Walk: Braid Hills - surveying the seven summits

April 08, 2020

City of Edinburgh | Comiston | Half day walk | ★★★

[View towards Edinburgh from the Braid Hills]

The Braid Hills are a belt of high ground rising out of the southern suburbs of Edinburgh. This is the southernmost of the city's "Seven Hills", and there's a superb panorama of the other 6 (Arthur's Seat, Castle Rock, Calton Hill, Corstorphine Hill, Craiglockhart Hill and Blackford Hill) from the summit. The latter of these is also included in the varied, 5 mile route featured here, which feels surprisingly rural despite its situation amidst residential streets. You won't be alone - the number of dogs taking their owners for walks along the Hermitage of Braid puts paid to that - but it's a great way to escape the crowds of the Royal Mile.

[Path out to Braid Road]

📌 Walk: Braid Hills - surveying the seven summits ★★★
Start / finish at street parking on Riselaw Crescent, Comiston, 3 miles south of Edinburgh Waverley station, G.R.: NT 244696 ///nest.songs.dirt. Alternative start point at the entrance to Hermitage of Braid.

▶ 8 km / 5 miles | ▲ 320 metres | ⌚ Half a day | ⬤ Moderate
Summits: Blackford Hill (164 metres); Buckstone Snab / Braid Hills (208 metres) | Features: Braidburn Valley; Hermitage of Braid (doocot & visitor centre); Blackford Pond
Terrain: Varied tarmac, dirt, grassy and muddy paths, short pavement sections. Some steep sections, especially on ascent of Blackford Hill.

Route & map

Start - Braidburn Valley (south to north) - Hermitage of Braid (doocot & visitor centre) - Blackford Pond - Blackford Hill - path junction at G.R.: NT 261702 ///gear.foods.diary - Buckstone Snab / Braid Hills - start

Route credit: Scotland off the beaten track

On our visit

Wildlife: Small birds, grey squirrels; little grebes, mallards, moorhens and swans on Blackford Pond (teals on a previous winter visit).
Weather: Sunny with scattered clouds, temperature in low teens, light winds.

Chronological photo guide