13k Run Edinburgh: Scenic Journey Through The Pentlands

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 13.3km loop offers a quintessential Edinburgh running experience, bridging the gap between the city’s historic canal network and the rugged foothills of the Pentland Hills Regional Park. Starting with a flat, fast warm-up on the paved Union Canal Towpath and the shaded Water of Leith Walkway, you’ll soon transition into a more challenging multi-terrain adventure. With an ascent of 157m, the climb up toward Clubbiedean and Torduff Reservoirs provides a moderate test for your lungs, but the payoff is immense. Runner's will enjoy a mix of compacted gravel and dirt trails that open up to sweeping views of the Firth of Forth and the city skyline before a long, rewarding descent back to the leafy banks of the Water of Leith.

The area surrounding the reservoirs is steeped in local heritage; Clubbiedean was constructed in the mid-19th century to supply water for the city's growing industries, including the numerous grain mills and snuff factories that once lined the Water of Leith. Today, these paths serve as a "green lung" for Edinburgh locals looking to escape the urban bustle. Keep an eye out for grey herons patrolling the canal and the occasional highland cow as you reach the higher elevations near the Pentlands. This route perfectly captures the spirit of Scotland's capital, where wild, hilly landscapes are never more than a few miles from the city center.