Walks in Midlothian by train

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.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 3h30–7h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A mix of quiet roads and good field paths past Kaimes Hill and finishing along the Water of Leith. Paths can be indistinct in places.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 2h30–5h

Warnings: The Glenbrook road has no pavement and tight bends, and a short section on the A70 (Lang Whang) has fast traffic on a long straight; take care. The path is indistinct near Kaimes Wood.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Lovely blooming heather in early Sept. A long, quiet route through typical rolling Borders farmland: following the railway or river at first, then almost entirely on roads and well-made tracks, with grazed fields, a young plantation and stretches that sneak into heather moorland near the end. Exposed in places. There are no services along the route. Gorebridge has a Morrisons Daily; Stow has a small store, the Cloudhouse cafe/gallery and a cafe/restaurant at the station (check opening hours). The two stations are only about 18 minutes apart by train.

Time: 8h30–17h

Lunch: No services along the route; stock up before setting off.

Warnings: Very exposed on a hot or windy day. The road from Tynehead to the Cowbraehill turnoff is fast with narrow verges. Cows graze some open fields the route crosses. A short section between Hangingshaw and Crookston Mains has no obvious path and could be tricky in cloud.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 3h30–7h

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.