22.9 miles
Distance
3,448 ft
Climb
-3,435 ft
Descent
1,850 ft
High Point
11 ft
Altitude change
404 ft
Altitude min
453 ft
Altitude start
463 ft
Altitude end
-94.6%
Grade max
67%
Grade min
12 miles
Distance climb
9 miles
Distance down
2 miles
Distance flat

Out through Innerleithen via Minch Moor, over the Southern Upland way to the Three Brethren. This is all cross country with a fair bit of climbing. The hills are very exposed once you get away from the area where the trail centre is.
Once you arrive at the Three Brethren there are numerous routes down through Yair Forest to the cycle route at the bottom.
This particular route follows some of the harder, technical descents in Yair, but you could easily go down the fire road, or various other way marked paths.
The return route is on tarmac and relatively easy going.

Detailed Description
Three Brethren is a 23 mile popular intermediate route located near Innerleithen. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a hard overall physical rating. This route includes 18 trails. This route climbs 3,448 ft with a max elevation of 1,850 ft then descends -3,435 ft.

Trail Issues on Route

  • Closed: 2 trails (newest: Jul 25, 2026)
  • Significant Issue / Amber: 3 trails (newest: Dec 20, 2025)
Bike Park

Stats

  • Distance
    23 miles
  • Avg time
    2 hr 36 min
  • Altitude min
    404 ft
  • Altitude start
    453 ft
  • Altitude end
    463 ft
  • Climb
    3,448 ft
  • Descent
    -3,435 ft
  • Grade max
    -94.6%
  • Grade min
    67%
  • Distance climb
    12 miles
  • Distance down
    9 miles
  • Distance flat
    2 miles

9 Reviews & Comments


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Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • Bike type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    One Direction
  • Physical rating
    Hard
  • Activity Logs
    8
Avg: 2.8 (5 votes)
close
Trail transparency
  • Singletrack
  • Unpaved
mtb
58
mtb
53
mtb
68
mtb
trail: Matador
129
Matador At Innerleithen
mtb
Matador At Innerleithen
trail: Matador
3:21 | 332 | comments: 0 | favs:
Jan 3, 2025
Matador, Cresta and IXS at Innerleithen
mtb
Matador, Cresta and IXS at Innerleithen
trail: Matador
8:54 | 213 | comments: 0 | favs:
Dec 30, 2024

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Forest Road
Jul 25, 2026 @ 11:33am (Europe/London)
Jul 25, 2026
Lead Mine Path
Jul 24, 2026 @ 10:58am (Europe/London)
Jul 24, 2026
Minch Moor Descent
Jul 24, 2026 @ 10:58am (Europe/London)
Jul 24, 2026
Access Track
Jul 24, 2026 @ 10:58am (Europe/London)
Jul 24, 2026
Minch Moor Climb
Jul 24, 2026 @ 10:58am (Europe/London)
Jul 24, 2026
more reports »
  • By vicki-a & contributors
  • #3288 - 11,314 views

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