Glentress Forest

Glentress Forest is located near Peebles in the Scottish Borders, about 30 miles south of Edinburgh. Part of the Tweed Valley Forest Park along with Traquair Forest in Innerleithen, it is the home of a mountain biking centre which is one of the 7stanes mountain bike trails operated throughout southern Scotland by the Forestry Commission.

There are currently 5 mountain bike waymarked routes and a freeride park in Glentress Forest. The historic cycle trails, aimed at children and families, provide an interesting way to explore the forest and its history. The blue, red, and black mountain bike routes provide a challenge for all abilities. The red route is noted for a high-speed section with many bermed corners known as Spooky Woods, whilst the black trail is most famous for the "Ewok's Village" raised wooden trails towards the end. The green trail is a "skills loop", and is designed for those new to mountain biking, although there are some challenges for those wishing to practice rocky sections or raised wooden trails too.

The trails have been designed by local engineer Pete Laing, and are considered to be among the best in the world.

All routes are constructed to be weather proof and so are rideable all year round.

Innerleithen is just a few minutes away by bike or car, and is one of the UK's most popular downhill mountain biking venues (though it also has a cross-country trail).

History

During the 1930s, unemployed men were set to work in Glentress Forest, breaking ground, building tracks, and undertaking other heavy labour. The men lived in a work camp at Eshiels, which was one of a number of so-called Instructional Centres run by the Ministry of Labour in order to 'harden' young men who had been out of work for some time. By 1938, the Ministry was operating 35 Instructional Centres across Britain, with a total capacity of over 6,000 places. By 1939, unemployment was declining in the face of impending war, and the Ministry closed down its work camps.The forest itself was planted in the 1920's in response to the national shortage of timber brought about by the First World War. Some of the original stands of Douglas Fir still remain to this day. There are remains of an Iron Age hill fort at the top of Janet's Brae which offers a spectacular vista over the town of Peebles. A short walk will lead you to the reconstruction of a timber round house from the same Iron Age period.

External links

* [http://www.7stanes.gov.uk 7stanes – Scotland's Biking Heaven]
* [http://www.7stanes.gov.uk/website/pdf.nsf/pdf/7stanes-glentressmap.pdf/$FILE/7stanes-glentressmap.pdf Glentress Trail Map (PDF)]
* [http://www.thehubintheforest.co.uk The Hub in the Forest]
* [http://www.glentressforest.com Glentress Forest.com]
* [http://www.scottishmountainbike.com Scottish Mountain Bike]
* [http://www.mountainbikesapart.com A trail guide for Glentress at Mountain Bikes Apart]

References

John Field, "Learning Through Labour: Training, unemployment and the state, 1890-1939", Leeds University Press, 1992, ISBN 0-900-960-48-5