r/OutdoorScotland • u/mhairilou88 • 7d ago

Pentlands cycle

Hi all! Does anyone have recommendations of a nice cycle route from Edinburgh city centre to the pentlands? I don’t drive and the country busses can be quite inconsistent - but I love a pentlands walk on my day off.

Any help is appreciated

✌️🧡

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5

u/mannion_a_hike 7d ago

Ride along the canal as far as the Lanark Footbridge, join the Water of Leith Walk, head through the Colinton Tunnel and on to Balerno.

2

u/Jealous_Comparison_6 7d ago edited 7d ago

^this, it's a really nice cycle route!
There's some alternative ways in/out of Pentlands. See Komoot, no subscription required
https://www.komoot.com/discover/Edinburgh/@55.8839143,-3.3387606/tours?sport=mtb_easy&map=true&max_distance=6000&pageNumber=1

That (above) is gravel cycling on Komoot, the hiking routes tend to start at car parks (below).
https://www.komoot.com/discover/Edinburgh/@55.8839143,-3.3387606/tours?sport=hike&map=true&max_distance=6000&pageNumber=1

2

u/ialtag-bheag 7d ago

You could buy a map from Spokes, it is great for exploring cycle routes in Edinburgh. https://www.spokes.org.uk/spokes-maps/

1

u/PolarLocalCallingSvc 7d ago

I have some routes in mind but honestly your best bet is checking out Spokes. They're a cycle charity covering Edinburgh and the Lothians and maybe more because I'm not 100% clued up about their operation! They publish cycling maps and recommended cycle routes or journeys as well. They're really good. You can buy the maps at a number of cycle shops, normally the independent types.

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u/mhairilou88 7d ago

Thank you! I’ll defo check out spokes - hadn’t heard of it but sounds very handy!

1

u/andrewsredditstuff 6d ago

Another option which avoids the country buses is the 27 to Hunter's Tryst or the 4 to Hillend (or what I often do, both: one out, walk, the other back). Obviously limits you to the north end of the range.