Walks you can reach from Edinburgh Waverley by train
Midlothian · Scotland | Walks by foot
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Kirknewton Station to Curriehill Station (Midlothian)
15m direct from Edinburgh Waverley.
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
Polmont Station to Linlithgow Station (Stirlingshire)
15m direct from Edinburgh Waverley.
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
Bathgate Station to Linlithgow Station (West Lothian)
15m direct from Edinburgh Waverley.
Tough: steep ascents. 12km.
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
Inverkeithing Station to Dalgety Bay Station (Fife)
15m direct from Edinburgh Waverley.
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 Edinburgh Waverley.
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
Inverkeithing Station to Cowdenbeath Station (Fife)
15m direct from Edinburgh Waverley.
15km. Moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
West Calder Station to Kirknewton Station (Midlothian)
30m direct from Edinburgh Waverley.
13km. Moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Fauldhouse Station to West Calder Station (West Lothian)
30m direct from Edinburgh Waverley.
Easy: 10km, moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Falkirk Grahamston Station to Polmont Station (Stirlingshire)
30m direct from Edinburgh Waverley.
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.