more stats
4,201 ft
Distance
497 ft
Climb
-19 ft
Descent
00:10:44
Avg time
478 ft
Altitude change
869 ft
Altitude min
1,346 ft
Altitude max
869 ft
Altitude start
1,346 ft
Altitude end
11.369%
Grade
-4.871%
Grade max
27.263%
Grade min
3,862 ft
Distance climb
260 ft
Distance down
79 ft
Distance flat
00:10:44
Avg time

Switchbacks Details

  • Activities
    • Hike
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Gravel Bike
    • Winter Fat Bike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Elibank
    Walkerburn
  • AKA
    Merida Switchbacks
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Local Popularity
    80 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 85 in E-Biking
    • 70 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
    • 5 in Winter Fat Biking
    • 5 in Gravel Biking
  • Global Ranking
    #101783 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #94335 in E-Biking
    • #50034 in Trail Running
    • #102632 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC, Fat, Gravel
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1

No community description for Switchbacks trail has been added yet!

AI Generated Description

Switchbacks is a 1 km popular blue difficulty singletrack trail located near Walkerburn. This hike primary trail can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating with a 151 m blue climb. Trail visibility is always easy to follow. On average it takes 10 minutes to complete this trail.

This trail is unsanctioned.

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 3 rides
  • 22 miles avg distance
All
  • 27 rides
  • Last: Sep 20, 2026
update trails status or condition

Switchbacks Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Apr 21, 2026 @ 1:40pm (Europe/London)
Apr 21, 2026
 The top is blocked again. Passable but might not be for long if it's windy.
Apr 27, 2025 @ 3:26am
Apr 27, 2025
Jul 5, 2024 @ 3:06pm
Jul 5, 2024
Need to get off the bike and duck under trees in two places, but passable. Top two switchbacks are cleared of trees.
Jan 26, 2024 @ 6:15am
Jan 26, 2024
 Top of the trail has lots of fallen and hanging trees. Impassible.
Dec 17, 2023 @ 10:43am
Dec 17, 2023
 Forestry sign at the bottom stating closed due to Forestry works, which are at the top. 2 trees down right near the top but can be walked around
more »
Status:
on Apr 21, 2026
Avg: 3.99 (3 votes)
Your vote: 0

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      Directions to switchbacks-46445 trailhead (55.606051, -2.946948)
      View on Discover Map

      Photos

      2 more »
      report
      mtb
      50 |
      Apr 21, 2026 @ 5:40am
      Apr 21, 2026
      report
      mtb
      95 |
      Apr 14, 2022 @ 9:29am
      Apr 14, 2022

      Videos

      no videos have been added for Switchbacks yet, add a video.

      Routes with this trail

      115
      Big Beastie Featured
      ★ 5.0 • 50 miles • 9,176 ft • 26 • Point to Point •
      Unofficial Point to Point route taking in some of the best, and most technical singletrack of the Tweed...
      6
      Downstream Beastie
      34 miles • 6,537 ft • 14 • Loop •
      Nice variation on the classic 'Beastie' route in the tweed valley by departing on the SUW and heading over...
      90
      Big Beastie
      52 miles • 10,606 ft • 30 • Point to Point •
      Big Beastie route. One for the fitter riders
      4.0 ★★★★★
      3 Ratings
      5 ★
      4 ★ 100%
      3 ★
      2 ★
      1 ★

      3 Reviews & Comments

      kennyhenderson99
      Looks rough at the top but running in perfect condition
      anguscroudace
      Very well built switchbacks. reminds me of a trail centre climb, except it's not completely worn out! Fun on the way up and shreddable as a descent too (I did it on a gravel bike)

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      Nearby Trails

      Elibank

      • #46445 - 1,479 views

      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Switchbacks located?
      Switchbacks is located in Elibank, Walkerburn, United Kingdom. It is part of the Elibank trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 55.60605, -2.94695.
      ▼ How hard is Switchbacks?
      Switchbacks is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 11.369%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Switchbacks?
      Switchbacks has 497 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 19 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 869 ft to 1,346 ft.
      ▼ Is Switchbacks a point to point trail?
      Switchbacks is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ How long is Switchbacks?
      Switchbacks is 4,201 ft long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Switchbacks?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on Switchbacks. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ How do I access Switchbacks? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Switchbacks are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride Switchbacks?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 14 minutes to ride Switchbacks. The trail is 4,201 ft long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is Switchbacks?
      Switchbacks is a very popular trail. There have been 400 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 398 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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