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Cycling Routes in Edinburgh: Explore the Hidden Gems

Cycling Routes in Edinburgh: Explore the Hidden Gems

Fresh air does everybody good, so imagine it rushing through your nostrils as you pedal through Edinburgh. Situated amidst rolling hills and historic streets, Edinburgh is a paradise found for cycling enthusiasts, no matter if you’re a pro or a beginner. Cycle to centuries-old castles across the Meadows and to Portobello Beach.

Or take a stroll from Duddingston Loch, with Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park in the background. These cycling routes in Edinburgh have been specially curated for your utmost enjoyment, with the best sites in Edinburgh at the forefront of every route. So, without further ado, let’s look at the top cycling routes in Edinburgh from Walk Run Cycle, shall we?

Top Cycling Routes in Edinburgh

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Saughton Park and Cramond Beach

Cycling Routes in Edinburgh: Explore the Hidden Gems
Image: Scotland off the Beaten Track, 2024

This Edinburgh cycling route begins and ends in Saughtin Park and leads you via beautiful paths to Lauriston Castle, a derelict Bunker, and Cramond Beach. Luckily, if you do not have your own bike, you could simply rent one from Cyle Scotland, Tartan Bike Hire, or Leith Cycle Co. However, if you do have a bike, Parkopedia can help you find parking before your cycling adventure. This route is a hidden gem out of all the cycling routes in Edinburgh and disembarks at Saughton Park. Now housing one of the largest skateboard parks in Scotland, built in 2010, it’s now a 34-acre park home to various botanicals, sports facilities, and well-kept open spaces. Saughton Park today stands as a testament to Edinburgh’s green space legacy.

Then, leaving this lively park, you’ll head to Walled Garden on Corstorphine Hill, which has been featured on BBC Scotland’s Beechgrove Garden. The garden is accessible to everyone and is impeccably beautiful. After visiting the garden, you’ll head to Barnton Quarry, which is working to become a Cold War Museum and education centre. There are various spots to stop and awe at during this 22km Edinburgh Cycle Route, which is easily among the best cycling routes in Edinburgh.

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Markets and Parks Cycle

Cycling Routes in Edinburgh: Explore the Hidden Gems
Image: The Edinburgh Reporter, 2024

Ah…what could be better than cycling through markets and parks? Wait, I know! Nothing! This 7.5km cycling route begins at Starbank Park, continues to Victoria Park, and ends at Leith Farmer’s Market. How cute would it be if you could ride with your bicycle to the market, grab a bunch of fresh produce, place it into your basket at the front or back of your two-wheeler, and head home with your bell signalling to passers-by that you just went to market? You know, like in a French movie? Anyway, no matter the aesthetic of your bike, 7.5km is not that hard, so worthwhile, and slightly romanticising your life. This route is easily among the top cycling routes in Edinburgh.

Starbank Park boasts incredible cherry blossom trees and 360-degree views, depending on your position. This park also has a Hans Christian Anderson-inspired trail that highlights his work. I highly encourage you to walk along this trail if you have time to spare. Eventually, you’ll head into Victoria Park, which has been awarded a Green Flag since 2011. The Green Flag is a testament to the grounds’ landscaping and design, and if you’re there during the spring, then keep an eye out for colourful daffodils. Finally, you’ll stroll into Leith Farmer’s Market, which is open every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Farmer’s markets are where you’ll find fresh, locally grown, homemade products that will elevate your home living. Moreover, you can find great gifts here as well. However, this cycling route does not end there. If you want to cycle this 7.5 Edinburgh Marks and Parks route, you can. Follow the route as usual, and eventually, you’ll get to Stockbridge Marker, run by the same organisers as Leith Farmers Market. This market is open on Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm, and you’ll find all the same things here as you do at the Leith market.

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Arthur’s Seat Circular Cycle

Cycling Routes in Edinburgh: Explore the Hidden Gems
Image: Get Your Guide, 2024

This 12km circular bike route commences at Arthur’s Seat and continues to Portobello and the enigmatic Coade Stone Columns. Take a short bike down the enigmatic Coade Stone Columns. During this cycling route, you’ll also take a short bike ride down the windy Portobello beach to visit Ailie Muschat’s cairn; then, you’ll continue to Abbey Strand to see the Sanctuary stones. Although 12km sounds daunting on a bike, it’s practically nothing, especially since this route is mainly paved and somewhat level.

Perfect way to spend a Saturday, right? Just leisurely pedalling through the most awe-inspiring parts of Scotland on one of the best cycling routes in Edinburgh. Arthur’s seat is why Edinburgh exists, and it is a popular tourist hotspot within the city. It’s not hard to find; if you do, look forward to some amazing city views. Arthur’s Seat is such an exciting spot in Edinburg and contains so many mysteries, legends, and lore that you need to visit the site for yourself.  Eventually, you’ll come across Portobello Community Gardens and the Coade Stone Columns if you follow the curated route from Walk Run Cycle. These columns are mesmerising, weaved with intricate details and stand today as they stood all those hundreds of years ago. They are also rather mysterious.

You’ll turn left and right on various rounds, like Willowbrae Road and Kenmure Avenue. Then, following the guide, you’ll turn left onto Duke’s Walk to see Ailie Muschat’s Cairn. A cairn, pronounced ‘ken’, is a monument of sorts constructed out of irregular rocks. Muscat’s Carin today stands as a reminder and a place where surgeon Nichol Muschat murdered his wife, Ailie Muschat, in 1720. Justice was served, however, as Nichol confessed and was hanged in the Grassmarket. For this reason, the 12km Arthur’s Seat Circular Cycle is among the most exciting cycling routes in Edinburgh.

If you enjoy this article, be sure to read about the walking routes in Edinburgh you wont find anywhere else!

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Cycling Routes in Edinburgh: The Best Way to See the City

Cycling Routes in Edinburgh: Explore the Hidden Gems
Image: Hidden Scotland, 2024

Edinburgh is Scotland’s most precious city, and with these cycling routes in Edinburgh, it’s easy to see why. From Arthur’s Seat to farmer’s markets highlighting the culture of Scotland, cycling through the city is a different way to take it all in and appreciate it more. So, if you’re feeling like getting to know Edinburgh a little better or diving deeper into its hidden gems, then these cycling routes in Edinburgh are the perfect way to go about it.

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Hi there! I’m Megan, an absolute lover of words, literature, books, stories, anything that has to do with writing, reading, imagining. Because of my passion, I decided to make writing my life, and with that, I decided to study BA Languages at the University of Pretoria and am happy to report that I made my dream come true by graduating and becoming a travel writer. During my final year I wrote for my campus newspaper, the PDBY, where I learned to trust my writing voice. Now, as I sit here writing my petit little bio, I feel more in love with writing than I’ve ever been. Turns out, like much of my personality, my writing can equally showcase both the calm and put-together, as well as the crazy.