5.2km

Craiglockhart Hills — 5.2 km Running Route

by Skamper

Craiglockhart Hills is a 5.2 km (3.2 miles) loop in Edinburgh, Scotland: hilly, with 115 m of climb, on mostly paved ground.

115 mAscent

60%Paved

3/5Hilly

Start anywhere route. Jump on the course line at any point — wherever you start will also be your finish point.

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Photos

Elevation

Explore the Craiglockhart Hills

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Embark on a challenging 5.2km adventure through Edinburgh's scenic Craiglockhart Hills. This loop, starting near the Union Canal, takes you over both Wester and Easter Craiglockhart, offering a tough yet rewarding run. While predominantly paved, the significant 115m ascent ensures a good workout, combining urban convenience with beautiful hilltop views.

This route is perfect for experienced runners seeking a demanding training session or those looking to enjoy breathtaking panoramic vistas of Edinburgh, Leith, and the distant Pentland Hills. It’s not one for setting personal bests, but rather for appreciating the stunning surroundings and pushing your endurance on varied, accessible terrain.

Common questions

How long is this route?

It's a 5.2 km loop in Edinburgh, Scotland with around 115 metres of total ascent.

How long will it take me to run it?

Use the 'Your time estimate' panel at the top of this page — it predicts your finish time for this exact route from your age, sex and most recent benchmark, accounting for distance, ascent and surface.

Is it hilly?

Moderately. It rates 3 out of 5 on our hill scale — expect noticeable climbs. About 22 metres of climb per kilometre, 115 metres in total.

What's the surface like?

It's 60% paved with some unsurfaced sections — road shoes are fine for most runners.

Is it suitable for a 5k?

Yes. At 5.2 km it's close to a 5k, so it works well as a 5k training run or time trial.

Reviews (2)

RichardAug 2023

StephenMay 2023

A tough, complicated and technical course. You are never going to get your best Skamper grade here, so just take it easy and enjoy panoramic views of Edinburgh ,Leith and the Pentland Hills. Exit from first untimed section too close to entry

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