9 tower tweed valley - scotland.forestry.gov.uk · the peebles rig williamslee leithen door hill...
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Ponds Trail
Stroll around the enchanted Glentress ponds, an oasis of ash, birch and pine that is home to herons, bats andred squirrels.
Firm gravel path with regularseats. Short moderate ramps with some loose stones. Includes a wide kissing gate and bridge, and a narrow 0.85m opening.
Glen Trail
Discover the charms of Glentress Burn, passing its sereneponds before winding through the magnificent Douglasfirs above.
Numerous short steep slopes with some loose gravel. Some narrow and uneven earth sections with exposed tree roots. A short flight of steps, and several kissing gates and narrow openings.
Welcome to the most popular visitor attraction in theScottish Borders. Six forests, each with their own uniquecharacter, make up Tweed Valley Forest Park. Located onlyan hour’s drive south of Edinburgh, they are strung likepearls along the silver thread of the River Tweed.
As the great glaciers melted 10,000 years ago, trees and plants re-colonised these lands. 5,000 years later, hunter-gatherersstarted to cut down the trees and settle into farming. Later theKings of Scotland enjoyed hunting here. However, by the early1600s this area was one of the most treeless regions in Britain,described as having “not one wood worth naming in all this openand windy country”. Nowadays, people live in the valleys, and treeshave returned to the hills.
As well as being lovely places to visit, these are also workingforests, where the timber is used for furniture, paper and buildings– including our own distinctive structures at Glentress Peel.However, for every tree felled two more are planted, ensuring thatthese woodlands will be around for future generations to enjoy.
Tree Top Adventure
Other points of interest
Biking in the Forest ParkOff-road cycling on forest trails is available in all seven forests. 7stanesGlentress offers 75 kms of dedicated trails, with something to suit allabilities. 7stanes Innerleithen is more suited to experienced bikers. Bikehire and skills classes available at Glentress Peel Bikes. See www.7stanesmountainbiking.com for more information.
Walking in the Forest ParkFrom those with limited mobility, wheelchair users and families withbaby buggies to walkers who want a good hike in the hills, there issomething for everyone within the Forest Park.
Eating in the Forest ParkYou’ll find picnic tables throughout the forests, so sit awhile, relax andenjoy the scenery. Alternatively, visit Glentress Peel Café, for a mouth-watering range of snacks, meals and refreshments.
Horse riding in the Forest ParkAll the forest roads can be ridden. Both Cademuir and Cardrona offereasy access/parking for horseboxes.
Wildlife Watching in the Forest ParkFind out about the Tweed Valley ospreys and lots of other local wildlife atthe Wild Watch at Glentress Peel or at nearby Kailzie Gardens. Watch theosprey chicks grow from fluff balls to spectacular adults. Open mid-Aprilto the end of August.
Heritage in the Forest ParkTurbulent times have never been far from the Scottish Borders; the ForestPark has a rich heritage of ancient forts, settlements and towers to explore.
Art in the Forest ParkEnjoy the work of local artists, celebrating the legends of the area, atThornielee, Caberston and Glentess. Alternatively, bring a pad and paints
and create your own masterpiece!
ExploreEnjoy
and
Discover
Discover the Seven Treasures of the Tweed
7 stanes Mountain Bikingin the Forest Park
7stanes Glentress is arguably the busiest andbest mountain biking centre in the UK. The world-class award winning trails range from green-graded – perfect for beginners and families, up toblack and orange – for more experienced riders, sothere’s something for all. There’s even a skills areafor sharpening your technique.
7stanes Innerleithen, located just a few miles east of Glentress, isquite different from its busier and better known sister. This is avenue for more experienced bikers and is well renowned for itschallenging cross-country route and its four extreme-graded downhill trails.
Find out more about mountain biking in Tweed Valley Forest Park atwww.7stanesmountainbiking.com
hiking in the hillsstunning scenery watching wildlife walking for everyone autumn colours forest arts picnic paradise family cycling enjoying the forest Enjoying the 7stanes at Glentress and Innerleithen
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© Crown copyright and database right [2011]. All rightsreserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number [100021242]
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← ©VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint
Southern Upland Way Sign ©VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint
Welcome to
For
information
on what’s
available
from Forestry
Commission
Scotland in
the rest of
Dumfries
and the
Borders
please
contact
Forestry Commission ScotlandDumfries & Borders Forest DistrictAe Village, Parkgate, Dumfries DG1 1QBTel: 0300 067 6900E-mail: [email protected]: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland
Public enquiry line 0300 067 6156
Just an hour away from Edinburgh, six forests dot thevalley of the River Tweed. There’s a forest for you whether you’re looking for: a nice walk, quiet picnic, atree-top adventure, a glimpse of the valley’s prehistoricpast, some of Britain’s best mountain biking, or a warmingcuppa in the distinctive café at Glentress, built from local timber.
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Designe
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Scotla
nd - D&IS.3K.JTC
P.Feb 2018
All pho
tographs from
Forestry Com
mission
Picture Library unles otherwise stated.
© Crown Copyright 2018
For information on public transport services contact: Traveline Scotland, 0871 200 2233 or www.travelinescotland.com
Cover photogrphs ©
Aerographica
Glentress Peel
The visitor facilities at Glentress are second to none andprovide the ideal base for exploring the wider Forest Park.
Head for the Tweed Valley Forest Park Gateway building, where youwill find information boards, toilets, changing and shower facilitiesand the Tweed Valley Forest Park Wild Watch centre.
If you’re going biking, then why not hire a bike or pick up someaccessories at Glentress Peel Bikes? The staff can also offer greatadvice on the local trails.
And after all your hiking or biking exertions, call into Glentress Peel Café for a tasty snack and some refreshments.
Rightly renowned for its mountain biking, there’s more toGlentress than you’d expect! Away from the biking trails, thereare excellent walking trails and opportunities to spot localwildlife too. Tweed Valley
Forest Park
Tweed Valley Forest Park Gatew
ay at Glentress Peel and bike shop
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If you need this publication in an alternative format, please contact:The Diversity TeamTel: 0300 067 5000Email: [email protected]
½ mile /0.9 kmAllow ¼ hour
2 miles /3.3 kmAllow 1 hour
Time Trail
Get a glimpse of our Iron Age past on this delightful highlevel promenade above the Tweed Valley, with spectacularviews over Peebles to the Caddon Hills.
Mostly firm gravel surface. Some sections of uneven earthand grass with exposed treeroots. Long moderate slopes with some steeper sections.
Buzzard’s Nest Trail
Explore the varied plantations of Glentress Forest,including characterful areas of Scots pine, Douglas fir andNorway spruce, and good views across the valley fromthe slopes of Cardie Hill.
Firm gravel and earth surface with loose and uneven sections. Long steep slopes for 400m. Includes kissing gates, narrow openings and some steps. Look out for vehicles and other users.
Tower Trail
Climb to the top of Glentress Forest and pass the Iron Agesettlement at Shieldgreen Tower. Magnificent views overPeebles and Soonhope Burn.
Rough earth and grass paths, often narrow. Several long and continuous steep slopes for over 500m. Some short muddy sections.
2¼ miles/ 3.8 kmAllow 1½ hours
3 miles /4.9 kmAllow 2 hours
5¾ miles/ 9.3 kmAllow 4 hours
Glentress ForestYour adventure starts here !
Yair, the old Scots word for fish trap, is thought to give thisforest its name, as King Malcolm in 1156, granted the monksof Kelso 8 acres of land and the right to build a fish trap here.
The Biodiversity Trail from Glenkinnon car park is a fine shortwalk where you’ll find information boards detailing the wealthof flora and fauna to be found in Yair forest.
Take care on the hills
Cardrona ForestThe Tweed at walking pace
CademuirEscape the crowds
Ya i r An anc ient woodland
The Outdoor Access Code
Please remember that the weatheron the hills can change very quickly.Even in summer, conditions on thetops of hills are often much colderand windier than at low levels,despite clear skies. Here are somepointers for a safe and enjoyable trip:• Be properly equipped;• Plan your route carefully and stickto it;
• Tell someone where you aregoing and when you expect toreturn;
• Take adequate warm &waterproof clothing;
Cabers ton ForestAn anc ient s t ronghold
Thorn ie leeThe heart of the valley
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© Crown copyright and database right [2011]. All rightsreserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number [100021242]
The Tweed Valley’s many hilltops provided ideal sites forIron Age forts and settlements where our ancestors couldkeep an eye on marauding neighbours and invading Romans.
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© Crown copyright and database right [2015]. All rightsreserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number [100021242]
Forestry Commission Scotland welcomes all visitors toTweed Valley Forest Park. To help you enjoy the parkand have a safe visit please read the information inthis panel. Details of all the walking routes in theForest Park are described in this guide.
The internationally acclaimed 7stanes mountain biking routes arecovered in separate publications, further details from:www.7stanesmountainbiking.com
Most of the trails have numbered posts, which you can use asreference points. The locations of the posts are marked on theindividual trail maps.
The Forest Park is a major element in the landscape of this beautifulpart of Scotland. Covering 6,400 hectares or 16,000 football pitches,it means there’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy themselves!
To help maintain the extensive recreational facilities ofTweed Valley Forest Park, please pay the parking chargewhere requested.
All Forestry Commission Scotland guide maps use symbols, the key shows what they mean.
What the map symbols mean
Map
3Map
2Map
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Map
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Enjoying the fantastic views
The Three Brethren Cairns © Stuart Ruffell
Bridge ove the River Tweed in winter © VisitScotland
Tawny owl - © northeastwildlife.co.uk Horse riding
Muckle Mouth Meg Small Copper butterfly
Tree Top Adventure
Other points of interest
In format ionCentre
Map
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Burn Trail
A pleasant stroll through spruce and larch trees alongsidethe gently-flowing Kirk Burn.
Firm gravel surface with some loose stones. Short section grassed over. Includes moderate slopes and two bridges 0.9m wide.
¼ mile /0.3 kmAllow ¼ hour
Tantah’s Trail
A lovely short loop through this peaceful larch and pineforest, where bird song fills the air and wildlife waitsaround every turn.
Firm gravel path with someuneven sections. Includes a long steep slope and somemuddy patches.
Pilots’ Trail
Be rewarded with panoramic views of the Tweed Valleyfrom the summit of Cademuir Hill and see if you can spotthe Iron Age settlement.
Firm gravel path with someuneven sections. Includes a long steep slope and some muddy patches.
1¼ miles /2.2 kmAllow ¾ hour
3¾ miles /6.0 kmAllow 2½ hours
Here you’ve found the ideal corner of Tweed ValleyForest Park for peaceful walking, relaxing picnics andgentle horse-riding through miles of woodland trails.There’s lots of wildlife to see here too – look out for redsquirrels and a wealth of birdlife.
The smallest of our forests but the mightiest for views andmysterious glen's. Mists catch in the trees and fill the glencreating a secretive world. The Pilots’ Trail is named aftertwo downed German pilots who took refuge here duringWorld War II and were only discovered when smoke fromthe fire gave them away.
Tweed Valley’s ancient and turbulent historyhas left many tales to tell. You can reflect onsome of them at Thornielee or just enjoy apicnic or walk in pretty butterfly meadows.There are walks, wildlife, stunning views andquirky history to discover at this quiet site.
For a longer walk, follow part of the Southern Upland Way(Scotland’s coast to coast route) to the Three Brethren Cairn. In the1500s, the lairds of Yair, Selkirk and Philiphaugh each built a cairnto mark the boundary of their land. Part of this trail follows anancient (reputedly over 10,000 years old) drove road.
Glenkinnon Biodiversity Trail
Starting by the 500-year old Glenkinnon Oak, explore anancient woodland of ash, alder and oak.
Largely uneven earthy and grassy surface. Narrow paths with tree roots, muddy patches and a number of bridges. Some steep slopes on uneven ground.
1 mile / 1.6 kmAllow ¾ hours
Pirn Hill Trail
Climb back in time around the Iron Age hill fort on PirnHill. There’s an option to include the summit andpanoramic views over the Tweed Valley.
Uneven earth and grass paths.Includes short steep sections with loose gravel.
¾ miles /1.4 kmAllow ¾ hourWallace’s Trail
Head deep into the forest to discover theremains of Cardrona Tower and the Iron Age fortat Castle Knowe, as well as fine views over theTweed Valley.
Uneven rocky and earthy surface withconsiderable soft andmuddy sections. Longsteep slopes for up to 400m. Includes narrow openings and bridges that can be avoided on horseback.
3¾ miles /6.0 kmAllow 2½ hours
Kirkburn Trail
Walk or ride alongside the attractive Kirk Burnand through the varied forest above, whereyou’ll find a wealth of birdlife.
Uneven rocky andearthy path with muddy sections. Long slopes with steepsection for 300m. Wide surface suitable for horse-riding, with narrow bridge and opening that can both be avoided.
2¾ miles /4.3 kmAllow 2 hours
• Wear suitable footwear;• Carry map & compass, know howto use them;
• Take sufficient food and drink;• Turn back if it gets too hard foryou;
• In emergencies call 999and ask for the POLICE.
When connected provide:
a. Location of the incident
b. Number of people in the party
c. Any injuries (if there are ask thePolice to inform the Ambulance Service) Meadow Trail
A gentle meander with plenty of places tosit. Spot the butterflies this forest isrenowned for, or the anthills on the edgeof the pines.
Largely firm gravelsurface, with someloose stones. Someshort moderateslopes and a fewsteeper ramps. Regular seats along route.
½ mile /1.0 kmAllow ¼ hour
Cairns Trail
A long climb to the top of Thornielee Forest is rewarded withmagnificent views. Pass the mysterious Shepherds Cairns.
Rough earth and grass pathswith exposed tree roots andseveral muddy sections. Longsteep slopes for up to 500m.
2½ miles /4.1 kmAllow 1½ hours
Sculptures by local artist Mary Kenny, mark Innerleithen’s history