Water of Leith
Go to online mappingFrom - to: Balerno to Edinburgh
Type: Towpath and railway path, mostly traffic-free (on-road links to stations at either end) and mostly downhill
Access: Railway stations at Curriehill, Kirknewton, Kingsknowe and central Edinburgh
Surface: Gravel and tarmac
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The ride begins at Balerno High School, which can be reached via quiet roads from the stations at Curriehill or Kirknewton. Here you join the traffic-free route beside the Water of Leith, whose waters rise in the Pentland Hills and flow into the Firth of Forth at Leith.
The river is a peaceful green space where wildlife flourishes - if you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of kingfishers and otters.
At Colinton you follow the old railway line through a long tunnel, and at Slateford aqueduct the route joins the Union Canal into Edinburgh where you emerge at Fountainbridge.
Download a ride description sheet.
Local attractions:
Bike hire:
- Leith Cycle Company
- Bike Trax, Tollcross
- Cycle Scotland, Edinburgh