more biking adventures

As much as we love road cycling, biking adventures in the valley come in all shapes and sizes – not just skinny!

The hills and forests around offer the perfect playground for all disciplines of mountain biking, and there are miles upon miles of remote forest tracks and ancient drove roads to explore behind the bars of a gravel bike. There are even two family-friendly pumptracks to practice your twists and turns on in Cardrona and Walkerburn.

Mountain Biking

Considered by many to be the home of mountain biking in Scotland, the Tweed Valley has a rich network of off-road trails for riders of all abilities. At its heart sits Glentress Forest, home to an internationally-recognised trail centre and much, much more. The eyes of the world were on Glentress when it played host to a spectacular programme of cross-country mountain bike races at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships – and it continues to draw visitors on two-wheels from across the globe today. Along with a dedicated mountain bike skills area and enviable selection of trails (from mild-mannered greens to adrenaline-fuelled blacks), coaching, bike hire and guiding are all close at hand too.

Keen to dial it up a notch? Just five miles away at Innerleithen and Caberston Forest (‘the Golfie’) you will find some of the UK’s finest downhill and enduro trails. Not for the fainthearted, the ever-evolving mix of trail centre tracks and hand cut trails in this corner of the valley are perfect for experienced riders in search of something steep, techy and even a little terrifying – with an uplift service at Innerleithen for those looking to spend the day descending.

Back on lower ground, there are endless off-road routes offering a gentler cycling experience. Explore the valley’s quieter side – and some of the area’s attractions, eateries and shops – in our selection of 10 Classic Bike Routes featuring the traffic-free Tweed Valley Railway Path and challenging but gorgeous Gypsy Glen.

Gravel Riding

Ancient drove roads. Forest fire tracks. Peaceful back lanes. The Tweed Valley’s gravel riding scene goes from strength to strength – with the fifth outing of Muck n Mac Fest in 2026 testament to the wealth of outstanding gravel routes in the region.

Our 10 Classic Gravel Routes is a good place to start your gravel journey with us. Featuring everything from an enchanting 10km jaunt through Cademuir Forest to an exhilarating 100km loop that takes in the Three Brethren and Bowhill House, this carefully curated route guide will take you to some of the wilder, lesser-known reaches of the valley.

The centrepiece to this route guide is the brand-new Wild Tweed 200: a two-to-three-day gravel adventure that tests the grit of the hardiest of riders. Notorious climbs, breathtaking descents, history and heritage and mighty rivers and lochs sit at the heart of this 200km epic that whisks you deep into the Tweed Valley … and beyond.

Image credits: Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland; Riders Retreat Glentress; Muck n Mac Fest.