This Edinburgh cycle route starts and ends in Saughton Park, taking you along stunning walkways to Lauriston Castle, a dilapidated Bunker, and Cramond Beach. You can hire a bicycle from Cycle Scotland,Tartan Bike Hire, or Leith Cycle Co. If you have your own bike, you can also find parking with Parkopedia. You can find out more about taking your bike on public transportation here.
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Route overview
A hidden gem in Edinburgh, Saughton Park has a rich history that began when the Council bought it from Sir William Baird in 1900. The park has experienced substantial changes, including hosting the Scottish National Exhibition in 1908 and aiding in the war effort during World War II. Notably, dry rot devastated the Saughtonhall mansion, which had been a psychiatric institution, after the war.
The park has undergone many contemporary additions recently, including the largest skateboard park in Scotland, built in 2010, and substantial rehabilitation made possible by Sustrans and the National Lottery. Saughton Park is a 34-acre park that is home to botanicals of interest, sports facilities, and well-kept open spaces. It is a testimony to Edinburgh’s green space legacy.
Saughton Park. Credit: Scotland Off the Beaten Track
Exit Saughton Park, turning left onto Balgreen Road. Just after you exit the tunnel, turn left onto and along the cycle path. When the path splits, turn right. Continue straight following the curve as in the screenshot below. Turn right towards the stadium-looking building. Turn left on Corstorphine Road, then right onto Kaimes Road.
Part 1 of the 22km Edinburgh Cycle Route: Saughton Park, Cramond Beach
After 750 metres, turn left onto Cairnmuir Road, then right onto Clermiston Road. After 280 metres, turn right to the Corstorphine Hill Walled Garden and Hill Tower.
Part 2 of the 22km Edinburgh Cycle Route: Saughton Park, Cramond Beach
Built for Hillwood House, the “lost” Walled Garden on Corstorphine Hill fell into disrepair but has been magnificently restored thanks to the tireless work of local volunteers known as the “Friends of Corstorphine Hill,” who were featured on BBC Scotland’s Beechgrove Garden. This calm and instructive area serves as a resource for outdoor learning and is accessible to anyone, reflecting Corstorphine Hill’s surrounding greenery. The garden, which is totally volunteer-maintained, is tastefully separated into sections, such as a wetland area and fernery, to increase both its aesthetic appeal and biodiversity.
After exploring the garden, guests can relax on benches spread throughout the area thanks to its sunny mood and picturesque wetland with boardwalks and bridges, providing a peaceful haven. Corstorphine Hill Tower is sometimes referred to as the Scott Tower or Clermiston Tower. Located near the top of the hill, William Macfie of Clermiston erected it in 1871 to mark the 100th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth. In 1932, the city received a gift of it to commemorate Scott’s 100th birthday. With a square floor design and a castellation at the top, the tower is five stories tall. Take a virtual tour of the tower here.
Corstorphine Hill. Credit: Just Muddling Through
Retrace your steps to Clermiston Road and turn right. Clermiston Road becomes Clermiston Road North. Further down the road, you will see a small car park, turn right here and follow the second path to the left to find the Barnton Bunker. Remember to book a tour to see inside.
Part 3 of the 22km Edinburgh Cycle Route: Saughton Park, Cramond Beach
Originally a stone quarry located on Corstorphine Hill in Edinburgh, Barnton Quarry was converted into a military command centre in WWII and housed the RAF’s Fighter Command operations room. During the Cold War, it developed into a key coordination hub for radar stations throughout Scotland by 1952. After the acquisition by the local council in 1983, there was vandalism and fire damage to the site.
With the intention of establishing a nearby Cold War museum and education centre, the property is currently being cleaned and repaired. Volunteers are working on the project, which has financial support from the owners of Scotland’s Secret Bunker, a closed bunker close to Anstruther that is currently operated as a tourist destination.
Barnton Bunker. Credit: BBC
Retrace your steps back to Clermiston Road North, and turn right. Cross over the intersection when it is safe to do so and ride through the gap in the wall, to turn right along the pathway towards Davidson’s Mains Park. At the end of that pathway, turn left along the open field on your right. Follow the paved pathway to the right, then turn left onto East Barnton Avenue. Continue following this road which becomes Barnton Avenue, and its curve to the left.
Part 4 of the 22km Edinburgh Cycle Route: Saughton Park, Cramond Beach
Continue following the curves of Barnton Avenue onto Barnton Avenue West. Once you reach Whitehouse Road, turn left, then right onto Braepark Road, National Cycle Route 1.
Part 5 of the 22km Edinburgh Cycle Route: Saughton Park, Cramond Beach
After about 450 metres, turn right onto Dowie Mill’s Lane which takes you onto the River Almond Walkway towards Cramond Falls and Cramond Beach.
Part 6 of the 22km Edinburgh Cycle Route: Saughton Park, Cramond Beach
River Almond. Credit: Crafty Green Poet
Cramond Falls, River Almond. Credit: Edinburgh Collected
Cramond Beach and Island. Credit: Edinburgh Tourist
When you reach Cramond Beach, turn right to ride along the paved pathway. After about 1.5km, turn right towards Marine Drive. At the circle, exit onto Silverknowes Road.
Part 7 of the 22km Edinburgh Cycle Route: Saughton Park, Cramond Beach
After about 1km, at the next circle, take the third exit onto Lauriston Farm Road. At the end of the road, turn right onto Barnton Gardens. At the next road, turn right towards Lauriston Castle.
Part 8 of the 22km Edinburgh Cycle Route: Saughton Park, Cramond Beach
Lauriston Castle’s origins can be traced back to the medieval period, but in 1544, raids by the army of the Earl of Hertford severely devastated the structure. Sir Archibald Napier had the tower house rebuilt in approximately 1590. Notable residents included the Napier family, while later owners included the Law family and banker Thomas Allan.
Sir Walter Scott praised the castle’s 1827 restoration for maintaining the original design while adding new features, attesting to its continuing historical significance and architectural development. Visit the website here for more about tours and opening hours.
Lauriston Castle. Credit: The Bear and The Fox
Leaving the Castle, retrace your steps onto Barnton Gardens, and turn left. Turn left again at the second road, Silverknowes Avenue. Turn right at the third road, Silverknowes Drive, following the curve, then turn right onto the pathway between Silverknowes Road and Silverknowes Road East.
Part 8 of the 22km Edinburgh Cycle Route: Saughton Park, Cramond Beach
This pathway leads you onto the Blackhall Path, National Cycle Route 1. Continue straight on this pathway for about 2.6km. This path becomes the Roseburn Path, continuing straight for about 900 metres.
Part 9 of the 22km Edinburgh Cycle Route: Saughton Park, Cramond Beach
After crossing over the bridge over Roseburn Terrace, turn left where the path splits, then sharply left towards Balbirnie Place onto Roseburn Terrace where you turn left. Turn left again onto Roseburn Street, then right onto Roseburn Place. Look out for the Water of Leith Walkway signage on your right and continue along this pathway. When you reach the opening, continue on the paved Water of Leith Walkway for another 800 metres.
Part 10 of the 22km Edinburgh Cycle Route: Saughton Park, Cramond Beach
Follow the paved pathway until you reach the third bridge on your right, turn right then immediately left down and under the railway bridges to continue on the Water of Leith Walkway. The walkway exits onto Balgreen Road. Cross over the road to continue along the paved pathway to the left of the skatepark. You are now back in Saughton Park.
Part 11 of the 22km Edinburgh Cycle Route: Saughton Park, Cramond Beach
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Resources:
If you enjoyed this route, see our 17.5km Historic Castles of Edinburgh Cycle Route.
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Information gathered from various sources including Wikipedia.