Craiglockhart Hills

Craiglockhart is one of the less known of Edinburgh's famed Seven Hills, but offers superb views over the city. This varied short walk takes in both the Easter and Wester summits as well as the boating pond - originally made for curling.

Terrain

Footpaths, pavements, many steps; can be muddy at times in places.

Public Transport

There are bus stops on Colinton Road as well as plenty of onstreet parking.

Start

Corner of Colinton Road and Lockharton Crescent (served by bus). Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk starts from Colinton Road at the junction with Lockharton Crescent. Head along the latter and enter the nature reserve via a gate alongside the boating pond. Head along a cobbled path to the far side of the pond and turn right to skirt along the path on the southern bank. Craiglockhart Wood forms a wild haven within this built-up part of the city with many tracks threading through the woods offering a space for contemplation and relaxation not to mention exercise opportunities for the military personnel from the nearby barracks.

Stage 2

Keep on the right hand path at the fork to pass behind the sports centre. The path gently ascends to a junction by a stone wall. Later the walk returns to this point and goes left, but for now go straight ahead, between the fence and wall, to reach Glenlockhart Road outside Napier University's Craiglockhart Campus. The striking mix of old and modern buildings seen across the road have expanded from the original 1870s hydropathic institute. Now a business school, Craiglockhart once housed shell-shocked military officers in the First World War including Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. Turn left along the pavement for a short distance before crossing to a wooden gate.

Stage 3

Once through the gate turn left onto a rising path through the woods. When this reaches a junction turn right to head uphill, keeping ahead to eventually reach the summit of Wester Craiglockhart Hill - the higher of the two hills. Follow a grassy path up to the summit trig point offering full 360 degree views over the majority of Edinburgh, with Arthur's Seat, Castle Hill and the rest of Edinburgh's Seven Hills visible. Retrace your steps to the last junction and this time keep right on the path descending through the woods.

Stage 4

The views across southern Edinburgh continue to be superb, with the twin aerials atop The Braids clearly in view and Allermuir, Caerketton and the rest of the Pentland Hills on the horizon. The path emerges on the Merchants of Edinburgh golf course. Keep right, close to the gorse-covered hillside, and watch out and give way to any golfers playing shots. Pass a green and then emerge on a track that swings right around the base of the hill, along the edge of the Craiglockhart campus.

Stage 5

The path leads back to the gate giving access to the road. Cross and turn left along the pavement, retracing your steps and taking the path on the right to re-enter the nature reserve. At the path junction at the corner of the stone wall, turn right and head up a flight of steps. This wide path ascends gently through the pleasant woods above the golf course before descending a short flight of steps on the right to pass through a gap in the stone wall.

Stage 6

Leaving the woods, turning right at a junction on a grassy path after a short distance and heading up to the wide open summit ridge of Easter Craiglockhart Hill. There are several benches here, again offering panoramic views over the south of the city, including a different view of the north side of Wester Craiglockhart Hill. At the far end of the ridge drop down through a gap in a wall and re-enter the woodland.

Stage 7

Go through the gap and then turn sharp left to follow the wall as the path descends easily through the open woodland. On the right are views over some architecturally beautiful buildings - built in a 'free Renaissance' style - currently being converted for residential development. When almost level with the buildings turn left along a good path beneath the slopes of Easter Craiglockhart Hill towards the edge of the woods.

Stage 8

At a path junction the route turns left, but before going that way it's worth making a brief detour to the right to visit a rocky bluff with a great view towards Edinburgh Castle. Return to the junction and continue ahead, soon reaching another junction in a grassy clearing. Turn right here down a grassy dell. Eventually the path re-enters the woods and descends via a series of switchbacks to reach a signed junction near a housing estate. Turn left to follow the fence around the housing and drop down a flight of wooden steps to reach the boating pond. Turn right along the cobbled path through the reeds to Lockharton Crescent and the start point on Colinton Road.

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