This regional park 6 miles south of Edinburgh is trail running heaven. There are wonderful, open paths, through meadows, farmland, and up modest but challenging hills. The park is about 30 minutes by car or is reachable via the 101 Bus. This is a great opportunity for a true nature running experience not far from the city. There are 100km of waymarked (signed) paths in the park. We don’t proscribe a particular route here, but here are a few recommended paths. The suggested circular routes are more moderate, between 2-4 miles.
A more challenging route, recommended by Edinburgh Run Tours and adapted from their website, is the 7-mile loop starting at Flotterstone Inn. Climb the trail up Turnhouse Hill (1500 feet), following the sign leading you left towards Scald Law through fields of sheep and cows. Great views. Then, run along the ridge to the summit of Carnethy Hill (573m). Steep. Follow the long descent off Carnethy, dropping down to the right to Loganlea Reservoir where you join a gravel path turning into bitumen. Follow the route of the reservoir and then the Glencorse Reservoir all the way back to the starting point, running in a valley between all the hills.
This regional park 6 miles south of Edinburgh is trail running heaven. There are wonderful, open paths, through meadows, farmland, and up modest but challenging hills. The park is about 30 minutes by car or is reachable via the 101 Bus. This is a great opportunity for a true nature running experience not far from the city. There are 100km of waymarked (signed) paths in the park. We don’t proscribe a particular route here, but here are a few recommended paths. The suggested circular routes are more moderate, between 2-4 miles.
A more challenging route, recommended by Edinburgh Run Tours and adapted from their website, is the 7-mile loop starting at Flotterstone Inn. Climb the trail up Turnhouse Hill (1500 feet), following the sign leading you left towards Scald Law through fields of sheep and cows. Great views. Then, run along the ridge to the summit of Carnethy Hill (573m). Steep. Follow the long descent off Carnethy, dropping down to the right to Loganlea Reservoir where you join a gravel path turning into bitumen. Follow the route of the reservoir and then the Glencorse Reservoir all the way back to the starting point, running in a valley between all the hills.
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Essentials
Depends on route chosen
Hilly!
A good starting point is the Inn near Flotterstone Visitor Center.
A 4 mile 'runseeing' tour of Edinburgh's highlights. Start at Regent Gardens, head up Carlton Hill, then through Princess Gardens up to Castle Rock. The second half features High St./Royal Mile to the Holyrood Palace. It's a hilly run!
A "Highlands" experience a mile from Old Town Edinburgh, this run is a circuit of Holyrood Park. Open spaces, parkland, crags, and the imposing Arthurs Seat, the main mountain in Edinburgh. The route also features sections of Old Town.
Large public park just south of the city center. Wonderful open meadows with about 1.5 miles of paths. Can add another 1/2 mile with adjoining Bruntsfield Links.
Canal-side path that goes about 12 miles between Leith and Balerno. Leith is on the water, about 2 miles north of Edinburgh. Closest pass to central Edinburgh is Royal Botanic Garden. We've included a table with distances between major way points.
A 4-mile pedestrian from the south side of Holyrood Park, to Portobello, through Duddingston Loch. A great standalone run, or can be combined with Holyrood Park, Portobello, and other routes.
A fun spot for trail running 7 miles south of Edinburgh. Enjoy this lovely village, old inn, and Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by the DaVinci Code. The area is a gateway to Pentland Hills Regional Park, with 100 km of trails.
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Essentials
Depends on route chosen
Hilly!
A good starting point is the Inn near Flotterstone Visitor Center.
A more challenging route, recommended by Edinburgh Run Tours and adapted from their website, is the 7-mile loop starting at Flotterstone Inn. Climb the trail up Turnhouse Hill (1500 feet), following the sign leading you left towards Scald Law through fields of sheep and cows. Great views. Then, run along the ridge to the summit of Carnethy Hill (573m). Steep. Follow the long descent off Carnethy, dropping down to the right to Loganlea Reservoir where you join a gravel path turning into bitumen. Follow the route of the reservoir and then the Glencorse Reservoir all the way back to the starting point, running in a valley between all the hills.
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!