The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Edinburgh

Edinburgh offers a fantastic variety of outdoor experiences for families. You'll find over 1000 hiking routes in the region, with more than 600 specifically rated as easy, making them ideal for family outings.

The terrain around Edinburgh is quite diverse. You can find everything from gentle, paved paths suitable for strollers along the Edinburgh Old Town tour, to more undulating trails in the Pentland Hills, and even volcanic ascents like those around Arthur's Seat. Many family-friendly routes feature well-maintained paths through parks and along reservoirs.

Yes, many family-friendly routes in Edinburgh are circular, offering convenient starting and ending points. For example, the Holyrood Park loop via Queen's Drive provides a wonderful circular walk around the iconic Arthur's Seat, while the Harlaw Reservoir & Threipmuir Reservoir loop offers a scenic circular path through the Pentland Hills.

Edinburgh's family hikes are rich with natural beauty and historical landmarks. You can explore extinct volcanoes like Arthur's Seat, enjoy serene lochs such as Dunsapie Loch, or discover picturesque reservoirs like Threipmuir Reservoir. Many trails also offer stunning views of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth.

Absolutely. Many paths, especially those along the Water of Leith Walkway or around the city's parks, are relatively flat and well-surfaced, making them suitable for strollers. The Edinburgh Old Town tour is an easy urban walk with minimal elevation, perfect for families with young children or strollers.

Spring and summer (April to September) generally offer the most pleasant weather for family hikes, with longer daylight hours and milder temperatures. However, Edinburgh's landscapes are beautiful year-round, and autumn brings vibrant colors, while winter can offer crisp, clear days, though some paths may be muddy or icy.

Many trails in and around Edinburgh are dog-friendly, especially in regional parks like the Pentland Hills. It's always best to keep dogs on a lead, particularly in areas with livestock or wildlife, and to check specific park regulations before you go. Routes like the Bonaly Country Park loop are popular with dog walkers.

Many popular trailheads, especially in the Pentland Hills Regional Park, have dedicated parking areas. For trails closer to the city, such as Holyrood Park or the Water of Leith Walkway, public transport is often a convenient option. Edinburgh has an extensive bus network that can take you close to many starting points.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from over 2600 ratings. Reviewers often praise the accessibility of stunning natural scenery so close to the city, the variety of trails for all abilities, and the breathtaking panoramic views from elevated points like Arthur's Seat and Blackford Hill.

Yes, Edinburgh is famous for its elevated viewpoints. Trails around Arthur's Seat, Salisbury Crags, Calton Hill, and Blackford Hill all offer spectacular panoramic views of the city skyline, including iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and the Firth of Forth. The Holyrood Park loop is an excellent choice for these vistas.

For families looking for a longer adventure, routes like The Pentland Hills Reservoir loop from Threipmuir Reservoir offer a more extensive experience. This moderate 16 km route provides beautiful scenery and a good challenge for older children and active families, with plenty of space to explore.