New routes for 2025!

Our regulars love the classic itinerary and have been coming back for more ever since we launched the ‘Exploro’ and with so much to offer across the Tweed Valley, Liz our local expert has been working hard on an exciting fresh itinerary that will run for the first time in August 2025. Just like our ‘Classic’ trip it will feature four progressive and carefully curated days of riding in the UK’s best destination for singletrack riding.

World-class mountain biking

Each year, the world’s best mountain bikers flock to the Tweed Valley to compete in the Enduro World Series. The Tweed Valley is home to some of the UK’s most exciting, most scenic and most challenging riding. Renowned locations like Glentress and Innerleithen offer a wealth of trails, while the surrounding moors, forests and peaks of the Scottish Borders are waiting to be explored.

The best off-road combination

Marmalade’s Tweed Valley trip blends together the best of both worlds: the famous singletrack  rollercoasters of the trail centres with the unspoiled backcountry trails known only to local experts. And when each day’s riding is done, we relax in our carefully selected cosy accommodation, enabling you to refuel, refresh and hit the next day’s trails ready to roll.

A challenge that’s within reach

Just 90 minutes north of the border, the off-road heaven of the Tweed Valley isn’t far away, giving you and your bike international-level trail bliss without having to leave the UK.

The itineraries are optimised for experienced intermediate riders, giving you your own taste of this amazing landscape. (If you’re looking for advanced-level Tweed Valley thrills, let’s arrange a custom private trip for you and your friends!)

Local expertise

Marmalade’s Scotland specialist is Liz Peacock, a British Cycling Level 3 leader and coach who knows the trails of the Tweed Valley intimately. Liz will guide you, support you and ensure that you see the very best of the Tweed Valley.

Options for advanced riders

These trips are designed to give experienced intermediate riders an opportunity to explore and build their skills. But if you already ride at an advanced level, we would love to show you the best of the Tweed Valley. Let’s arrange a custom experience that’s tailored to you and your riding.

Details for your Tweed Valley MTB weekend trip

We have carefully crafted these four day trips aimed at strong intermediate riders to provide you with the very best format and team to experience the awesome Tweed Valley. Mix this all together with the usual fun and social elements that we are famous for and you have the perfect recipe for an unbeatable experience and lifelong memories.

Full details of our 2025 Tweed Valley trip is below, along with additional information on the other tabs. If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact us.

• Dates:
  • 15 June – 19 June 2025
  • 24 August – 28 August 2025
  • Ride days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
• Places available: 8 (max.)
  • 1:8 ratio of riders to our fully qualified British Cycling Level 3 MTB Leader
• Total price per person: (incl. VAT)
  • Without accommodation = £590
    • We can advise on local campsites and other accommodation providers
  • Single room = £820
  • Standard twin room (shared) = £740
    • See further twin room information and options below
  • Standard twin/double room (single occupancy) = £860
  • Standard double (couples) = £740
• Twin room options:
  • Available for friends who are happy to share
• Payment (booking 60 days or more before trip)
  • 30% deposit on booking, by credit/debit card
  • Balance due 60 days before trip, by bank payment
  • Subject to our standard Terms and Conditions
• Payment (booking less than 60 days before trip)
  • Full balance payable on booking, by credit/debit card
  • Subject to our standard Terms and Conditions

What’s included:

• 4 nights bed and breakfast at the amazing Traquair Arms Hotel
  • B&B: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
    • Single and shared occupancy en-suite rooms available (see above)
    • Additional pre & post trip nights available by booking direct with Traquair Arms Hotel
• 4 fully guided days by Liz Peacock a fully qualified British Cycling Level 3 MTB leader and Level 2 coach

What’s not included:

• Evening meals and drinks
• Travel to (day 1) and from (final day) the accommodation
• Personal health, activity and holiday insurance
  • The above is a requirement for your participation on this trip
• Bike hire (options available – please contact us)
• Bike spares
• Ride day lunches, snacks and drinks

To read the full terms and conditions please visit them here. Thank you.

These routes can be ridden on all kinds of mountain bike depending on your personal choice. In the right hands hardtail bikes would be sufficient, and we increasingly see e-bikes in our groups – as well as full suspension trail and enduro bikes. All are welcome. Each climb, and each descent, is taken at the speed that’s right for you, and we manage our groups carefully to ensure no-one feels left behind.

Ideally, you will have your own suitable full suspension modern ‘all mountain’ / ‘trail’ mountain bike:

• 120 mm of suspension travel with modern geometry is the bare minimal for this trip
• 140-160 mm of suspension travel on an ‘all-mountain’ / ‘trail’ bike would be perfect
• Electric mountain bikes are welcome
• Hybrid and budget bicycles are not suitable for this 4 day trip

• You will be at least a strong and experienced intermediate rider with a minimum of 2-3 years regular mountain biking experience
• The above experience would include example routes and locations that you have successfully ridden such as:
  • Jacobs ladder in the Peak District
  • The Trans Cambrian Way and the Elan Valley
  • The Gap in the Brecon Beacons
  • Technical red trails with some black features in places like Bike Park Wales, Afan and Coed-y-Brenin
• You will have confident in your bike handling skills and not be phased by steep, technical and long trails that would be graded predominantly red with some black sections
• The trails will include features such as roots, small to medium committing roll-able drop-offs and slopes with loose rocks of varying sizes
  • Your professional Level 3 MTB leaders will dynamically manage the group and individuals during each day. There will not be any pressure to ride features or sections above your riding ability on the day
• You have your own suitable full suspension modern ‘all mountain’ / ‘trail’ mountain bike
  • 120 mm of suspension travel with modern and aggressive geometry is the bare minimal for this trip
  • 140-160 mm of suspension travel on an ‘all-mountain’ / ‘trail’ bike would be perfect
  • Hybrid and budget bicycles are not suitable for this 3 day trip
• The ride does contain many undulating and moderately steep, technical and long climbs
• You have the personal fitness to ride for at least 6-8 hours on consecutive days at a social and comfortable pace
• You are aged 18 and over unless accompanied by an adult also participating on this ride
• If this sounds a little beyond your current skill and fitness level, then please do contact us for further discussion

June: The Classic Exploro

Day One: Glentress Warm Up & Coaching

• Duration: 3-5 hours *
• Distance: 24 mi | 39 km *
• Elevation gain: 2,635 ft | 805 *
• Technical Grade: Experienced intermediate (minimum)

Day 1 is all about shaking off the journey and giving you a warm-up that will ready you for the rest of the week. Glentress is our starting point – probably the most famous trail centre in Scotland. We spend the day exploring the serpentine singletrack, using our knowledge of the off-piste trails to cherry-pick the best sections.

We add some focussed coaching to refresh your skills with the kind of techniques you’ll find yourself relying upon later in the week.

Day Two: A day in the wilds

• Duration: 5-7 hours ride time *
• Distance: 23 mi | 37 km *
• Elevation gain: 3,195 ft | 974m *
• Technical Grade: Experienced intermediate (minimum)

We take you off the beaten track, with a 37km off-road loop that starts with a climb through Traquair Forest to Minch Moor and then across to the Three Brethren. Then we visit Yair Forest with its awesome natural singletrack, ahead of the return to Innerleithen, where the matrix of rocky trails brings us home smiling.

Day Three: Exploring Innerleithen

• Duration: 3-5 hours ride time *
• Distance: 11 mi | 18 km *
• Elevation gain: 2,070 ft | 631 m *
• Technical Grade: Experienced intermediate (minimum)

Innerleithen has so much to offer, so today we truly explore this off-road paradise. We combine the best trail centre sections with our own ‘off-piste’ options, full of flow and opportunities to take your riding to the next level. All the time, we keep a careful eye on your biking, fine-tuning the day’s challenges to hit the right level for the group.

Day Four: Golfie goodness

• Duration: 3-5 hours ride time *
• Distance: 24 mi | 15 km *
• Elevation gain:  2,550 ft | 777 m *
• Technical Grade: Experienced intermediate (minimum)

We save the best for last, with a trip to Caberston Forest – known to local bikers as the ‘Golfie’. By now, you’ve built the skills and confidence to feel at home sampling some of the Tweed Valley’s more advanced options – and with Liz’s careful guidance, you’ll experience the satisfaction of riding trails that just a few days ago might have felt our of reach for intermediate riders.

August: New – Exploro 2

Just like the established ‘Classic’ the Exploro2 will be aimed at experienced intermediate riders who have a desire to challenge themselves on the long and twisting trails of this famous valley. Liz is putting the final touches to her revised routes. Be rest assured, the ride stats, fun factor and adventure will be just as good as the ‘Classic’ and we will be based again at the amazing Traquair Arms for the all important rest, drink and hearty local food.
Coming soon… all the details will be published on this page!

Minimum of 2-3 years mountain biking experience with regular experience on steep, technical and natural trails

See ‘Is this for me tab’

Any questions, please contact us

* for each day the distances and elevation gain will depend on weather and the overall riding level of the group. As ever our rides will be sociable and relaxed which will dictate how much climbing and different trails we fit in, especially on Day 1, 3 and 4. This is big country and we appreciate we need to look after our legs, therefore to maximise the smiles we will take all day if required to pace ourselves

Equipment, kit and clothing

Essentials:

• Suitable mountain bike in good working order
• Helmet (in good condition, with no damage)
• Clothing and shoes appropriate for cycling and weather conditions on the day
• Personal choice of drink and ride snacks
• Spare rear mech hanger specific for your bike

Recommended:

• Gloves
• Glasses, sunglasses or eyeshields
• Hydration backpack (min. 2 liters)
• Spare inner tubes
• Spare spokes specific to your bike wheels
• Puncture repair kit and bicycle pump
• Padded cycling shorts for comfort

What’s not included

• Bike hire – this can be booked with one our recommended local partners
• Personal clothing & equipment
• Pre, during or post activity refreshments
• Personal travel or accident Insurance

The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Marmalade MTB – 5559, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:

• Non-flight packages

ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package.  Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Marmalade MTB.  

In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.

You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here:  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made 

You can find out more about ABTOT here: https://www.abtot.com/