Jumping for joy at Glentress with opening of new mountain bike skills area
Last updated 8th Oct 2025
It's already established itself as one of the best destinations in Britain for mountain biking.
But visitors to Glentress are now jumping for joy with the opening of a new skills area.
It's designed to help more, young and inexperienced riders learn the ropes and get up to speed safely.
As well as a mini mountain biking zone, roller zone, and cornering zone, novice riders can also benefit from the drop and technical zones and begin to learn the sorts of skills they’ll need on the wider network to handle changes to surface, levels and conditions.
It's the final piece of the Glentress Masterplan, which has already delivered 16km of new trails.
Forestry & Land Scotland's South Region Manager, John Dougan, said: “This £6 million investment in Glentress has involved a huge effort from the team and has at times been challenging, so I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped make the Masterplan a reality.
“Having already accommodated UCI world Championship events, Glentress’ importance for the area has been amply demonstrated.
“But we have worked hard to make this an inclusive destination with something for families, young people, new and novice riders, adaptive riders and, of course, the wider mountain biking community.
“With something for everyone, and Forest Holidays lodges that have been very successful in attracting visitors to the area, Glentress will fit very well with future tourism plans for the area, which we’re sure will go from strength to strength.”
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From the outset, the Masterplan project set out to reinvigorate Glentress as an attraction, broadening its appeal and significantly improving the offering for all visitors.
Growing visitor numbers – which include staycationers, overseas tourist and mountain bikers - both attest to its success and demonstrate that Glentress is a world-class visitor destination, as as well and one of the UK’s leading destinations for mountain biking.
Paul Andrews-Garth, FLS Project Manager, added: “This latest milestone marks the end of the Glentress Masterplan but also marks the beginning of the next chapter for this fantastic, multi-use destination.”
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