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Having been to Glentress and Innerleithen a good few times over the past 10 years I'm interested to know how to get the best out of both of them in a single day. I've heard that there is a good way of linking the two together. Is there a route map that shows how this is done and how far is the route in total? Any guidance would be great. Thanks.
[url= http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/scottish-borders-loop ]clicky[/url]. Zoom in on Peebles to see the detail, the path start from just after Peebles and takes you to Traquair road just before it crosses the Tweed. The Innerleithen car park is just on the other side of the bridge.
Its about 6 miles between Glentress and Innerliethen.
To be honest I would just stick my bike back on the roof of the car and drive
I've done a ride accross the hills from Glentress to Innerleithen, it was pretty good. It's not marked on the OS maps, but essesntially shortly after the radio mast on the GT black you head accross Black Knowe, Mill Rig, Lee Pen and down into Innerleithen. From vague memory, when the GT black turns right there is a steep slippy grassy descent that goes down to a fence, that's the one you want. You can then ride accross the Inners and back along the river. The final descent from Lee Pen was surprisingly steep and rocky.
Thanks. I thought there was an off road route that linked the top of the glentress black across to the top of innerleithen to combine the two of them so doing glentress up and innerleithen down or the other way around?
Having looked on google maps it would appear that what I'm suggesting isn't really possible given that there is a valley and main road between the two hills where the trails are based. Perhaps doing tomd's suggestion combined with a loop of innerleithen would be best and finish with a gentle pedal back to glentress.
Yeah they're on opposite sides of the valley. The route mentioned above is ridden quite often, you'll see quite a few tyre marks heading off the GT black in this direction. There's a footpath along the river that takes you back, although I've been told there are more exciting trail options that also get you back.
I did look once but these days I just ride down the path by the river then onto the back road. Itr is quite pleasant.
Park at Cardrona (free) and ride on the new 'path' to Inners. Do Inners loop. Head into Innerleithen itself and avail yourself of the café.
Then aim for the paths that run from the town towards the golf course (Caberston) and when you get to first few holes nip onto the road. Follow for 2-3 miles and at Leithen Water turn left onto an estate road.
Follow this until you hit a crossroads, go left. And then climb and climb, eventually you'll see a path heading left to the Boundary Trail or follow on and then aim for the Mast. At either point do the Black. Once back to the car park continue on the link path back to Cardrona.
as br says from the golfie head to Leithen Lodge. When you see Williamslee cottage on your right head left up the farm track and keep going to the gate. To the mast from Williamslee it should be around 25-30 mins. Its a cracking run but bloody miserable if its wet!
The ride across via Lee Pen is a lovely old school ride. I like combining it with the last section of Gypsy Glen which makes for a terrific loop. Cracking undulating (mainly) descent into Peebles.
For a proper big day out of 4 climbs, I would be thinking Glentress Black, Lee Pen, the rocky ridge, Innerleithen and finishing with Gypsy Glen....hmmmmm, I can feel a Spring day ride coming on........... Not one for those who don't like climbing though............
tbh We found the Black to Lee Pen really crap, a lot of effort for not a lot.
You might as well do Deliverence, Jesus House and then join the link-path after the tight bends. Left at the old railway crossing and follow the horse-trails which bring you back onto the bottom of Lee Pen and then take the various paths into the back of Innerleithen.
Thanks for all the info. I think we might head up the black and head down into inleithen to do a lap of the trail there after some lunch. We'll then have option to go back up and join the black or pedal back along the river if we're feeling lazy or purely exhausted. One thing I was wondering is how feasible this is given the recent downpours? Are these routes rideable at the moment or is it best to stick to the trail centres dedicated routes which drain a little better?
the farm track down from the mast to Leithen Lodge will be wet but its a great descent.
The routes described are all pretty hard-wearing, espcially the link-path which is armoured.
I have done the Route Sanny mentioned, GT Black, across to Lee Penn, then around the Inners XC Inners trail, then up through Cardrona Forest and over Gpysy Glen. Lots of climbs, 50 miles all in. Done it twice but to be honest it's not the greatest of routes but some amazing views, especially on the way to Lee Penn. needs to be done after a period of dry weather or on a cold frosty day. Nice one to have bagged though!
Went and did the black on Sunday in torrential rain and driving wind. That was enough for me when the weather is like that. Still loved it though. I'd forgotten how much better I like the black due to it being that little bit more challenging both up and downhill. Comrie next and then back south to Innerleithen in a few weeks time.