Innerleithen XC Trail – River Tweed loop from Clovenfords
Innerleithen XC Trail – River Tweed loop from Clovenfords
5.0
(2)
51
riders
Innerleithen XC Trail – River Tweed loop from Clovenfords
02:00
33.0km
290m
Cycling
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: August 21, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
5.28 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
14.9 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
16.2 km
Tweed Valley Railway Path
Highlight • Climb
Tip by
16.7 km
Tweed Valley Near Innerleithen
Highlight • River
16.9 km
No1 Peebles Road Café
Highlight • Cafe
Find them at: no1peeblesroad.coffee
Tip by
18.3 km
Blue Bridge over the River Tweed
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
18.9 km
River Tweed
Highlight • River
Tip by
26.3 km
Elibank Craig Road
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
33.0 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
24.3 km
5.58 km
2.71 km
482 m
Surfaces
31.8 km
1.21 km
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Elevation
Highest point (180 m)
Lowest point (120 m)
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Weather
Powered by Foreca
Sunday 30 August
19°C
11°C
64 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 26.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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