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| Whether you’re ready to step up from green-graded trails to the next level, or want an exciting but less technical ride, the Glentress Blue Trail is ideal. It’s an occasionally testing, exciting introduction to cross-country singletrack riding which keeps off the forest roads for much of its length. Start at the Buzzard’s Nest car park, or, if you’re fit and enjoy climbing, join the trail from the Osprey car park. Uphill to start with From the Buzzard’s Nest, follow the trail on forest road for a gentle downhill ride to the start of the singletrack climb (shared with the red route). There are several switchbacks on the trail, which brings you out at the picnic area. Cross the forest road back onto the trail and start the next section of uphill. This is a good singletrack climb, with tight hairpin bends, and will test your strength and bike handling, before bringing you out onto the forest road. The climb continues on the road up to a junction where the red and blue routes diverge: turn right, almost doubling back on yourself and continue on the road towards Betty Blue. Betty Blue As the forest road climbs, you’ll pass the exit point for Spooky Wood (part of the red trail). Soon the trail takes a sharp left to a short but steep climb, which leads to the top of Betty Blue – the first blue-graded singletrack descent. This is fun and flowing, with bermed corners and some loose stones, but it isn’t too steep. At the bottom, turn right, onto the forest road. You can gather some speed along here before the route turns back up the hill to the next section of singletrack. Heading for home You will already have passed the entrance to this section on the way to Betty Blue. This time, follow the blue arrows, marked 'home'. A lovely narrow trail plunges down the hill through tall, well-spaced trees, curls to the left and then climbs abruptly back up to the road. The climb is short and it doesn’t have any of the tight hairpins of the earlier ascents, but coming towards the end of the ride, it may be tiring. The trail surface is good, though, and if you can find your rhythm, it’s an enjoyable section of the route. Blue Velvet Cross over the forest road and join Blue Velvet. It’s easy going, starting with a short climb from the road, leading into a couple of banked turns to pick up some speed for the flatter sections that follow. The trail undulates, then takes you into into a couple of roller coaster-style dips and rises, ending with a broad 180 turn and a shimmy through the trees. Emerging from Blue Velvet onto the forest road, there’s a slight descent to the top of the freeride area above the Buzzard’s Nest. There are several options here, but the blue descent winds relatively gently down and into the car park. Electric Blue From the Buzzard’s Nest car park, there’s a popular section of blue-graded descent, with many of the trail features more typical of the red route, but smaller. Numerous bermed corners, jumps and table tops feature on this exciting section. It isn’t as steep as many of the red-graded trails and can be ridden more slowly if you’ve just stepped up to blue-graded riding. A good stretch to test your skills on. Falla Brae Coming out of Electric Blue, you join the forest road, where a right turn will take you back up to the Buzzard’s Nest, or you can go left to return to the Hub. Alternatively, carry straight on down Falla Brae. This final section of singletrack is also the way home for the red- and black-graded rides (make sure you don’t take the black grade option part way down), and brings you back to the Red Squirrel and Hub car parks. |
 Distance: 8km starting at Buzzard's Nest car park, 14km from Osprey car park.60% singletrack starting at Buzzard's Nest, 65% from Osprey car park. Estimated time to ride the route: 1 - 2 hours starting at the Buzzard's Nest and 2 - 4 hours starting at the Osprey car park. |
Our thanks to 7Stanes for providing trail information. |
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