8 easy bike routes
The Tweed Valley is renowned for its mountain biking, but the area is also full of easy-going routes perfect for beginner cyclists and those who’d like to experience the local sights and sounds at a more leisurely pace!
Bike/E-Bike: 8 Easy Routes
With so much of the valley linked by off-road routes or quiet back roads, we invite you to ditch the car keys and travel on two wheels – with these eight routes a great place to start.
Each individual spread features an easy-to-follow route guide, points of interest and a simple map with clearly labelled start/finish points. Download the full booklet [4.5MB] or choose an individual route below.
Route 1: Manor Valley Loop
A beautiful loop of the neighbouring Manor Valley, starting and finishing in Peebles. The route sticks to quiet back roads, skirting Cademuir Forest and returning via a 300-year-old bridge and a punchy climb to a stunning viewpoint. Download [533KB].
Route 2: Stobo to Broughton Loop
Discover an area of outstanding natural beauty on a route that climbs above the River Tweed before sweeping down into the pretty village of Broughton and returning on country roads past an Iron Age fort and a world-class botanic garden. Download [505KB].
Route 3: Discover Eddleston
Explore a new multi-use path that follows a rejuvenated river from Peebles to Eddleston. Full of delights, the route includes restored areas of wetland, a hutting community and the remarkable Great Polish Map of Scotland at Barony Castle. Download [513MB].
Route 4: Glentress Nature Loop
Pedal amongst giant tress on this loop through the mountain biking heaven that is Glentress Forest. Stop and learn about breeding ospreys, discover quiet spots by the ponds and enjoy fine views as the route winds up and down the forest roads. Download [510KB].
Route 5: Railway Path Explorer
Following the river along the Tweed Valley Railway Path, this easy-going route offers plenty of scope for cafe and ice cream stops before returning on a back road that passes the oldest continuously inhabited house in Scotland and a delightful garden. Download [532KB].
Route 6: Wild about Walkerburn
A short loop that uses the Tweed Valley Railway Path to head downstream from Innerleithen to nearby Walkerburn before crossing the Tweed and returning along a back road beneath Plora Wood, with views over to the pointed summit of Lee Pen. Download [500KB].
Route 7: Innerleithen to the Piper’s Grave
A scenic there and back route that follows the Leithen Water as it climbs the ‘Granites’ (B709) to the Piper’s Grave. It is here that an 18th century piper is said to have died while attempting to play all the way from Innerleithen to Edinburgh Castle. Download [513KB].
Route 8: Philiphaugh & Bowhill Loop
Learn about the area’s prized wildlife before exploring the splendid grounds of Bowhill House with its adventure playpark, historic tower and beautiful way-marked trails. Return via the site of a fiercely fought battle. Download [524KB].