Allermuir Hill and Swanston

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Allermuir Hill is the nearest of the major Pentlands summit to Edinburgh and offers stunning views both over the city and into the heart of the range. The route ascends by the ski-slopes of the Midlothian Snowsports centre and returns via the picturesque thatched village of Swanston.

Terrain

Hill paths; some rough and wet sections

Public Transport

Bus to Hillend / Snowsports centre.

Start

Lower car park below the snowsports centre. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the car park on the left immediately after turning off the main A702 to head up towards the Snowsports centre. The path begins from here and heads diagonally uphill from the road, with an information board and map of local routes at the start. The route initially follows the Capital View walk; follow the signs for this (and Boghall) when they indicate a turn to the left before the path ahead reaches steps. When there's a fork bear right and continue uphill. The path climbs steeply, soon giving extensive views back over Edinburgh. Keep straight on at two cross-roads of paths. You can either climb a mound to reach a seat, or bypass it on the right.

Stage 2

Beyond this is another mound which you can again either head over or pass on the right. Beyond this head for and pass through a gate in the fence that runs along the slopes of Caerketton Hill and the top of the ski-area. A signpost indicates that the Capital View route goes off to the right at this point, but for our route continue ahead on the path that climbs steeply up onto Caerketton Hill. The summit is marked by a large cairn; an excellent view has now opened up inland over the central hills of the Pentlands as well as a a superb one over Edinburgh.

Stage 3

The walk now continues along the ridge, which is also traversed by a fence. There is only the slightest of dips before the path climbs over the next stony summit; the ridge is better defined here with the steep Caerketton Crags on the north side. After some undulations and winding about the ridges descends to the bealach or col at around 415m.

Stage 4

From here the climb up Allermuir Hill begins; there is a brief respite part way up before a final steep pull to the summit, at a junction of fences, marked by a trig point and a view indicator. The panorama from here is fantastic, especially over Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth as well as into the heart of the Pentlands where Carnethy Hill, Scald Law and East and West Kip are prominent. For the descent, start to retrace your steps but look out for a path which forks off to the left from the level section.

Stage 5

This crosses another path which comes down from the bealach; continue ahead, passing just to the left of the foot of some crags. Further on the path comes alongside the Swanston Burn and follows the far side of this down to a signed junction. The Capital View walk rejoins from the right here, but our route continues down towards Swanston, passing an area of gorse and then through a small gate. Continue down the wide path until the houses of Swanston - bear left here to join a path into this cluster of buildings.

Stage 6

Tiny Swanston is a quite unexpectedly picturesque little cluster of thatched and whitewashed cottages, where Robert Louis Stevenson spend some of his childhood. Turn right at the road (signed for Lothian Burn) and pass a courtyard of stone cottages, continuing along a track. This leads to the main A702 road; turn right along the pavement here to return to the entrance to the Snowsports centre and the start of the walk.

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Allermuir Hill and Swanston

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Download our route guides and use offline with free GPS mapping

Terrain

Public Transport

Start

Hillwalking in Winter

Users' reports

Walk Statistics

Summits Climbed

Mapping and GPS

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