Water of Leith Walkway
Water of Leith Walkway
4.5
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- carol h1 contributionWalking part of the Waters of Leith.We have done part of this walk before..last time the sun shone brightly, the sky was blue. It made for a very beautiful few hours walk. This time it was overcast, and drizzly. So take a raincoat. The statues in the water are a novel way of marking the depth of the water. Lots of stunning photo opportunities. Highly recommended.Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 30 September 2023
- PWNottinghamNottingham, United Kingdom148 contributionsA great walk that at times could have been out in the highlands of Scotland.We really enjoyed this walk from the centre of Edinburgh to Leith. It is a lovely pathway along the river and at times we could have easily been out in the mountains of Scotland as there was no sign that we were near/in a capital city. It made an excellent break from the busyness of the city centre and there were enjoyable places to stop at along the way including Dean Village and Stockbridge and Leith when we got there. We then got the tram back. This was an excellent way to experience the walk because it was downhill all the way. It made a lovely day and we got plenty of exercise!Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 April 2024
- Alma DMillet, Canada13 contributionsSounds of natureWe stayed at the brittanica hotel just right next to the Leith walk. It is a great short cut to many areas. Nature, birds, water and when you feel the need to get out of the city. We walked it every day using google maps to lead the way.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 September 2024
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4.5
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41
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8
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bsandrs
Portsmouth, UK22,659 contributions
Aug 2020
We explored a short section of the Walkway on a previous visit to the City, so that it was particularly good to be able to continue the journey through Stockbridge to Canonmills. We followed a meandering route, sometimes beside the water and at others deviating into local fascinating areas. In that way we came across the Victorian built “Colonies” . We passed several chatty fellow walkers which added to the experience. Check the information board image for the background story. On a further visit we will travel onwards to Leith itself, always with a convenient coffee or lunch break.
Written 11 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian K
Bolton, UK381 contributions
Sept 2021
I had previously walked the "lower" part of the walkway from Leith & back up to the city. This time I decided to do the upper part & back into the city probably some 8-9 miles. I caught one of the frequent bus services (no. 44) from York Place in Edinburgh to Balerno where the official start start of the walkway is. It's easy to find just off the main road just before Balerno itself. There is a noticeboard & ample signage to indicate the start with indications to various points of interest along the way.
The route quickly becomes quite scenic whilst at the same time being easily walkable & well maintained. The underfoot conditions suit both walkers & cyclists & seems quite popular amongst locals. There are plenty of small villages / locations along the way where you can find a deli or cafe for a coffee etc & I stopped at Juniper Green & found a nice Cafe. Further along the walkway yo go through Colinton Tunnel which has been superbly restored as a community artwork for all its length & is wonderfully colourful. This is a must see & worth a bit of research beforehand.
Pathway pretty much keeps to the side of the river & you can't really go wrong. It leaves the river temporarily about 5 miles or so down & directs you to the visitor's centre which has guides, information etc & there is a cafe for refreshments, you then rejoin the walkway again next to the centre via a decked section where if you fancy you can join the Canal instead & go back to the city that way.
Next notable points are Saughton Park where again you leave the river for a while but roadside is well signposted & then on past Murrayfield Stadium. I managed to see the first of the wonderful "Gormley" figures (6 Times) which look quite eerie stood in the middle of the river, However once I got pretty much to the edge of the City Centre & before Dean Bridge a section of the walkway was closed & I decided to head back into Edinburgh & on back to my digs.
Very much preferred this part in preference to the walk upstream from Leith with the added benefit of the route being slightly downhill. Walkway is very walker friendly with good underfoot terrain & lots to see along the route & definitely recommended if you enjoy outdoors.
The route quickly becomes quite scenic whilst at the same time being easily walkable & well maintained. The underfoot conditions suit both walkers & cyclists & seems quite popular amongst locals. There are plenty of small villages / locations along the way where you can find a deli or cafe for a coffee etc & I stopped at Juniper Green & found a nice Cafe. Further along the walkway yo go through Colinton Tunnel which has been superbly restored as a community artwork for all its length & is wonderfully colourful. This is a must see & worth a bit of research beforehand.
Pathway pretty much keeps to the side of the river & you can't really go wrong. It leaves the river temporarily about 5 miles or so down & directs you to the visitor's centre which has guides, information etc & there is a cafe for refreshments, you then rejoin the walkway again next to the centre via a decked section where if you fancy you can join the Canal instead & go back to the city that way.
Next notable points are Saughton Park where again you leave the river for a while but roadside is well signposted & then on past Murrayfield Stadium. I managed to see the first of the wonderful "Gormley" figures (6 Times) which look quite eerie stood in the middle of the river, However once I got pretty much to the edge of the City Centre & before Dean Bridge a section of the walkway was closed & I decided to head back into Edinburgh & on back to my digs.
Very much preferred this part in preference to the walk upstream from Leith with the added benefit of the route being slightly downhill. Walkway is very walker friendly with good underfoot terrain & lots to see along the route & definitely recommended if you enjoy outdoors.
Written 1 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frankie T
Belfast, UK1,390 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
After browsing the shops and stocking up on coffee at Stockbridge we walked to Leith along the pathway. It is very well maintained and was quiet when we used it on a Monday morning.
This is an interesting, flat easy walk of approximately just over two miles. Lots to look at along the way and some great coffee shops in Leith at the end.
This is an interesting, flat easy walk of approximately just over two miles. Lots to look at along the way and some great coffee shops in Leith at the end.
Written 11 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike O
Roanoke, VA1,331 contributions
Feb 2020
We walked from Stockbridge to Leith and back, about 5 miles total. Quite a few others were out on the blustery mid-February day; most with dogs. Our first mile or so was quite disappointing; mud underfoot every step of the way. After that, the situation improved; wide, well-marked, pavement.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leslie W
166 contributions
Oct 2021
Dean Village is lovely and picturesque, but it’s very small, and there were no shops of museums. A nice description of the historic buildings was in the tiny park. From there I walked the Water of Leith trail, a beautiful, woodsy riverside path. Two miles seemed like nothing, it’s such a pleasant stroll under the trees. I saw a number of walkers and joggers going in both directions. There was also one nice man, not a city worker, who was picking up and bagging trash down near the water. I called out a “thank you” and he waved. I came out in Stockbridge and made my way uphill to Princes Street.
Written 10 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AMW1970
Heaton, UK535 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We visited Stockbridge a year or so ago and wanted to do the walk along the Water of Leith from Dean village to Leith during this visit.
It’s easy walking and in most parts picturesque. After wet weather bits are soggy underfoot but mostly easily passable.
The is little to no parking at Dean Village and from memory it’s not cheap. We found it easy to get to Dean Villageby bus from the Village hotel.
After a pleasant walk we took another bus from leith to the city centre.
My advice stop in Stockbridge for coffee or food and a look around some pretty up market charity shop - good vinyl and dvds at Scope. A good walk, nice food and support a good cause.
It’s easy walking and in most parts picturesque. After wet weather bits are soggy underfoot but mostly easily passable.
The is little to no parking at Dean Village and from memory it’s not cheap. We found it easy to get to Dean Villageby bus from the Village hotel.
After a pleasant walk we took another bus from leith to the city centre.
My advice stop in Stockbridge for coffee or food and a look around some pretty up market charity shop - good vinyl and dvds at Scope. A good walk, nice food and support a good cause.
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ESVincent
Hong Kong, China1,121 contributions
Sept 2020
The W of L walk isa. delightful walk along the river Leith through some of the best parts of the city. It's very popular but the stretch from Dean village to Lieth is problematic - diversions and poor signage make navigating the work hard. One of the tunnels has water in it and people struggle across branches and bits of wood.
Diversions happen but the very poor signage lefty many of us ( there were lots of us today) back tracking, walking around looking for the path.
Its a delightful walk but be prepared to test your advanced orienteering skills.
Diversions happen but the very poor signage lefty many of us ( there were lots of us today) back tracking, walking around looking for the path.
Its a delightful walk but be prepared to test your advanced orienteering skills.
Written 6 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil McBeath
Muscat, Oman27 contributions
June 2022
I visited Dean Village by the Water of Leith, having seen a video about it on Youtube. It was one of the highlights of my recent visit to Edinburgh. The upper end of the Royal Mile has become a tourist trap, and Princes Street offers no shopping that cannot be found in any other city, but Dean Village has a unique, and highly un-Scottish flavour. It was almost like being in one of the owns of Alsace or the Rhineland.
Written 11 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carol h
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Family
We have done part of this walk before..last time the sun shone brightly, the sky was blue. It made for a very beautiful few hours walk. This time it was overcast, and drizzly. So take a raincoat. The statues in the water are a novel way of marking the depth of the water. Lots of stunning photo opportunities. Highly recommended.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
craigluscar
Dunfermline, UK13,186 contributions
Feb 2020
Starting from Spylaw Street to Colinton Dell and back takes about an hour stopping to take inthe scensry and take photos. The water is high today making the weir and rapids quite spectacular . We will be back to do this in the spring as we were daoging snow and sleet showers . What a marvellous asset to the area
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does any know if the visitors centre at Slateford is open at the moment on weekdays?
Written 23 September 2020
If you look up the water of leith website and then “centre” this should help you, sadly I am unable to give the full link on this response. However there does seem to be limited opening although any exhibition is closed. Hours are limited.
Written 24 September 2020
I am so excited about this walk but I have no idea what the best route to make THE MOST OF IT. I will be staying in Edinburgh, Cityroomz and I appreciate if you can guide me through this. And how much time do I need if I am willing to take the whole walk? Thanks.
Written 9 May 2018
Hi, from where you are going to stay, the best route is from Modern Gallery on Belford Road, if you join here you can walk along to Stockbridge which is a lovely little village within the town. This isn't a particularly long walk, but it would give you a feel for it. You will pass St Bernard's Well with the amazing statue of Hygeia. From Stockbridge, where I suggest you have a look around, you can then join the path again to Canonmills, again another small part of Edinburgh with nice cafes and a few shops. I hope you enjoy your stay.
Written 17 May 2018
Im travelling there at the end of August with a teenager and my husband wh's not a keen walker. I heard the entire walk takes about 2 1/2 to do, and that it's possible to choose any section. What would be the best recommended stretch in terms of history and scenery?
Written 2 August 2017
The stretch from the Modern Art gallery to Dean village is not too long and very pretty and then you can go back into the city quite easily!
Written 3 August 2017
Is there access to both Edinburgh centre and Leith using this walkway? If I were to stay in one could I use this to get to the other?
Written 10 April 2017
Yes there is. The walkway ends in Leith (next to a multitude of bars and restaurants) and you can access the city centre at Haymarket or Stockbridge. Both are a short walk into the city and signposted
Written 27 September 2017
We were there on a cold morning and did not see many other people. Only a local could tell if it's ok at all times. I would not go there after dark, but rather in the middle of the day. It is a popular walkway as I understand.
Written 18 February 2017
Is the guided walk from Colinton to Slateford still on today?
Written 12 June 2016
Can I arrange Halong Bay tour through hotel or am I best to book online before travelling ?
Written 8 September 2015
You can indeed, however if you are worried about being lonely then I wouldn’t as if you went by yourself you’d be alone
Written 2 June 2018
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