Edinburgh-Balerno-Dalkeith Circular
_thumb.JPG)
The ride starts at the Meadows in Edinburgh and follows National Route 75 to Balerno along the Union Canal and Balerno Railway Path. At the end of the railway path, turn left onto Bridge Road and left again onto Bavelaw Road. You should see Malleny Gardens (National Trust for Scotland) on your left. Follow the quiet Mansfield Road past Upper Dean Park to Red Moss nature reserve and cross the Redford Bridge.
After a steep climb you'll reach Bavelaw where you will be in the Pentlands Hills Regional Park. Continue along the off road path, through the spectacular Green Cleugh valley to Loganlea reservoir, from where a traffic free surfaced water board road takes you past Glencorse Reservoir to Flotterstone where there is a handy pub. Turn left and follow a short section beside the A702 and then take the first right down a quiet public road to Milton Bridge.
Turn right along a short section of cycle lane on the A701, and then left down Grahams Road to Auchendinny. Go ahead towards the river North Esk, then left along the railway path to Bonnyrigg on Regional Route 73. Take National Route 1 through Dalkeith, Whitecraig and Musselburgh to Edinburgh and back to the Meadows.
Natural attractions:
- Pentlands Hills Regional Park
Visitor attractions:
- Union Canal
- Malleny Gardens (NTS)
- Red Moss Nature Reserve
- Glencorse Reservoir
- Newtongrange Mining Museum
Route submitted by: Sustrans
Tags
Route map
Comments
Key route details
- Region/Area:
Edinburgh, Midlothian
- Distance:
36 miles
- Time needed:
5 - 6 hours
- Classification:
Moderate
- Traffic:
Mostly traffic-free
- Surface:
Nearly all tarmac except off-road section in Pentlands
- NCN Route:
National Routes 75 & 1
- Start:
The Meadows, Edinburgh
- Finish:
The Meadows, Edinburgh
- Cycle hire:
Lots in Edinburgh
- Access:
Train stations at Edinburgh, Curriehill, Musselburgh, Brunstane and Newcraighall.
- Links with:
Union Canal and Dalkeith to Penicuik
- Weather:
-
Wed
max: 23°C min: 11°C
-
Thu
max: 24°C min: 13°C
-
Fri
max: 19°C min: 6°C
-
Sat
max: 16°C min: 8°C
Choose another route
27/05/09, at 10:56 PM
Good route.
You could make this longer by going from Balerno to Silverburn from Bavelaw. It’s a wee bit more technical. From Silverburn I’d head to just after Carlops (along main road) and take the back road to Penicuik (see below)
Alternatively, if you enjoy something a bit more technical head from Balerno to Buteland and take the route to Carlops via the Borestane. The route and route finding are a bit tricky, but good fun. At Carlops, enjoy some lunch in the inn and then go right for a few minutes to pick up the backroad to Penicuik. I’ve done this road a couple of times now. It’s lovely and fast and feels (tens of) miles from anywhere. Pick up the route above in Penicuik.
30/05/09, at 04:08 PM
Does anyone know if it is still necessary to lift bikes over deer fences on the off-road path over the hills from RedMoss to the reservoir road leading down to Flotterstone?