Glentress Forest Buzzard's Nest Trail
Scottish Borders
Glentress is the best known forest in the Tweed Valley Forest Park, a big spread of conifer plantation on the hills just east of Peebles run by Forestry and Land Scotland and famous as a mountain biking centre. With no farm livestock here, dogs can range off lead on the quieter upper trails, though the busy mountain bike routes call for a lead near the Gateway. The yellow Buzzard's Nest Trail is the longest of the waymarked loops from the Glentress Gateway. It covers 7.6km, starting on the shared Multi-user Trail past the cafe and the Glentress ponds, then climbing through characterful stands of Scots pine, Douglas fir and Norway spruce to the upper Buzzard's Nest car park and the slopes of Cardie Hill, where there are good views across the Tweed valley. Forestry and Land Scotland grades it strenuous, with firm gravel and earth with loose, uneven sections, a long steep climb and some steps.
This dog friendly walk is a good choice for dogs that need a proper run without sheep to worry about, as the route stays inside the forest the whole way. There is moderate off-lead potential on the quieter upper paths, but the trails cross forest roads and mountain bike routes, so keep your dog close at every crossing and near the busy Gateway area. The ponds and the Glentress Burn give water on the lower part of the loop, and the trees provide shade in summer. Parking at the Gateway is charged, and there are toilets and a cafe at the start.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.6 km (4.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Forest, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Cafe, toilets and accessible facilities at Glentress Gateway and the Peel.
- Parking
- Glentress Gateway car parks off the A72, Forestry and Land Scotland, charged; Buzzard's Nest car park higher up.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Glentress Forest Buzzard's Nest Trail, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Byre At Brothershiels
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £673 / 7 nights
The Old Post Office - Hawick
Sleeps 2 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £457 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in Scottish BordersFrequently Asked Questions
Is Glentress Forest Buzzard's Nest Trail dog friendly?
Yes, and it scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The whole loop is in forest with no farm livestock, there is water at the ponds and the burn, and the tree cover keeps dogs cool in summer. The one real caveat is Glentress's popularity with mountain bikers, which means paying attention at trail crossings and around the busy Gateway at the start.
Can dogs be off lead at Glentress Forest Buzzard's Nest Trail?
Yes, in places. With no sheep or cattle in the forest, a dog with reliable recall can usually be let off on the quieter upper paths around Buzzard's Nest and Cardie Hill. Keep your dog on a lead around the Gateway, cafe and ponds, where it is busy, and at every point where the path crosses a forest road or a mountain bike trail. Deer live in the forest, so recall matters.
What should I know before visiting Glentress Forest Buzzard's Nest Trail with my dog?
The Buzzard's Nest Trail is graded strenuous by Forestry and Land Scotland, with a long steep climb, loose surfaces, some steps and narrow openings, so allow around three hours. All the trails cross forest roads, so look out for vehicles and bikes. Parking at the Glentress Gateway is charged. Toilets and a cafe are at the start. For a shorter outing, the Ponds Trail is 2.6km on firm gravel.
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