Description
Innerleithen is the Forestry and Land Scotland 7stanes centre in the Tweed Valley, on the edge of Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders, and one of the best known downhill venues in the country. It has four waymarked downhill runs and an optional line, all graded double black (extreme), dropping steeply through the forest from the summit of Plora Rig, plus a 19km red cross-country route that climbs to the summit of Minch Moor. Adrenalin Uplift runs a shuttle to the top of the downhill runs from the trailhead car park, which is also the start for the rider-built trails of the Golfie across the valley.
The Trails
Downhill
The four waymarked downhill runs are a mix of natural and machine-built lines, all graded double black (extreme) by FLS, with rock steps, drops, chutes, doubles and gap jumps. Cresta Run packs more than 25 jumps into its open middle section, with tabletops, doubles, hips, step-ups and step-downs. A full-face helmet, gloves, body armour and a downhill bike are strongly recommended on all of them.
- Make or Brake: 2km
- Matador: 1.9km
- Gold Run: 1.4km
- Cresta Run: 1.5km
- Double D: a 0.4km optional line off Cresta Run, with bigger jumps and steeper take-offs
Cross Country
- Innerleithen XC: 19km, red, about 75% singletrack, allow 2 to 4 hours. You're on singletrack straight out of the car park, with a switchback climb through the forest and a long climb to the summit of Minch Moor, then singletrack back down with jumps, drop-offs and optional black-graded features.
Innerleithen's downhill scene predates the cross-country investment that brought it into the 7stanes network, and it sits just down the road from its sister trail centre at Glentress. The venue placed 2nd in Scotland's Trail of the Year in 2014 and 3rd in 2016.
Trails at Innerleithen are subject to periodic closures and diversions due to forestry operations and storm damage, so always check the FLS Innerleithen bike page for current alerts before travelling, and follow the diversion signs on site.
Phytophthora ramorum, a tree disease, has reached Traquair Forest, so FLS asks visitors to clean their bikes, shoes and kit (and dogs) after riding here.
The Golfie
Across the valley, the Golfie (Caberston Forest) is a large network of steep, ungraded, rider-built trails, and it starts from the same car park. It has no uplift, so riders climb the forest roads.
Guides, Shuttles and Hire
Most downhill riders use the uplift, which runs every 15 minutes or so through the day with a break for lunch; the alternative is the push-up path. The businesses below are in Innerleithen, a short ride from the car park.
- Adrenalin Uplift: minibus and trailer uplift to the top of the downhill runs from the Uplift Cabin in Innerleithen Trails Car Park, plus rental and demo bikes, protection and coaching.
- Ride Innerleithen: bike shop on Traquair Road, with servicing, repairs and hire and demo bikes.
- Ridelines: mountain bike skills coaching, guided rides and leader training, based on the High Street.
- Tweed Valley Bikes: bike shop on the High Street with demo and hire bikes, a workshop, guided rides through Tweed Valley Guides and coaching through Dirt School.
The uplift runs six days a week in summer and on fewer days in winter. A day uplift pass costs £46. Prices are correct as of October 2026 but subject to change, so check current dates and rates and book on Adrenalin Uplift's site before you travel.
Local Organisations
The Tweed Valley Trails Association is a Scottish registered charity that maintains and develops mountain bike trails across the Tweed Valley, working with Forestry and Land Scotland, and runs regular volunteer dig days. Find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Getting Here
Innerleithen Trails Car Park, Traquair Road, Innerleithen, EH44 6PW. From the main road through Innerleithen, follow the road sign for "7stanes Trails" next to St James' Church; the car park is half a mile along on the left. Parking is £1.50 for up to an hour or £4 for the day, and Blue Badge holders park free. Self-contained motorhomes can stay overnight under FLS's Stay the Night scheme.
The nearest public toilets, cafes and places to eat are in Innerleithen village.
Prices were correct at the time of writing but are subject to change, so check current rates before you visit.
Share
- If you have ridden the downhill runs or the XC trail at Innerleithen, please share your reviews, photos and videos on this listing.