Walks near Dunbar by train
East Lothian · Scotland
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Dunbar and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Dunbar.
Linlithgow to Falkirk High (West Lothian)
45 minutes from Dunbar, with one change.
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).
North Queensferry to Burntisland (Fife)
45 minutes from Dunbar, with one change.
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).
Alnmouth Circular via the Northumberland Coast Path (Northumberland)
45 minutes direct from Dunbar.
Parkland, woodland and a stretch of the Northumberland coast — beach, dunes and the village of Alnmouth.
The Northumberland Coast Path: A coastal trail along the Northumberland shoreline forming part of the England Coast Path, here running past Buston Links and Alnmouth bay.
Time: 3h30
Warnings: Some field sections lack defined paths and can be boggy when wet.
Walk details: Northern Railway (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Edinburgh Waverley to Brunstane (Midlothian)
30 minutes direct from Dunbar.
Prestonpans to Longniddry (East Lothian)
30 minutes from Dunbar, with one change.
Longniddry to North Berwick (East Lothian)
30 minutes from Dunbar, with one change.
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.
Brunstane to Prestonpans (Midlothian)
30 minutes from Dunbar, with one change.
Curriehill to Edinburgh Waverley (Midlothian)
45 minutes from Dunbar, with one change.
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.
Dalmeny to Edinburgh Waverley (West Lothian)
45 minutes from Dunbar, with one change.
North Berwick to East Linton (East Lothian)
45 minutes from Dunbar, with one change.
Recommended: Very pleasant route; A lovely, varied route; great views north and south; Lots of vistas both north and south. A lovely, varied and well-surfaced route with very few steep sections and only one set of steps, passing through woodland and farmland with great views north and south. Mostly traffic-free, well-signposted and still direct and used by walkers and mountain bikers. Follows the John Muir Way, signposted all the way; extending to or from Dunbar makes a full day. Passes close by North Berwick Law, well worth climbing. North Berwick and East Linton are both historic and worth exploring.
Time: 3h–6h
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Polmont to Linlithgow (Stirlingshire)
45 minutes from Dunbar, with one change.
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.
Alnmouth to Widdrington (Northumberland)
45 minutes direct from Dunbar.