Five of the Best Walks Around Edinburgh

“Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful and intriguing cities in the world. In addition to its festivals, dining and historic sites, it also boasts some incredible gardens, promenades and passageways for scenic walks to get in touch with the city. Here are 5 of the best walks around Edinburgh.

1. The Royal Mile
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If you’re looking for a short walk in Edinburgh, the Royal Mile is the perfect excursion. The Royal Mile encompasses several streets that form the main thoroughfare of Old Town. It begins at the Edinburgh Castle and ends at the Holyrood Palace for a total of 1 mile, which is how it got its name.

On Castlehill, the first of the streets, you’ll pass monuments like the Cannonball House, which has a cannonball stuck in its wall, Comiston Springs, a spring that fed a cistern and formed the first water supply in Scotland, and the Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland. On Lawnmarkt, you’ll pass Gladstone’s Land, a 17th-century merchant townhouse, the George IV Bridge, the Mound and the headquarters of the Bank of Scotland. On High Street, you’ll pass Parliament Square, which includes the Court of Session and St Giles’ Cathedral. Canongate has the new Scottish Parliament Building and the Kirk of Canongate, while Abbey Strange has the house of Lucky Spence, a famous brothel madam, and the Queen’s Gallery, which has exhibits from the Royal collection.

Along the Royal Mile, you’ll also pass shops, pubs and restaurants where you can stop for refreshments or shopping.

2. Arthurs Seat
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Arthurs Seat is an iconic landmark and the highest peak in Edinburgh. The dormant volcano is located in the centre of Edinburgh within a mile of the castle and offers stunning views of the landscape. One of the best aspects of hiking to Arthurs Seat is that there are a number of trails you can take, all ranging in difficulty, to ensure that you have a pleasant experience. There are separate paths for walking and jogging, and you’re welcome to bring leashed dogs along with you.

Dunsape Loch offers the most direct route to the summit from the east, but it’s best suited to experienced individuals. You could also take Radical Road to a path near St Anthony’s Chapel to reach a marked trail that connects with paths on the east side. This trail takes you over volcanic rock, however, and can be challenging for some people. For a leisurely walk, take Crow Hill, Whinny Hill or Nether Hill, all of which are less strenuous.

3. Hermitage of Braid
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The Hermitage of Braid is one of the best walks in the city as it passes so many historic and natural attractions. The path starts at Braid Road and travels through Blackford Hill, Braid Burn and Braid Hills. At the end of the path, you’ll climb the easy hill to check out spectacular views of Edinburgh. You’ll also pass the Blackford Hill Nature Reserve, a beautiful natural area with an array of native wildlife. The walk is leisurely, but keep in mind that there can be winding paths, undulating terrain, grass-covered paths and slippery surfaces, so it’s not suitable for those with mobility issues. You can obtain a detailed itinerary and maps here.

4. Royal Botanic Garden
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The Royal Botanic Garden is an enchanting space with glistening waterways, harmonious birds and vibrant greenery. Walking around the Royal Botanic Garden is a light walk and ideal for all skill levels, so you can take your time to explore its vast plant collections from all over the world, including rainforest exotics, ferns and fossils, Chinese native plants, alpine plants, tropical palms and growth from the wet tropics. You’ll also see peat walls, a rock garden, a woodland garden and the Queen Mother’s memorial.

The garden spans 50 hectares and offers guided tours to see all the collections and learn about the different plants, conservation efforts and history of the facility. The garden has seating areas, mobility scooters and wheelchairs for hire, toilets in the visitor centres, garden and restaurants and a hearing loop for accessibility. Assistance dogs are allowed into the garden and there’s water available at the restaurants. Here is a map of the garden to use to plan your route.

5. Water of Leith
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Adventurers will like the Water of Leith pathway, though the hike itself is suitable for all skill levels. The water refers to the main river in the city that flows to the Firth of Forth. Starting at Balerno, you can follow the river almost 13 miles to Leith for a scenic stroll in the woodland. Throughout the walk, you’ll encounter all manner of wildlife, such as otters and heron. Many landmarks lie along the path as well, such as Colinton Village, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art, Stockbridge and the Royal Botanic Gardens. You can obtain a map and detailed itinerary here or from the visitor centre.

Ready for your trip?
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If you’re planning a trip to Edinburgh, be sure to include one of these walks into your travel itinerary to get the most of your time in the city. Visit Expedia to check out deals on Edinburgh hotels and prepare for your adventure!”