Forest trails

The many forests of the Tweed Valley are criss-crossed with fire roads and way-marked footpaths that provide a lifetime of running. Here are three trails to get you started.

 
 
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Pilots’ Trail, Cademuir Forest

Quiet and tucked away, this forest is a bit of a local favourite. And this recently extended trail is a cracker. Set off from the small car park on a circuit of this delightful forest named after two downed German pilots who took refuge here. The trail offers plenty of variety and fantastic views all around. Can be extended by leaving from the centre of Peebles.

9km round trip | Ascent: 100m | Route details

 
 
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Tower Trail, Glentress Forest

Mountain biking paradise it may be, but Glentress is also chock full of walking and running routes. For a comprehensive – not to mention strenuous – taste of this vast forest, the Tower Trail is a great option. Start from the Buzzard’s Nest car park, or the Glentress Peel café if feeling really fit, and climb to a magnificent viewpoint at Shieldgreen Kipps.

9km round trip | Ascent: 450m | Route details

 
 
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Pike’s Knowe Trail, Cardrona Forest

Much like Cademuir, Cardrona is another forest that sees relatively few visitors, and is all the better for it. Sometimes it feels like you have the whole place to yourself. There is a whole network of trails to choose from, with Pike’s Knowe Trail a particularly attractive option. The route heads deep into the forest past the remains of an Iron Age fort and Cardrona Tower – an old watchtower built on the side of the hill overlooking the valley below. We’d recommend running it anti-clockwise.

5.7km round trip | Ascent: 250m | Route details

 
 

Further information

For many more routes locally – both long and short – we recommend visiting Walkhighlands, an excellent online resource with downloadable route maps and detailed descriptions. Look out too for guidebooks from Moffat-based publisher Pocket Mountains, plus the ‘Paths around’ series of guidebooks produced by Scottish Borders Council. Finally, Walk Scottish Borders is another useful resource.