7 city walks Edinburgh: best urban trails to stretch your legs during lockdown - from Water of Leith to Corstorphine Hill

How many of these local spots have you visited?

Dean Village on the Water of Leith walkway is a tranquil spot (Shutterstock)

With restaurants, cafes and bars closed during Scotland’s latest lockdown, there’s not much to do in terms of entertainment.

Thankfully, we are lucky enough to live in a city with spectacular views and plenty of green spaces not far from our front doors.

Walking is one of the only weekend activities you can do at the moment, but there’s so much choice in Edinburgh that it never gets old.

Remember, travel restrictions are in place in Scotland and the government guidance is to stay in your local area for exercise.

Without further ado, here’s some of the best city walks you can do in Edinburgh.

Best city walks in Edinburgh

Water of Leith

24 Lanark Rd, Edinburgh EH14 1TQ

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 12 miles

Start point: Multiple locations

If you’re seeking a tranquil Sunday afternoon stroll, look no further than the Water of Leith walkway.

Most locals know about this pathway, but if you don’t then you’re missing out on perhaps the most peaceful walk in the city.

It’s a 12 mile path that meanders through the city from Balerno to Leith, but the best part is that you can join and leave it at any point.

One of the most stunning sections of the route (and probably the one you’ve seen on Instagram) is between Stockbridge and Dean Village, which twists through the New Town.

Blackford Hill

Observatory Rd, Edinburgh EH9 3HJ

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Distance: 2.5 miles

Start point: Blackford Hill Car Park

Fancy a hike but sick of Arthur’s Seat? You need to venture up Blackford Hill.

The city is actually set over seven hills, and Blackford Hill affords magnificent views of the spider web of streets below.

Popular with dog walkers, this 500ft peak looks over Arthur’s Seat, Castle Rock and the Firth of Forth.

You’ll find the Victorian-era Royal Observatory on the hill, too, which is still used to look at space today.

Start at the car park and walk up - but on your descent follow the woodland-lined Braid Burn before returning to the starting point.

Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat

Queen's Dr, Edinburgh EH8 8HG

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 2.75 miles

Start point: Holyrood Park

Everyone wants to climb an extinct volcano, so it's handy that there’s one in Edinburgh in the form of Arthur’s Seat.

You may have looked out at this hill many a time, but how often do you actually get out and climb it?

It’s only 800ft so it’s an easy-to-moderate walk up - and the panoramic views of the city are worth the hike.

A good starting point is Holyrood Park, and you can choose your route up the hill from there.

Be warned, the hill does get busy on weekends, so try and go at a time where there will be less people.

Inverleith Park

Edinburgh EH3 5PA

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 1 mile

Start point: Portgower Place

Edinburgh has its fair share of green parks, with one of the most pleasant being Inverleith.

With Fettes College situated to its west, and the Botanic Gardens to the east, the park lies in a stunning but quiet area of the city.

There’s multiple sports pitches, a children’s play area, a running trail, a secluded sundial garden and a pond which attracts ducks and swans.

The terrain is flat, so a stroll around the park makes for an easy weekend dog walk or coffee spot.

Botanic Gardens

Arboretum Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: N/A

Start point: Royal Botanics

Another peaceful park walk is the Royal Botanic Gardens, situated smack in the middle of Edinburgh.

It’s free to enter into this beautiful 70-acre area, and you can stroll around the big green space admiring the thousands of plant species until your heart’s content.

Again, this is a very easy walk intended as a relaxing stroll rather than an arduous hike.

Due to Covid-19, you need to book a slot before visiting, which can be done via the website.

Union Canal

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Distance: 32 miles

Start point: Fountainbridge

There’s nothing a walk by the water can’t solve, and rivalling the Water of Leith walkway is the route following the 19th century Union Canal.

The canal flows through Fountainbridge all the way to the Falkirk Wheel which lifts boats into the Forth and Clyde Canal.

It’s 32 miles long, so completing the route - originally used for horses carrying coal - in one go would be a mean feat, but you can decide for yourself how much of the canal you want to explore.

The tunnels and bridges on the route offer walkers, joggers and cyclists alike a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Corstorphine Hill

Edinburgh EH12 8WW

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Distance: 2.8 miles

Start point: Queensferry Road

The most westerly of Edinburgh’s seven hills is Corstorphine Hill.

Don’t be fooled by the name, as part of this walk is a stunning woodland path, gradually ascending until you find yourself looking out over the city and across the Forth.

What makes this walk special is its countryside feel, when in reality you’re still in the heart of Edinburgh.

The area can be walked in about an hour, and is the ideal place for a dog walk, but there’s some steep ascents in places so it’s not quite a no-effort stroll.