Best Walking Routes in Edinburgh
The best places to walk in Edinburgh, UK are its car-free trails, greenways, and park loops — the same multi-use paths cyclists use, framed here for walkers. Cool and damp year-round — cold winters (34–44°F) and mild cloudy summers (52–65°F).
Climate for walking in Edinburgh
Cool and damp year-round — cold winters (34–44°F) and mild cloudy summers (52–65°F). It rarely freezes hard or gets hot, but rain and a steady wind off the sea are constants.
Walking-friendly paths
Innocent Railway & Canal Paths
≈12 miFlat, car-free rail trail — an uninterrupted surface that's ideal for a steady walk. Go out as far as you like and turn back.
Coast to North Berwick
≈50 miScenic, mostly flat waterfront path — exposed to the breeze but a classic spot for a walk.
Distances are the full path length — most walkers do an out-and-back or a single loop and adjust to taste.
Season by season
Spring
Mar–MayOften the driest, brightest stretch. Mild but breezy — always pack a shell.
Summer
Jun–AugCool, long days — prime for the Pentlands and the coast. Showers come and go.
Fall
Sep–OctMild and atmospheric; wind and rain build. Fenders and lights go back on.
Winter
Nov–FebCold, wet, and windy but rarely icy — ride year-round in the right kit.
What to wear walking in Edinburgh
Match your kit to the temperature with the free tool:
Frequently asked
Where can I walk in Edinburgh?
Top car-free options in Edinburgh include Innocent Railway & Canal Paths, Coast to North Berwick.
Is Edinburgh a good city for walking?
The best places to walk in Edinburgh, UK are its car-free trails, greenways, and park loops — the same multi-use paths cyclists use, framed here for walkers. Cool and damp year-round — cold winters (34–44°F) and mild cloudy summers (52–65°F).
What should I wear walking in Edinburgh?
Dress for the conditions: Cool and damp year-round — cold winters (34–44°F) and mild cloudy summers (52–65°F). It rarely freezes hard or gets hot, but rain and a steady wind off the sea are constants. Use the free What-to-Wear tool for the exact kit at today's temperature.
More for Edinburgh
Nearby walking
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