from the Tweed Valley Railway Path - this will be signposted. If you are planning to use the Park & Ride service, the shuttle bus drop off is within the venue.
• Cross-country (XCO) and Marathon (XCM) training days are free for spectators (Sunday 6 to Tuesday 8 August).

Glentress is well equipped for you to have a great day. Facilities on venue:

• Food & Drink
• Medical Tent
• Public Toilets
• Cycle Parking
• Information Point
• Drinking Water Refill
• Merchandise
• Accessible Spectator Viewing
• Expo

Spectator seating

There is no grandstand seating at Glentress. Spectators will be standing to watch the action, or there is plenty of grassy areas to sit and rest. Spectators may wish to bring a portable camping chair with them should they feel they need it.

There is an accessible viewing platform for those who require this.

• The Tweed Valley is a mountain bikers’ paradise. There are dedicated trails at 7stanes Glentress and Innerleithen and some mountain biking trails are available in other forests within the valley. Forestry and Land Scotland’s website provides more information.
• Across the south of Scotland you’ll find the 7stanes - seven dedicated mountain bike centres. Why not check them out while you’re here?
• There are some great cycle route suggestions, including the new KC2C: South Scotland’s coast to coast route, on Scotland Starts Here.
• Why not extend your stay and explore more of the stunning Scottish Borders? Visit the Go Tweed Valley website for information about bike hire and local guides, ideas on where to stay, where to eat out and what else to see and do in the area.