Pentland Hills, a regional park located just south of Edinburgh, is a distinctive "living, working landscape" shaped by geological processes and human activity over millennia. The area is characterized by rolling hills, expansive heather moorland, pockets of woodland, and ten picturesque reservoirs. This diverse terrain provides a natural setting for several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
The Pentland Hills offer a wide array of outdoor activities, with more than…
177
Routes
4.7
(967)
Average rating
10516
People visited

4.8
(121)
971
hikers
13.0km
04:43
500m
500m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.9
(109)
665
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(71)
437
hikers
8.24km
02:52
290m
290m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.7
(45)
307
hikers
5.68km
02:00
320m
320m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.4
(5)
406
runners
28.4km
04:31
1,430m
1,420m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.8
(9)
343
runners
13.0km
01:55
500m
500m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.7
(6)
40
runners
14.1km
01:40
270m
270m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

5.0
(2)
50
runners
5.62km
00:53
310m
310m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(15)
186
riders
31.5km
02:21
400m
400m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
12
riders
19.5km
01:55
420m
420m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
12
riders
15.3km
01:28
320m
320m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

2
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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5.0
(1)
76
riders
15.4km
01:04
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

29
riders
10.6km
00:41
100m
100m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
22
riders
11.6km
00:43
120m
120m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

18
riders
Hard bike ride. Great for any fitness level. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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63
riders
53.8km
02:32
420m
420m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

61
riders
20.2km
00:58
270m
270m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

53
riders
43.1km
01:55
410m
420m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
50
riders
25.4km
01:14
280m
280m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(2)
24
riders
21.4km
01:21
260m
260m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
15
riders
43.4km
02:47
490m
490m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
26.5km
02:05
650m
650m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
3
riders
26.6km
02:09
490m
480m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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Pentland Hills Regional Park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, jogging, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, gravel biking, and mountaineering. The park features over 100 kilometers (62 miles) of waymarked paths, catering to various skill levels. There are 286 routes available, with an average rating of 4.63 stars from over 246,000 visitors.
Yes, Pentland Hills offers a diverse network of hiking trails ranging from gentle strolls around reservoirs to more strenuous ascents up its nine peaks. Paths consist of firm gravel tracks, hill paths, grassy slopes, and some rougher moorland sections. For more information, consult the Hiking in Pentland Hills guide.
Scald Law is the highest point in Pentland Hills at 1,900 feet (579 meters), offering expansive views. Other prominent peaks include Carnethy Hill and Allermuir Hill, which provide panoramic vistas across Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth, and beyond. The park's rolling hills and open ridgelines offer numerous scenic viewpoints.
Pentland Hills provides extensive opportunities for cycling, including touring, road cycling, and mountain biking. The network of paths and reservoir-side roads features steady climbs and open ridgelines. Guides such as Cycling in Pentland Hills and MTB Trails in Pentland Hills offer detailed route information.
Yes, Pentland Hills offers routes suitable for families, including gentler walks around the ten reservoirs. These paths often provide level tracks along the water's edge. Specific family-friendly options can be found in the Family-friendly hikes in Pentland Hills guide.
Pentland Hills Regional Park generally welcomes dogs, but visitors should ensure dogs are kept under control, especially around livestock. Specific dog-friendly routes and considerations are detailed in the Dog-friendly hikes in Pentland Hills guide.
The terrain in Pentland Hills is varied, featuring rolling hills, heather moorland, open grasslands, and pockets of woodland. Paths range from firm gravel tracks and grassy slopes to rougher, boggier sections on higher moorland. The park also includes ten reservoirs, offering level tracks along their edges.
Pentland Hills Regional Park has several access points with parking facilities. These include Threipmuir car park, Harlaw House, Bonaly Country Park, Swanston car park, Hillend car park (upper), and Flotterstone car park. Some locations also provide bicycle stands.
Komoot offers several guides for Pentland Hills, covering various activities and interests. These include guides for Hiking, Family-friendly hikes, Running Trails, Easy hikes, Hikes from bus stations, Dog-friendly hikes, Cycling, Road Cycling Routes, Traffic-free bike rides, and MTB Trails.
The official website for Pentland Hills Regional Park is www.pentlandhills.org.uk. For direct inquiries, the park can be reached by phone at +44 131 529 2401.
Pentland Hills boasts geological sites dating back 430 million years and contains 12 scheduled ancient monuments, including hill forts and cairns. The area also holds historical significance, having been the site of the Battle of Rullion Green in 1666 and a hunting ground for Sir Robert the Bruce.

