The Most Scenic Running Routes In Edinburgh

The kind of place so inspiring that hours can disappear while exploring, Arthur’s Seat is a no brainer when it comes to desirable running routes in Edinburgh. A popular every-day kind of trail, many like to skirt around the edges at Holyrood Park — it gets the job done while still maintaining a stunning view. For the more adventurous, it’s definitely worth scaling this historic peak, exploring the sites as you go — the Salisbury Crags, St Anthony’s Chapel, swathes of swans at the loch and of course panoramic views of the city — until you reach the glorious, mighty summit. A handy central location, run all the way back to your hotel or home and add a few more steps onto that Fitbit! When running at night, don’t forget to take a headlamp or some form of light as it can get pretty dark. When in doubt, gaze upwards at the striking Scottish stars.

Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland

It’s amazing what a dose of fresh sea air and a gust of good Scottish wind can do. Reap the benefits of these therapeutic feelings and run all the way to Portobello and back. A good place to start is Arthur’s Seat. Scale the mountain along Queen’s Road heading in the direction of Duddingston Loch. Pass the loch, follow the main road until Portobello comes into view and head straight for the beach. Go wild with sand between your toes and the sound of the ocean cheering you on. Once you have all that pent-up energy out of your system, run to the east of Seafield Road and look out for Brunstane Burn Path. Tear through this old railway tunnel until you get to the Salisbury Crags. Those who liken their running style to that of Forrest Gump can keep on keeping on until the reach the beautiful land of East Lothian.

Portobello, Scotland

When that overpowering urge to run for the hills sets in, look no further than the Pentlands. A brief drive from the city centre or extended part of the run for fitness fanatics, the large spread of rolling terrain and liberating feeling of wind caressing your hair is something straight out of a film. Begin the run at the public car park by Flotterstone Inn and start by ascending Turnhouse Hill. Meander along the ridge path past Carnethy, Scald Law, East Kip and West Kip. From there, decide what you want your path to be and go for it. Underrated and wonderfully wild, the Pentlands are perfect for clearing your head kind of running outings.

Pentland Hills, Edinburgh, Scotland

Graced with pristine Scottish vernacular architecture and captivating causeway pylons (they were put there during WWII to ward off submarines), Cramond is practically a postcard. Whether a simple beach sprint or winding path mirroring the River Almond, the scenery could not be more striking. Situated on the foreshore, make sure to swerve past the Cramond Fish, an eight tonne sculptural carving made from 460 million year old pink corrennie granite by Sculptor Ronald Rae. Relaxed runners can celebrate the workout with a visit to the pub, whereas more serious stretchers can add this to a longer route.

Cramond, Edinburgh, Scotland