Bikepacking Scotland: The Capital Trail

• Accessible throughout the year, the conditions in winter are very challenging, mud and snow can be encountered throughout the route almost anywhere.
• Take care during lambing season from April to end of May.

• As the trail is entirely in Scotland, you are allowed to wild camp anywhere, but please avoid areas near towns. All about outdoor access in Scotland can be found here: www.outdooraccess-scotland.com
• Hotels, B&B’s are available in Lauder, Melrose, Galashiels, Innerleithen, Peebles, West Linton and Edinburgh.
• There is a bunkhouse at Traquair Mill, and various serviced campsites in the route.

• The water from running streams is usually drinkable, and there are public toilets bars/pubs, all of them will allow you to fill up on water.
• There are shops in Whitecraig, Pencaitland, Lauder, Melrose, Galashiels (small detour), Innerleithen (small detour), Peebles and West Linton. Pubs/restaurants are in Edinburgh, Whitecraig, Elphinstone, Pencaitland, Carfraemill (small detour), Lauder, Melrose, Traquair (small detour, the brewery is worthwhile the extra mile), Peebles, West Linton and along the route into Edinburgh.
• The Tide Café at the start has yummy coffee, cakes and light bites.
• A few hundred metres from the finish the Espy offers a great selection of ales and tasty food.
• Bike shops can be found during normal opening hours in Edinburgh, Melrose, Innerleithen (small detour), Glentress & Peebles.

Detailed Trail Description

The Capital Trail starts at the Tide Café at Portobello Beach. It follows the coast until Musselburgh Harbour, and then the River Esk Path to Whitecraig. From Whitecraig it follows a short section of national cycle route 1, before climbing on a mixture of farm tracks and singletrack to Carberry Hill. From there the trail crosses Hillside Farm, and then joins a track to Elphinstone. Shortly after Elphinstone it joins the Pencaitland Railway Path, and follows another path past the Winton House to Pencaitland. From here it follows the river into West Saltoun, and then crosses Saltoun Big Wood to Gilchriston, before it continues on quite country lanes to Longyester. After Longyester it follows an old dirt road over Lammer Law, shortly after Windy Law the track continues across the ridge, before it dips into a valley and climbs steeply up again. After Bunny’s Bothy it follows a beautiful valley to join the road at Cleekhimin Bridge. After a short section on the A697 it joins the Southern Upland Way, passing Thirlestane Castle, Lauder, and then climbing onto Chester Hill. It briefly joins a minor road again, but follows the route of the Southern Upland Way (signposted) all the way to the banks of the River Tweed at Melrose, passing its famous abbey. After a short detour through Melrose (bike shop) it follows the Borders Abbeys Way to Abbotsford, and further on the Glenwhilt. From there it sweeps down a minor road to Sunderland Hall, and then follows a beautiful singletrack onto Cribbs Hill. It climbs up to Three Brethren, and form here you follow the Southern Upland Way (signposted) to the turn off to Minch Moor. From there take the Red XC trail for a bit before joining the Southern Upland Way again shortly after you left it, on the left you will find a bothy (great for overnight). From Traquair Mill you keep on the Southern Upland Way all the way to Blackhouse, from where a good Landrover track takes you to the bottom of Dun Rig. From the end of the track it is a tough ca. 1km steep hike and bike up Dun Rig, the highest point of the route. Follow a rough path to Stake Law, and join the Old Drovers route, the downhill from Kirkhope Law into Peebles is superb. In Peebles turn right at the signpost to Gypsy Glen, and follow trails to Janet’s Brae, where the route climbs into Glentress Forest. Shortly afterwards you join the blue route and then the red route to the top of Spooky Wood. The section down from Spooky Wood is full of jumps, and again is one of the best bits of mountain biking you can find in Scotland. Follow the red, blue and black routes down to Glentress Peel (bikeshop), cross the street and follow the trail along the river Tweed to Peebles. Shortly after you leave the town of Peebles take the trail towards the Meldons on your left, past Hamilton Hill, this follows the Cross Border Drovers Road again. After a short section on the road the tracks crosses a hill and follows the Finglan Burn to Romanno House. From here follow the Drovers Road to Kaimes, and join the road to West Linton. From West Linton take the track to Carlops, after Carlops follow a small singletrail on the left to Nine Mile Burn (signposted). From Nine Mile Burn follow the track signposted to Monks Rig and further on down to Bavelaw Castle. From here follow the trail to Loganlee Reservoir, down Logan Burn and past Glencorse Reservoir. From here follow the track to Harlaw, and further on continue on the track to Currie. Past Middle Kinleith take the trail down the Poet’s Glen to Currie, and shortly afterwards join the Water of Leith. In Slateford, join the Union Canal until the end, and then continue on the road to the Meadows, from where a cycle trail takes you all the way to the Royal Mile. Follow the Royal Mile down to Holyrood Palace, and turn right into Holyrood park, and follow the road round Arthur’s Seat. Before Dunsapie Loch follow a path through a stone wall, which takes you onto a short pump track and down a grassy slope onto the roads again. A mixture of singletrack and roads takes you back onto Portobello Promenade, where the trail finishes.

Links and Resources

• The official route page
• 2015 Ride Registration
• The official GPS