Start/Finish Junction of Traquair Road and High Street, Innerleithen. OS ref NT329365 Total distance 53km (33 miles) Time 5-7 hours Map Ordnance Survey Landranger 73: Peebles, Galashiels & Selkirk Summary Mixes Innerleithen red and Glentress black routes with big hill riding. Start from junction of Traquair Road and A72/High Street, Innerleithen. Join red route to the top of Minch Moor. After brief descent, turn left onto the Southern Upland Way. Go straight ahead at all junctions/crossroads and follow SUW signage at all gates. In Traquair, turn left onto the B709 for 1.5km, then right onto minor road for Orchard Mains and Glen House estate. Follow road west along the valley, then turn right to Cardrona/Peebles. Follow track with Tweed Trails signage, bear right and go through a gate. Climb steeply up grassy doubletrack straight ahead to the edge of a plantation. Pass through gate then take left onto singletrack that skirts trees and fence (don’t follow fire road). Follow steep path as it slackens, then undulates before steep descent. Cross fence at gate to continue on doubletrack that skirts Birks Hill. Follow track to the top of Kirkhope Law. Go through gate, turn right for path that follows the ridge to Peebles. At a gate with Kailzie Hill sign, bear left to climb on singletrack alongside a wall before descending to gate/original track. Follow track to the river (ford/bridge), along the avenue and into Peebles along the road. Cross the Tweed, bear right and pick up the A72 towards Innerleithen. Turn left onto minor road 0.5km after garage, then right onto fire road signed Janet’s/Jenny’s Brae. Follow Peebles Link track to Buzzards Nest car park. Follow black route to post 80 (after the mast) ascending towards Makeness Kips and Dunslair Heights. Leave black route and follow directions for Moderate route step 4 to Lee Pen (alternatively follow black route back to Glentress for escape route). From Lee Pen, descend to Innerleithen via rocky section and woodland trails. by Matt_Skinner
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