Earth houses in Glentress Forest

Just an hour’s drive south of Edinburgh, Glentress Forest is the gateway to Tweed Valley Forest Park. It’s one of seven different forests dotted around the valley of the River Tweed that make up the Forest Park. Glentree is the hub and makes the ideal base for exploring the park. It’s famed for its 7stanes mountain biking centre, which has more than 50 miles (80 kilometres) of biking trails that vary in levels that are suitable for everyone from novices to experts. The forest also has five walking trails of varying lengths and terrain and opportunities for horse-riding and orienteering.

For the best weather conditions and for enjoying long daylight hours, April through September is the best time to visit the forest—it’s also a good time for watching wildlife, including breeding ospreys. The height of the summer season does bring crowds, however, especially during the school summer holidays. The forest is a year-round attraction and you can enjoy the trails any time, even in winter, as long as you take care. Note that, at times, trails may be closed due to adverse conditions.

• Glentress Forest is home to excellent visitor facilities, including a good cafe, bicycle hire, and the Wildlife Room where you can watch live feeds of ospreys and other wildlife.
• Some local bus services from Edinburgh pass the park, but having your own transport is preferable for getting to Glentress Forest.
• Younger visitors will enjoy the tree-top scramble and zip wires of the Go Ape centre, located within the forest.