A perfect place to wander, an easy place to put our best foot forward while escaping the City lights. Here is a comprehensive guide to have magnificent walks in and around Edinburgh that will surely take your breath away.
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Best Hikes in Edinburgh
1.Arthur’s Seat
An iconic landmark situated in the center of Edinburgh that gives you a breathtaking view from the summit. Suitable to all ages from casual walkers, joggers, hikers to dog walkers. The most direct and easiest route is from Dunsapie Loch. Approach the summit from the east along either of the two paths starting at the car park. This is an easy stroll that takes only 15 minutes to reach the summit if you’re reasonably fit. If you want to start at the Palace of Holyrood, just follow the Radical Road and footpath to St. Anthony’s Chapel and head up to the well-marked path link with the paths coming from the east side of the hill. From there, continue over to the volcanic rock to the summit of Arthur’s Seat. For more quiet and leisurely walks, Whinny Hill, Crow Hill, and Nether Hill can serve as alternative routes.
Time Required: one to two hours
Height: 251 above sea level
Difficulty: Moderate
Start/Finish Points: Dunsapie Loch, Palace of Holyrood, Whinny Hill, Crow Hill, and Nether Hill
2.Water of Leith Walkway
A beautiful and stunning twelve- and three-quarter mile walk through the heart of Edinburgh with the River Leith as your mate. Leaving you with gentle walk tour with diverse plants and wildlife like trout, herons, and otters while passing through various areas of interest like Colinton Village, the Union Canal, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art, Dean Village, Stockbridge, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Fit for regular walkers who wants to walk a few miles and to those persons with wheelchairs. Gives you and your family an enjoyable stroll away from the noisy and busy crowd.
Time Required: seven to nine hours
Distance: twelve- and three-quarter miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Start/Finish Points: Village of Balerno
3.Blackford Hill
A wild and wind-swept hill considered as one of the highest peaks in Edinburgh giving you a view match for any of the better-known hills. An easy to moderate walk tour as its terrain is consisting of woodland and grassy paths, and can be quite muddy in places but rewarded by the scenery and outstanding views from the top. Perfect for all walkers of all ages and is popular to dog walkers. This is best reached by public transportation.Take the bus to Comiston Road and get off by the church near the junction with heading along Braidburn Terrace and then turn right onto Braid Road. The walk itself then begins on a path on the left into the wooded glen of the Hermitage of Braid.
Time Required: 1.5 hours
Distance: 4.25 km/2.75 miles
Difficulty: Easy to moderate walk
Start/Finish Points: Braid Road
4.Braid Hills
The southernmost of Edinburgh’s famous seven hills situated near the Comiston Road largely occupied by golf courses. A long steady climb and easy to moderate walk to reach its summit with 213m high above sea level for a fascinating panorama view. Some steep sections are present in the area but is suitable for all walkers of all ages and dog walkers also.
Time Required: 1.5 hours
Distance: 4.25 km/2.75 miles
Difficulty: Easy to moderate walk
Start/Finish Points: Braid Road
5.Inverleith Park
“An oasis of green in the heart of Edinburgh”. Green and spacious park situated beside the Royal Botanic Gardens the in the northern part of the city. It is on high ground boasting great views of the city. A gentle walk perfect for family outings while enjoying a picturesque stroll down the tree-lined paths, watch a sports game at one of the many pitches or sit by the pond and watch the swans, a play park for children and is the best place to watch the fireworks from the Castle at Hogmanay and during the Festival.
Time Required: 7 minutes
Distance: 530 meters
Difficulty: Easy
Start/Finish Points: Stockbridge
6.Dean Village
Charming, picturesque and stunning village featuring a beautiful bridge that takes you back in time. A Beautiful, peaceful and tranquil walk perfect for everyone who wants to leave the busy city life for a while. A mild, short and gentle stroll from Stockbridge that takes you to the New Town and a beautiful Georgian architecture to reach the National Galleries of Scotland. The walk returns along the Water of Leith, passing through a deep gorge and the beautiful Dean Village.
Time Required: 10 minutes
Distance: Half-mile walk
Difficulty: Easy
Start/Finish Points: Charlotte Square
7.Pentland Hills
This Pentland Hills gives a fantastic day in the hills – and it is just outside Edinburgh. Perfect for those who want a moderate to challenging walk tour. The Pentlands are a range of 5 hills or peaks to the south-west of Edinburgh, around 20 miles in length, and runs south west from Edinburgh towards Biggar giving you are very romantic scenery. One of the best walks starts at the picturesque Swanston Village and the easiest walk is from the car park at the Flotterstone Inn. Reasonably fit for walkers of all ages but requires stamina if tackling the longer sections. Dog walkers are also welcome.
Time Required: 5 hours
Distance: 16 km
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging walk
Start/Finish Points: Flotterstone Inn
A comprehensive guide to be stress-free and lets you breathe for a while. Get on your shoes and trek to the thrilling and exciting hikes in and around Edinburgh.
8.The Pentlands
A 579 meter incredibly large and beautiful hills rise majestically to the south of Edinburgh. Perfect for people who want to hop, skip, and jump away from the centre of the city. Those who like a bit of ridge walking can take on Carnethy Hill, Scald Law, and the Kips. In order to fully appreciate the stunning panoramic views, head to Allermuir Hill. Those who like to get lost and venture off the map can pick any place on the Pentlands. The route starts at the car park behind the Flotterstone Inn. If you’ve got a car they’re a 20-minute drive from the city and you can drive to Flotterstone, Threipmuir or right up to the Harlaw reservoirs to get a head start if you want to.
Time Required: three hours
Height: 579 metres
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging hike
Start/Finish Points: Flotterstone Inn
9.North Berwick Law
An impressive and striking hill and volcanic plug of hard rock with a breathtaking beautiful view from the summit. Take the train to the picturesque seaside town of North Berwick and don’t stop walking until you reach North Berwick Law. As for its terrain, the ground is relatively clear and a grassy pathway that wraps the hill. Set your sights on the Bass Rock — a famous seabird sanctuary in the middle of the sea — and catch a glimpse of Edinburgh and the Pentlands from a different perspective. The replica whale jawbones (which were once real) offer a unique Kodak moment. Offers excellent views of the Forth Islands, and across Fife, the Lothians and beyond
Time Required: 20 minutes
Height: 187 m
Difficulty: moderate
Start/Finish Points: Law Primary School and North Berwick Sports Centre
10.Arthur’s Seat
Impressively prime pick for a proper adventure, the Arthur’s seat. Its peak is a great place to see the sunset over the city, with great views of Edinburgh castle, the Pentlands, Calton Hill, and the entire old and new town.
Time Required: one to two hours
Height: 251 metres
Difficulty: Moderate
Start/Finish Points: Holyrood
• Arthurs Seat – Arthur’s Seat Loop from Abbeyhill
Time Required: one hour and forty-even minutes
Height: 725 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • St Giles’ Cathedral – Calton Hill Loop from Edinburgh Waverley
Time Required: two hours and a half
Height: 450 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Arthur’s Seat – Grass market Loop from Start
Time Required: three hours
Height: 825 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Scald Law Loop from Balerno
Time Required: four hours and thirty-six minutes
Height: 1425 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Arthur’s Seat – Arthurs Seat Loop from Start
Time Required: one hour and twenty-three minutes
Height: 600 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Allemuir Hill Loop from Start
Time Required: two hours and eight minutes
Height: 1050 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Hiking Loop from Balerno
Time Required: almost four hours
Height: 675 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Scott Monument – Edinburgh | New Town Loop from Edinburgh Waverley
Time Required: one hour and eight minutes
Height: 150 ft
Difficulty: Easy
- • Arthurs Seat – Arthur’s Seat Loop from Craigentinny/Meadowbank
Time Required: one hour and thirty-seven minutes
Height: 625 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Grass market – Calton Hill Loop from Haymarket
Time Required: four and twenty-six minutes
Height: 700 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Arthurs Seat – Arthur’s Seat Loop from Start
Time Required: one hour and thirty-four minutes
Height: 600 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Arthur’s Seat – Arthur’s Seat Loop from Abbeyhill
Time Required: almost two hours
Height: 675 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Arthur’s Seat – Arthur’s Seat Loop from Old Town
Time Required: two hours and thirteen minutes
Height: 775 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Grass market – Greyfriar’s Bobby Loop from Edinburgh Waverley\
Time Required: one hour and forty-six minutes
Height: 275 ft
Difficulty: Easy
- • Arthur’s Seat – Arthurs Seat Loop from Start
Time Required: one hour and thirty-three minutes
Height: 550 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Arthur’s Seat – Arthurs Seat Loop from Start
Time Required: two hours and seven minutes
Height: 775 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Arthur’s Seat – Arthurs Seat Loop from Start
Time Required: almost two hours
Height: 650 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Nelson Monument – Calton Hill Lop from Edinburgh Waverley
Time Required: two hours and thirty minutes
Height: 550 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
- • Scott Monument – St. Gile’s Cathedral Loop from Start
Time Required: one hour
Height: 125 ft
Difficulty: Easy
• Arthur’s Seat – Arthurs Seat Loop from Start
Time Required: almost two hours
Height: 750 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
11.Cockleroy Hill
A magnificent viewpoint with a commanding view over the entire Forth Valley that gives a divine view. Expect to see Linlithgow, the loch, palace, and kirk and a clear day both Goat Fell on the Isle of Arran and Bass Rock off North Berwick can be seen too. Go to West Lothian and you’ll come across Beecraigs Country Park and the Bathgate Hills. Start at the car park, stroll through the wee woods, and begin the climb of Cockleroy. Perfect pick for those who want the feeling of a hike without a military-style workout. Its terrain is very manageable, with some forest paths and grassy areas.
Time Required: two to three hours
Height: 278 metres
Difficulty: easy
Start/Finish Points: Car park on minor road just over a mile south of Linlithgow
12.Garleton Hills
Photo by Keith Burns
A one good spot for a brief hike near Haddington. Start at the car park to get on to the extremely steep ascent for one to two hours. When the summit is reached, prepare to be enthralled by the Hopetoun Monument, or Garleton Monument. Those who are unfazed by heights or pokey spaces can climb the 132 stone steps for a panoramic view and the 360-degree view is a little piece of heaven on earth.
Time Required: one to two hours
Height: 186 m
Difficulty:
Start/Finish Points: Athelstaneford Primary School
13.Traprain Law
Another appealing hiking spots on the outskirts of Edinburgh in the East Lothian. Traprain Law is another appealing hiking spot on the outskirts of Edinburgh in East Lothian. This beautiful hill is hardly steep but completely manageable for not-so-seasoned hikers. Expect grassy earth paths with a rocky outcrop. The climb is short and the summit offers magnificent panoramic views over the local area and beyond.
Time Required: one hour
Height: 221 metres
Difficulty: moderate
Start/Finish Points: Dedicated carpark 6km east of Haddington