Best walks near Edinburgh by train

Polmont Station to Linlithgow Station (Stirlingshire)

15m direct from Haymarket.

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.

Easy: 10km, moderate ascents.

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

End-of-walk reward: the Granary.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

East Linton Station to Dunbar Station (East Lothian)

15m direct from Edinburgh Waverley.

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.

12km. Moderate ascents.

Ice cream may await on Dunbar High Street.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Longniddry Station to North [Berwick Station](/train-stations/scotland/east-lothian/north-berwick) (East Lothian)

15m direct from Edinburgh Waverley.

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.

Tough: 21km, steep ascents.

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.

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.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

North [Berwick Station](/train-stations/scotland/east-lothian/north-berwick) to East Linton Station (East Lothian)

15m direct from Edinburgh Waverley.

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.

11km. Moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Cowdenbeath Station to Lochgelly Station (Fife)

45m direct from Haymarket.

A short, easy and very well-maintained route, off-road between the two towns: residential streets give way to a pleasant tree-lined path across a golf course and with a steep gradient into and out of a small valley. Good public transport connections at both ends, with bus links to various locations in Fife.

Easy: 3km, moderate ascents.

The path crosses a golf course, so watch for flying golf balls.

Refreshments are available in Lochgelly town.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Kirknewton Station to Curriehill Station (Midlothian)

15m direct from Haymarket.

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.

Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.

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.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Inverkeithing Station to Dalgety Bay Station (Fife)

15m direct from Haymarket.

great coastal views throughout; Great views. A pleasant, varied and easily followed coastal walk along the Fife Coastal Path on good tarmac and gravel surfaces, with woodland sections in Dalgety Bay, great views over the Forth and little or no main-road walking. One set of stairs at the Inverkeithing end. Follows the Fife Coastal Path; easy to extend along the coast to North Queensferry or Aberdour. Several seating areas along the way; a small shopping area in Dalgety Bay.

Tough: steep ascents. 5km.

One set of steps at the Inverkeithing end (a short, easy detour avoids them).

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Dunfermline City Station to Inverkeithing Station (Fife)

15m direct from Haymarket.

the vista back onto the Forth Bridge keeps changing; The Rail Bridge viewpoint is stunning. A longer route following the Fife Pilgrim Way almost the whole way, mostly off-road or on small roads and tracks across farmland, woodland, playing fields and fields of sheep, with long moderate slopes becoming steep over Castland Hill. Surfaces vary from tarmac and firm gravel to rough, muddy grassy field edges and with a long pavement stretch into Dunfermline. Follows the Fife Pilgrim Way (Inverkeithing to Dunfermline section), waymarked with thigh-high wooden posts. Rosyth is described as Scotland's only Garden City. A post office, convenience store, café and takeaway lie a few minutes off the route near Hilton Road.

Tough: steep ascents. 10km.

A long, busy and unpleasant stretch along and across the A985, though it has a wide bank/verge. The route is a little unclear across farmland near Wester Gellet and at Douglas Bank Cemetery. Graded strenuous; muddy in places.

Lunch: The route avoids most habitation in the middle; a post office, convenience store, café and takeaway are a few minutes off-route near Hilton Road. Many places to eat in central Dunfermline and in Inverkeithing.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Falkirk Grahamston Station to Polmont Station (Stirlingshire)

15m direct from Haymarket.

A good route through pedestrianised streets and the delightful old woodlands of Callendar Wood on well-made paths, then a twisty maze of little paths with steps through the Hallglen Estate, before a calm, tarmac towpath along the Union Canal. It finishes on the busy, noisy Station Road into Polmont; some steps and with likely step-free alternatives in Hallglen. Follows the Union Canal towpath. Callendar Wood is an attractive area of old woodland.

7km.

Several flights of stone steps through the Hallglen Estate. At the Redding Industrial Estate the towpath briefly becomes a road open to cars. The turning off the towpath into Polmont is easy to miss. Station Road into Polmont is busy and noisy.

Lunch: Lots of cafes and shops in Falkirk; a small shopping centre with a supermarket in Polmont.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Dalgety Bay Station to Burntisland Station (Fife)

30m direct from Haymarket.

Very nice section of The Fife Coastal Path; a stunning section of the Fife Coast Path. A stunning section of the Fife Coastal Path with good surfaces throughout and minimal gradients and becoming a little industrial on the final approach to Burntisland. The pavement is narrow through Aberdour. Follows the Fife Coastal Path; the journey can be broken at Aberdour (station and buses) or combined with the Inverkeithing to Dalgety Bay route. A little waterfall near Aberdour is worth seeing.

Tough: steep ascents. 10km.

The pavement is narrow through Aberdour.

Lunch: Easy access to facilities along and at either end of the route.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Gorebridge Station to Stow Station (Midlothian)

30m direct from Edinburgh Waverley.

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.

Tough: 30km, steep ascents.

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.

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

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Lochgelly Station to Kirkcaldy Station (Fife)

30m direct from Haymarket.

A varied rural walk on tracks and paths through fields and woodland, including a picturesque wooded glen and burn and with short pavement sections beside busier roads at each end. Over 90% off-road. Rough and occasionally steep paths. Mostly uses Fife's core paths. Highlights include the late-18th-century designed landscape of Raith Park and the wooded ravines of the Den Burn. No places to eat or buy food between Lochgelly and Kirkcaldy. A bus service runs between the two towns.

12km. Moderate ascents.

One short core-path section involves climbing a very rickety gate wrapped in barbed wire through undergrowth; it can be avoided via a couple of quiet roads.

Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route