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We're staying in Innerliethen for a few days and fancy doing some exploring outside the trail centres (have already had a great day out doing Gypsy Glen circuit). We'd like to check out some less technical off road options for potential bike packing trips in the future - more of a looking at the views and get into the wilds, rather than technically challenging ride (one of us is on a CX/gravel type bike).
Looks like there's so many options, it's difficult to know where to start.
Just wondered if anyone can tell us if the Southern Upland Way heading East from Traquair, past Minch Moor has any potential(?). Don't mind doing out and back routes - we just fancied grabbing a half day out on our bikes to escape shrieking kids and in-laws!
Any sensible advice or suggestions would be much appreciated.
TIA
One route would be to climb either the Inners red or the various fireroads to the SUW on the Minch and then take it across until a right-fork (Minchmoor Road). This is grassy descent all the way down into Yarrow. Then cross the road and go into the Bowhill Estate (past Newark Castle) and onwards.
Then cross the main road again and go thru Philliphaugh coming out at the Waterwheel café. Then along the valley until the left turn for the Corbie road. This takes you up to the 3 Brethern, the other 'end' of the SUW. Take the ridge back to Inners.
Been years since I've done it but isn't there a better descent down to Broadmeadows YH? Continue along the ridge at the fork, I think there was a sign from the SUW to the hostel. Or if you keep riding along the ridge to the three brethren there's a lot of riding in Yair Forest.
About this time last year I rode up inners red then on the suw over to the 3 brethran , down the quarry enduro and double Decker trail then back up to the 3 brethren and back to inners to finish of the red . Was a good day out but patches of the suw were pretty muddy to start with but most of it was ok
[I]Been years since I've done it but isn't there a better descent down to Broadmeadows YH? Continue along the ridge at the fork, I think there was a sign from the SUW to the hostel. Or if you keep riding along the ridge to the three brethren there's a lot of riding in Yair Forest. [/I]
Yes, but not for a CX bike...
Thanks for the suggestions (& for remembering the CX bike bit!:) I've just bought a new Landranger map to check out the Minch-Yarrow-Three Brethren loop and it looks just the job.
Cheers.
You can also go south down the SUW to Blackhouse at the other side of the plantation. Up the Douglas Burn and Black Cleuch to escape out of the trees onto the path up to Birkscairn Hill (the obvious single dotted line on the map doesn't exist as a path!). Finish via Gyspy Glen.