Innerleithen XC Trail – Old Peel Road loop from Traquair
Innerleithen XC Trail – Old Peel Road loop from Traquair
4.0
(2)
42
riders
Innerleithen XC Trail – Old Peel Road loop from Traquair
01:26
31.9km
320m
Road cycling
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: May 10, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
881 m
Traquair House
Highlight • Historical Site
It's a magnificent building with equally magnificent gardens. You can access the house from the road here, but do keep in mind it is only open to the public seasonally, between March and October. You can find information on prices and daily opening times here traquair.co.uk/visitor-information
Tip by
893 m
Stone Bridge with Gateposts
Highlight • Bridge
Tip by
1.58 km
Innerleithen XC Trail
Highlight • Forest
A lung-burning switchback climb right from the start to lead you through the trees up to the top of Minch Moor.
Some great singletrack descents with a few black options bring you to the Caddon bank descent with its drop offs, berms and rollers.
Well worth the effort for the views from Minch moor and a great trail to test your skills on.
Tip by
7.94 km
Tip by
9.33 km
Innerleithen to Galashiels Back Road
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
11.2 km
View of Elibank Castle
Highlight • Castle
In 1511 Elibank, or Eliburn as it was then, was in the hands of the Liddale family. However the ruined building that we see today was probably built by Sir Gideon Murray of Glenpoit who acquired Elibank from John Liddell of Halkerstone in 1594-5. The castle was already a ruin in 1722.
Elibank is reputed to be the home of “Muckle Mouth Meg”. In the waning years of the 16th century, the Laird of Eliburn despaired of finding his daughter Meg a husband as she was no beauty and was not called “muckle mouth” without reason.
One moonless night towards the turn of the old year the laird and his household were alerted by cries and a shot from the darkness beyond the castle. The laird, careful of his cattle and goods, and being no stranger to the ways of Reivers himself, kept a watch who had surprised a band of rogues that had forced a way into his barnekin and were attempting to drive off his livestock. In the ensuing confusion the laird’s men captured one of the thieves and flung him into the dank dungeon below the castle floor. In the morning the prisoner was brought before the laird, who evidently thought the lad worthwhile, and offered him a choice. He could hang or he could marry Meg.
Horrified at the prospect of marrying Meg, for her fame was widespread, the lad chose the gallows. Meg’s father was not to be cheated of a husband for his daughter however, so he returned the unwilling suitor to the evil prison cell to reconsider. The lad, who it turned out, was Walter Scott from nearby Ettrick eventually reconsidered his choice and he and Meg were married. Surprisingly enough it seems that he and Muckle Mouth Meg got along well, she mellowed and he settled down and the marriage was something of a success in the end.
Tip by
18.3 km
River Tweed
Highlight • Other
19.3 km
Old Peel Road
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
The road follows the River Tweed from Innerleithen, past Walkerburn, carving around Ashiesteel Hill, South Height, Elibank Law and the Plora Rig hills. The views are simply fantastic here.
Tip by
31.9 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
27.7 km
2.87 km
1.14 km
144 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
31.4 km
287 m
186 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (180 m)
Lowest point (120 m)
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Weather
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Sunday 24 May
23°C
8°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.