Walks in Scotland by train

Moderate climb to Dumyat, the landmark peak at the western Ochils, through mixed woodland and a rhododendron tunnel, with summit views to the Wallace Monument.

Dumyat: A prominent peak at the western end of the Ochil Hills offering outstanding panoramic views over Strathallan and the Forth valley.

Time: 4h30

Warnings: A moderate hill climb with steep, occasionally slippery paths and crag edges; take care on the descent.

Walk details: Strathallan Community Rail Partnership (PDF).

Rural Union Canal towpath: the Avon Aqueduct (Scotland's longest and tallest) and the 630m Falkirk Tunnel (Scotland's longest); good for wildflowers.

Warnings: Towpath can be muddy; suitable footwear advised.

Walk details: ScotRail (tips).

Scenic coastal walk on the Fife Coastal Path beneath the iconic Forth Bridge, through charming towns including Aberdour with its harbour and sandy beach, on to Burntisland.

Warnings: Exposed to coastal weather; pack layers and waterproofs.

Walk details: ScotRail (tips).

Easy, flat Kelvin Walkway and Forth & Clyde Canal towpath out of Glasgow, Kelvin Aqueduct to Bowling, through varied landscape and habitat.

Warnings: Towpath can be slippery after rain; good footwear advised.

Walk details: ScotRail (tips).

Recommended: Urban walk with some climbing, through parkland with views over the city, and along Portobello promenade.

Time: 3h–5h30

Warnings: A quarter urban. Some climbing.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Tarmac path along a burn then the John Muir Way behind the beaches, ending through Preston Tower.

Coastal: four fifths along the coast.

Time: 3h–6h

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: A very green, quiet and largely traffic-free route, gently downhill towards Edinburgh for most of the way, with a good surface throughout. It follows the Water of Leith Walkway and then the Union Canal towpath and ending through the city's parks and streets. A few steepish slopes but no stairs; the river path can be muddy in places. Follows National Cycle Route 75 for most of its length and is part of the John Muir Way; the Colinton Tunnel is a highlight. Princes Street Gardens open at 7am and close at dusk.

Waterway: three quarters beside rivers and canals.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 3h–6h

Lunch: Cafes near the route at Juniper Green, though most open around 10am.

Warnings: The Slateford Aqueduct has only a narrow, cobbled towpath with a drop, so take care and be patient when passing others.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: Route into Edinburgh along the shoreline and old railway path, with some modest climbing.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 6h30–13h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Mostly flat walk on the John Muir Way around two harbours, with a temporary detour at Cockenzie.

Coastal: nine tenths along the coast.

Time: 3h–6h

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a quarter of the walk.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Stunning views of the Bass Rock and the North Sea. A gorgeous, flat and easy route on very well-surfaced paths, almost entirely off-road. Passes through farmland, woodland and the Tyne estuary and with a dramatic final clifftop approach to Dunbar along the edge of the golf course and beach. Follows the John Muir Way. Plenty of bird life along the Tyne estuary; look out for seals in Dunbar harbour, and emus and llamas at the back of East Links Family Park.

Coastal: three fifths along the coast.

Time: 3h30–7h

End-of-walk reward: Ice cream may await on Dunbar High Street.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: An absolutely beautiful coastal walk, ideal at low tide, with superb and expansive views. A stunning coastal walk along wide sandy beaches, rock lines and headland footpaths, best on a sunny day at low tide (the section to Aberlady can be walked barefoot on the sand). The surface is frequently soft sand and which is not hard going but tiring. The whole route can also be walked at high tide via parallel inland paths.

Coastal: nine tenths along the coast.

Time: 6h–11h30

End-of-walk reward: Bakeries and ice cream at North Berwick, with facilities and bus services at Aberlady and Gullane; a fish and chip van in the car park north of Longniddry.

Warnings: Do not attempt to wade across Aberlady Bay — lots of soft mud; turn inland to use the footbridge. The soft sand dunes at Gullane can be tricky in poor weather or fading light. Watch for the turn off Gullane Sands across Gullane Links.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Recommended: The highlight of the route is the spectacular Avon Aqueduct. A simple, direct and easy-to-follow walk mostly along the Union Canal towpath, with an uphill section from Polmont at the start and a downhill section into Linlithgow. Good surfaces with no road sections and though the towpath is narrow in places and there are stepped sections in Linlithgow. Follows the Union Canal towpath. Linlithgow has plenty of history to explore.

Waterway: nine tenths along the Union Canal.

Time: 2h30–5h30

1 end-of-walk reward: the Granary

Warnings: The towpath is narrow in places. Stepped sections in Linlithgow may present problems for some, though alternatives exist.

Walk details: Slow Ways.