Cycling in and around Edinburgh

Dalkieth and the South

Click here for cycle map for Edinburgh and around.

NCN 1 also offers an excellent escape route to the east and south. This too follows disused railways out of the city, and is well-surfaced with easy gradients.

A good place to join this route is at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Dalkeith Road. Cycle along Holyrood Park Road, but just before the entrance to the park, turn left into East Parkside. Turn right at the first opportunity, then immediately right again into a driveway to descend into the Innocent Railway tunnel or alternitavely cycling up Arthur's Seat .

Take care when going through the tunnel. The lighting is poor, and the gradient makes it easy to pick up speed without realising it - to the alarm of other cyclists and pedestrians coming towards you. So watch your speed, and try to maintain single file if you're travelling in a group. (If you prefer to avoid the tunnel, continue along Holyrood Park Road into the park, turn right at the first roundabout, and then take the first turning on the right, down a narrow drive to the far end of the tunnel.)

Once clear of the tunnel, the route is plain sailing. It follows the Innocent Railway path all the way to Brunstane, crossing just two roads along the way. When you reach the Woolworths car park, push your bike over the footbridge which crosses the railway line at Brunstane station. Then turn right, continuing along NCN 1. This will take you along residential roads and bike paths, through Newcraighall, past Musselburgh station, and eventually to the banks of the River Esk. Turn right here.

NCN 1 continues southwards to Dalkeith, Eskbank and Temple. It then climbs steeply over the Moorfoots to Innerleithen, where it turns east. It then follows the River Tweed to Berwick, before turning south again towards Newcastle.

The Water of Leith Walkway to Balerno, the Pentland Hills and West Lothian

The 12-mile Water of Leith Walkway, which runs from Leith to Balerno, provides one of the most attractive routes out of Edinburgh. It passes through dramatic steep-sided glens, patches of dense woodland and several of the old industrial villages that have since been absorbed into the city. Designated as an official Urban Wildlife Site, the river is home to mallards, herons, kingfishers, foxes, badgers and otters.

As its name suggests, the Walkway is primarily intended for walkers rather than cyclists. There are places where the path is steep and narrow, and you will occasionally have to dismount - sometimes to haul your bike up or down short flights of steps. Ride carefully and show consideration for pedestrians. There are also two difficult roads to cross: Balgreen Road and Gorgie Road. There really ought to be lights-controlled crossings here. As it is, you'll just have to dodge the traffic.

You can join the path at many places along its route, including Stockbridge (Saunders Street), Dean Village and Roseburn Park. Route-finding is easy - just follow the brown signs to Balerno.

After passing through Craiglockhart Dell, the path joins NCN 75, which at this point runs along an old railway line. From here to Balerno, the going is much easier.

The Walkway ends near Balerno High School. To continue along NCN 75, turn right at the path-end, then turn left into Lanark Road West. The signposted route continues to Kirknewton, Livingston and Bathgate, and then on to Glasgow and Greenock. Alternatively, mountain bike users heading for the Pentland Hills can turn left at the path-end, then left again along Bavelaw Road and Mansfield Road.

Alternative route combining the Union Canal and the Water of Leith

For a faster route to Balerno and beyond, take the Union Canal towpath, as described above. At the first bridge after the Slateford Aqueduct (which is two miles from the Leamington Bridge), look for an NCN 75 sign indicating a path to the right. Follow this path as it spirals up to the right, onto the bridge and then across the Lanark Road. The path then drops down to join the Water of Leith Walkway. Continue straight ahead through Colinton to Balerno.

Approximate distances from the city centre
Balerno, 9 miles. Kirknewton, 12 miles. Livingston, 16 miles.

Rentals

Edinburgh's largest bicycle hire outlet is Biketrax (11-13 Lochrin Place; 0131 228 6633). They have a wide range of machines available, mainly 21- and 24-speed mountain bikes and city bikes (hybrids). They also rent out Brompton folding bikes. Their mountain bikes have full suspension, and all models are equipped with a padded saddle.

Cycle Scotland (29 Blackfriars Street; 131 556 5560) also offer a good choice of mountain bikes and hybrids, as well as road bikes and even tandems. They will deliver and collect to/from your hotel, and will suggest itineraries for a tour of the city or nearby countryside. Group discounts are available.

Another useful option is the Leith Cycle Company (276 Leith Walk; 0131 467 7775). This friendly shop offers a selection of touring hybrids, all equipped with mudguards and pannier racks, with prices starting at £7 for half a day. For those who fancy going off-road, front-suspension cross-country mountain bikes with disc brakes are available. All hires include a helmet, a copy of the Spokes Edinburgh cycle map, repair kit, lock and pump. The team at Leith Cycle Company are always happy to give advice on where to go and how to get there. Guides can be provided if you require them.

Buying second-hand

If you want a bicycle for more than a couple of weeks, buying second-hand will often work out cheaper than renting. But you'll need to make sure the machine is in good condition, and that it won't let you down when you're on a ride out of town. If you don't feel competent to check the bike's road-worthiness yourself, buy from a cycle shop rather than a private seller. That way, the bike will come with a guarantee - usually three months - and will have had at least a basic safety check.

There are no specific second-hand bike shops in Edinburgh, but normal bike retailers sometimes have used models for sale. Cycle Scotland (see above) is a particularly good place to look for a bargain, as they regularly sell off their old rental bikes.

Another good place to pick up a second-hand cycle is the Bike Station (250 Causewayside; 0131 668 1996). This is a community project which accepts donations of old bikes and refurbishes them for the benefit of the long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged groups. They also sell refurbished bikes to the general public as a means of raising funds.

The Bike Station often has bikes for sale for under £50. Even if you only use it for a couple of weeks, that will still work out cheaper than renting. And when you've finished with it, you can donate it back to them. All their bikes are road-worthy and guaranteed. The only drawback is their limited opening hours: Saturdays, 10.30 to 16.30 for the sale of adult bikes, Fridays 14.00 to 16.00 for kids' models.

(23 Mayfield has secure storage for bikes)