Pentland Hills
Pentland Hills
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simonevans1160
Edinburgh, UK2 contributions
Dec 2020
Whilst this is a beautiful place , there are a few caveats people should be aware of I believe.
Sheep.
1here are always sheep somewhere roaming free , and several fields with cattle as well. The number and range of the sheep makes it impossible to let a dog of the lead here as they (sheep) can suddendly appear from behind the next gorse bush. It is possible to walk the lowerSW area by the resevoirs sheep free buti n summer this is very very crowded. I walk my dogs here in winter only.
The water in the reservoirs occasionally has toxic algae blooms.
The weather can be extreme on the hills , the whole are is usually several degrees colder than the city , and in winter has snow when nowhere else does.
Mud , plenty of it.
Sheep.
1here are always sheep somewhere roaming free , and several fields with cattle as well. The number and range of the sheep makes it impossible to let a dog of the lead here as they (sheep) can suddendly appear from behind the next gorse bush. It is possible to walk the lowerSW area by the resevoirs sheep free buti n summer this is very very crowded. I walk my dogs here in winter only.
The water in the reservoirs occasionally has toxic algae blooms.
The weather can be extreme on the hills , the whole are is usually several degrees colder than the city , and in winter has snow when nowhere else does.
Mud , plenty of it.
Written 25 July 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.
ItTastesLikeFeet
Edinburgh, UK495 contributions
Feb 2021 • Solo
Currently still blanketed with snow so walks are a little more treacherous but still beautiful. Lovely trails with differing difficulties so there is something for everyone. The car parks get full (particularly on weekends) so arrive early to avoid a fine for parking on the road!
Written 6 February 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.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK185,662 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
The Pentlands Hills have several hills in sequence which make for a challenging half day hike. One that we like to do is Carnethy Hil, Scald Law, West Kip and East Kip, then return in the opposite direction. This would take about 4 hours although the latter 3 hills are steep that will leave a lot of people breathless. It can also get very windy to the point where you're being blown a couple of metres.
There's also flatter routes on the north side of the reservoirs which do eventually take hikers to the aforementioned hills as well. However, there are so many options for hiking routes, these hills have plenty of revisit value
There is a good sized car park next to the Pentland Hills Cafe Express which is a good starting point for all walks.
There's also flatter routes on the north side of the reservoirs which do eventually take hikers to the aforementioned hills as well. However, there are so many options for hiking routes, these hills have plenty of revisit value
There is a good sized car park next to the Pentland Hills Cafe Express which is a good starting point for all walks.
Written 22 January 2024
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.
DantesDame
Basel, Switzerland232 contributions
Jul 2023
This park is so easy to get to from the city (Lothian Buses) and it provides a wonderful, natural get away. There are many trails to choose from, the landscape is beautiful. When we walked through, there were many sheep but now Highland cows, unfortunately.
Written 28 July 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.
Derek G
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom5,168 contributions
Nov 2011 • Solo
The Pentlands are a series of hills SW of Edinburgh, starting right on the outskirts. There are lots of ways onto the hills, and many require cars to be convenient, however bus access is easy from Hillend, Bonaly, Flotterstone and Carlops, so longs you time it right.
If you're visiting Edinburgh, you should really try to get out of town for a day. Why not build that into your programme? The details below recommend a short walk for those who like country but not hills, of a full day out for those who need to regenerate after a few days around town.
Flotterstone is recommended for gentle walks of any length, a road from there penetrates into the middle of the hills, passing two reservoirs. You might see dippers, cuckoos Peregrines depending on where and when. Take a picnic.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=321852&Y=662955&A=Y&Z=120 for map details, but you can see the rout on the day at the Ranger Centre.
I'll look at Hillend as a starting point for ascents to some tops.
Firstly there's a nice pub at the bottom of the hill, with good food, so mark it down for the return leg. There's a short road up to the ski centre if you want to gain a little height before walking.
From the ski centre you can head straight South (and straight up) and there are paths which zigzag up the hills past the ski slopes, coming out on Caerketton Hill at a height of about 480 metres (over 1500 feet)
Again from the Ski Centre you can walk up the woodlands on the right hand side then strike due West, traversing the hillside. You can then ascend either the left or the right of Allermuir Hill 490 metres (about 1600 feet).
I recommend you go up one way and down the other. The two peaks are no distance apart.
Map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=323512&Y=666710&A=Y&Z=120
About 1 hour 30 minutes if you crack on at a good speed, two hours or more if you'e more relaxed (?) about ascending.
The classic Pentlands day out.
I usually take a bus down to Carlops and walk a number of tops heading back to Edinburgh. This can be shortened somewhat by getting off the bus at Ninemileburn.
At the N end of Carlops there's a little footpath heading onto the hills. You can follow this awhile, then ascend rightwards up the slopes until you can see more clearly you have now hit a ridge. From then on (in good weather) it's plain sailing, and the route goes Patie's Hill, Spittal Hill, Greenlaw, East Kip, West Kip, Scald Law, Carnethy, Turnhouse. From there you can descend to Flotterstone Inn (pub, car park, ranger centre, bus)
Here's the first part as a map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=316672&Y=657215&A=Y&Z=120
Alternatively you could descend NE to Glencorse reservoir, cross the road and then ascend West of Castlelaw Hill, then climbing Allermuir and Caerketton, before descending to the ski centre and then to the main road (good pub, buses).
The full route is a proper day out with quite a few miles, mostly on decent paths but quite a lot of up and down. Call it 20 Km, and over 1000 metres ascent, making a 5-6 hour journey at least, probably longer. Even the shorter route to Flotterstone is not for the unfit at 13-14 Km and over 700 metres of ascent making a 4-5 hour trip, even at a decent pace.
I like hills and mountains and I'm out in the Pentlands regularly. The long route is my favourite Pentlands leg-stretcher. If you too like hills you won't regret a permutation of the above: nice hills, you'll bump into a few nice people along the way, and the views are superb especially from Allermuir northwards.
None of the above is technically difficult but you need to be hill-fit to get the best out of it. And it's boots not shoes ...
If you're visiting Edinburgh and thinking about a walk, you an always 'ask' me a question and I'll try to help.
If you're visiting Edinburgh, you should really try to get out of town for a day. Why not build that into your programme? The details below recommend a short walk for those who like country but not hills, of a full day out for those who need to regenerate after a few days around town.
Flotterstone is recommended for gentle walks of any length, a road from there penetrates into the middle of the hills, passing two reservoirs. You might see dippers, cuckoos Peregrines depending on where and when. Take a picnic.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=321852&Y=662955&A=Y&Z=120 for map details, but you can see the rout on the day at the Ranger Centre.
I'll look at Hillend as a starting point for ascents to some tops.
Firstly there's a nice pub at the bottom of the hill, with good food, so mark it down for the return leg. There's a short road up to the ski centre if you want to gain a little height before walking.
From the ski centre you can head straight South (and straight up) and there are paths which zigzag up the hills past the ski slopes, coming out on Caerketton Hill at a height of about 480 metres (over 1500 feet)
Again from the Ski Centre you can walk up the woodlands on the right hand side then strike due West, traversing the hillside. You can then ascend either the left or the right of Allermuir Hill 490 metres (about 1600 feet).
I recommend you go up one way and down the other. The two peaks are no distance apart.
Map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=323512&Y=666710&A=Y&Z=120
About 1 hour 30 minutes if you crack on at a good speed, two hours or more if you'e more relaxed (?) about ascending.
The classic Pentlands day out.
I usually take a bus down to Carlops and walk a number of tops heading back to Edinburgh. This can be shortened somewhat by getting off the bus at Ninemileburn.
At the N end of Carlops there's a little footpath heading onto the hills. You can follow this awhile, then ascend rightwards up the slopes until you can see more clearly you have now hit a ridge. From then on (in good weather) it's plain sailing, and the route goes Patie's Hill, Spittal Hill, Greenlaw, East Kip, West Kip, Scald Law, Carnethy, Turnhouse. From there you can descend to Flotterstone Inn (pub, car park, ranger centre, bus)
Here's the first part as a map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=316672&Y=657215&A=Y&Z=120
Alternatively you could descend NE to Glencorse reservoir, cross the road and then ascend West of Castlelaw Hill, then climbing Allermuir and Caerketton, before descending to the ski centre and then to the main road (good pub, buses).
The full route is a proper day out with quite a few miles, mostly on decent paths but quite a lot of up and down. Call it 20 Km, and over 1000 metres ascent, making a 5-6 hour journey at least, probably longer. Even the shorter route to Flotterstone is not for the unfit at 13-14 Km and over 700 metres of ascent making a 4-5 hour trip, even at a decent pace.
I like hills and mountains and I'm out in the Pentlands regularly. The long route is my favourite Pentlands leg-stretcher. If you too like hills you won't regret a permutation of the above: nice hills, you'll bump into a few nice people along the way, and the views are superb especially from Allermuir northwards.
None of the above is technically difficult but you need to be hill-fit to get the best out of it. And it's boots not shoes ...
If you're visiting Edinburgh and thinking about a walk, you an always 'ask' me a question and I'll try to help.
Written 25 January 2012
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.
rs042114b
Glasgow, UK55 contributions
Oct 2011 • Couples
Glencorse reservoir Walk is a beautiful scenic walk that all the family can enjoy!
Park in the free car park by the Ranger Centre, just off the A702 by the Flotterstone Inn. The Ranger Centre has free toilets! Follow the signs for the reservoir and this takes you trough two gates in quick succession to enter woodland, passing what were once the filter beds to purify the water from the reservoir, as well as a small derelict cottage. Leave the path to photograph a cascading waterfall on the left then rejoin the path as it leaves the burn and bears slightly right to climb up through the pinewoods, emerging at a gate onto the minor road above. Turn left here and follow the road, coming to Glencorse Reservoir. Then return along the tarmac road or retrace your steps through the wood. It is a very enjoyable walk for all the family and you may see birds of prey and various other birds and wildlife.
Park in the free car park by the Ranger Centre, just off the A702 by the Flotterstone Inn. The Ranger Centre has free toilets! Follow the signs for the reservoir and this takes you trough two gates in quick succession to enter woodland, passing what were once the filter beds to purify the water from the reservoir, as well as a small derelict cottage. Leave the path to photograph a cascading waterfall on the left then rejoin the path as it leaves the burn and bears slightly right to climb up through the pinewoods, emerging at a gate onto the minor road above. Turn left here and follow the road, coming to Glencorse Reservoir. Then return along the tarmac road or retrace your steps through the wood. It is a very enjoyable walk for all the family and you may see birds of prey and various other birds and wildlife.
Written 17 October 2011
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.
James S
2 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
Although the sun was shining it was a cold and windy day. I thought, 'let's go for a walk through The Pentland Hills. You cannot expect better weather'. The hills are located south of Edinburgh. So I caught a bus to Bonaly at 8.50 am. The bus was delayed a little bit - or a wee bit as the scottish people say. But it could not bother me. Since my arrival in Edinburgh one week ago I am used to living a more relaxed way.
At 9.30 the bus arrived in Bonaly. I walked straight to the hills, passing the very nice Bonaly primary school on the way. As I reached the border of the hills I had to open a gate. Because I did it for the first time it took me a little while. The mechanism was not really a complicated one and based on my new gate opening skills I opened the following gates much faster than the first one.
I enjoyed walking through the woods even though the path went straight up. After ten minutes or so the woods disappeared and I had the first exciting moment of the day as I could see the hills right in front of me, and when I turned around I could see Edinburgh behind me. At that moment I decided to walk straight to the top of all the hills I could reach in one day. A few minutes later I passed a wee forest on my right hand side and stood at the bottom of my first hill of the day: Capelow Hill. I guessed the view from that hill would be really amazing. As I had known from my former trips to Scotland the best way to go to the top of a hill is the direct path. So I followed the line of footsteps in front of me right to the top.
When I stood upon the hill I took a deep breath while I was enjoying the great views I had. On the one hand I could see nothing than deep valleys and hill tops for miles. On the other hand while turning my head I had an astonishing view of Edinburgh. It seemed to be very near and far away at the same time.
However, I could see the next place to go. At this time I did not know its name. The only thing I knew was that I would like to get to the top of this hill. I carried on. While I was descending Capelow Hill two young men on their bicycles passed me by. Their speed was incredibly fast! I was very scared for them but I learned that they were great downhill experts. They reached the bottom of the hill without any problems.
The ascent of my second hill this day cost me more energy than I had expected. So I reached the summit breathless but happy. Furthermore I gained two rewards. Firstly, again an excellent view. Secondly, a plaque at the top told me the name of the hill. Its name was Allermuir Hill. After looking on my map I now knew where I was. And I decided where to go next. As I looked over the Pentland Hills I saw a group of hills which looked like the group of mountains you can see in the movie 'The Lord of the Rings'. At that moment I decided to get on these six hills. Their names were Castlelaw, Turnhouse, Carnethy, Scald Law, East Kip and West Kip.
Castlelaw was not as exciting as I expected. I had to go back along the path I went up because of the very limited access in this area due to military requirements. On my way back I decided to leave the signed path to walk through the valley. When I stood on the top of Allermuir I could not see the reservoir which was located right behind Castlelaw. But as I began to see it on my way around Castlelaw the view I had was beautyful, and so was the 'Queens' View' sieht.
But if I wanted to follow my plan to climb Turnhouse next, I would have to cross the reservoir which was an impossible idea! As I reached the shore of the reservoir I took a little break. I recharged my batteries by drinking water and eating cookies. This helped me to make the decision just to change the climbing order of the hills. So I followed the paved path passing two Reservoirs, Glencorse and Loganlea, and climbed West Kip. It appeared to be the hardest and longest ascent of the day. As I reached the peak I looked back to where I had begun my hill climbing this morning. Evers hill I had climbed I could see in a row behind me.
I continued to follow the path to the remaining peaks. Although the sky was blue the sun could not warm me up. The wind blew so hard and so icy I only wished to come to the end of my journey. I had climbed one hill after the other 'ticking boxes'. But standing on the peak of Turnhouse with no energy I was so proud and happy that I climbed eight hills in one day. And from Turnhouse peak I could see my last but finest reward: Fotterstone Inn. After dining in that nice pub I took a cab back to Edinburgh. Finally, I arrived at my the hotel - really tired but really happy.
At 9.30 the bus arrived in Bonaly. I walked straight to the hills, passing the very nice Bonaly primary school on the way. As I reached the border of the hills I had to open a gate. Because I did it for the first time it took me a little while. The mechanism was not really a complicated one and based on my new gate opening skills I opened the following gates much faster than the first one.
I enjoyed walking through the woods even though the path went straight up. After ten minutes or so the woods disappeared and I had the first exciting moment of the day as I could see the hills right in front of me, and when I turned around I could see Edinburgh behind me. At that moment I decided to walk straight to the top of all the hills I could reach in one day. A few minutes later I passed a wee forest on my right hand side and stood at the bottom of my first hill of the day: Capelow Hill. I guessed the view from that hill would be really amazing. As I had known from my former trips to Scotland the best way to go to the top of a hill is the direct path. So I followed the line of footsteps in front of me right to the top.
When I stood upon the hill I took a deep breath while I was enjoying the great views I had. On the one hand I could see nothing than deep valleys and hill tops for miles. On the other hand while turning my head I had an astonishing view of Edinburgh. It seemed to be very near and far away at the same time.
However, I could see the next place to go. At this time I did not know its name. The only thing I knew was that I would like to get to the top of this hill. I carried on. While I was descending Capelow Hill two young men on their bicycles passed me by. Their speed was incredibly fast! I was very scared for them but I learned that they were great downhill experts. They reached the bottom of the hill without any problems.
The ascent of my second hill this day cost me more energy than I had expected. So I reached the summit breathless but happy. Furthermore I gained two rewards. Firstly, again an excellent view. Secondly, a plaque at the top told me the name of the hill. Its name was Allermuir Hill. After looking on my map I now knew where I was. And I decided where to go next. As I looked over the Pentland Hills I saw a group of hills which looked like the group of mountains you can see in the movie 'The Lord of the Rings'. At that moment I decided to get on these six hills. Their names were Castlelaw, Turnhouse, Carnethy, Scald Law, East Kip and West Kip.
Castlelaw was not as exciting as I expected. I had to go back along the path I went up because of the very limited access in this area due to military requirements. On my way back I decided to leave the signed path to walk through the valley. When I stood on the top of Allermuir I could not see the reservoir which was located right behind Castlelaw. But as I began to see it on my way around Castlelaw the view I had was beautyful, and so was the 'Queens' View' sieht.
But if I wanted to follow my plan to climb Turnhouse next, I would have to cross the reservoir which was an impossible idea! As I reached the shore of the reservoir I took a little break. I recharged my batteries by drinking water and eating cookies. This helped me to make the decision just to change the climbing order of the hills. So I followed the paved path passing two Reservoirs, Glencorse and Loganlea, and climbed West Kip. It appeared to be the hardest and longest ascent of the day. As I reached the peak I looked back to where I had begun my hill climbing this morning. Evers hill I had climbed I could see in a row behind me.
I continued to follow the path to the remaining peaks. Although the sky was blue the sun could not warm me up. The wind blew so hard and so icy I only wished to come to the end of my journey. I had climbed one hill after the other 'ticking boxes'. But standing on the peak of Turnhouse with no energy I was so proud and happy that I climbed eight hills in one day. And from Turnhouse peak I could see my last but finest reward: Fotterstone Inn. After dining in that nice pub I took a cab back to Edinburgh. Finally, I arrived at my the hotel - really tired but really happy.
Written 26 February 2015
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.
Kroglund
Roskilde, Denmark354 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
I had only a few days in Edinburgh on this autumn trip to Scotland, but I felt for a little "highland" and took the bus to The Pentlands, a 40 minutes ride from downtown Edinburgh. Price was a little over 2 pounds return.
The Pentlands is a huge area and I decided to start my 15 km walk at Flotterstone village. I had a guidebook, which wasn't of much use, it was very 'local' and though used at walking in the "wild" I missed a turn and ended with more than 20 km walking. But The Pentlands is a BEAUTIFUL area, interesting and fulfilling, but be careful with the map. You can find many good walks, when you get there and read the signs/informationboards.
The Pentlands is a huge area and I decided to start my 15 km walk at Flotterstone village. I had a guidebook, which wasn't of much use, it was very 'local' and though used at walking in the "wild" I missed a turn and ended with more than 20 km walking. But The Pentlands is a BEAUTIFUL area, interesting and fulfilling, but be careful with the map. You can find many good walks, when you get there and read the signs/informationboards.
Written 2 October 2014
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.
Gilliane M
Edinburgh, UK316 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
I have been up the Pentlands in weather fair and foul and always find fulfilment, it offers a range of different hills and although I love munro's can be content with a day in The Pentland's.
Ranger centre at Flotterstone, ( toilets , information, parking ) and small cottage come visitor centre ie 2 display rooms and 1 toilet and wildlife garden to sit in at Harlaw, each has information and leaflets available. - or buy yourself a map if you are planning a visit directly up the hills.
From my school geography I remember the statement 'The Pentland HIlls are a stretch of hills 40 miles in length, pointing like a finger towards Edinburgh'
They are a large body of assorted hills of different sizes, with 'cleughs' ( dirt path) between them and tracks over them, as well as some paved areas ( near the Edinburgh end ) around some reservoirs and near to some car parked areas, allowing a plannned wee daunder with pram or wheelchair, or walking stick for a short and briefer encounter ( and lunch at Flotterstone Inn ) - ( check out the accessibility yourself for your own specific needs )
There are some buses that go near from Edinburgh, there also used to be a Pentlands Post bus type service in Summer that circulated round so you get it to one point, walk over and meet it at another - but I'm not sure if this is still available.
Parking at the other side you can look for spaces at Carlops, West Linton and Garvald ect.
During hot Summer weekend days the (Edinburgh) car parks tend to fill up quickly so best to get there early if you are planning a day out.
Dogs are only allowed in certain areas due to livestock,/ lambing season, visiting geese, people fishing ect so check with Ranger service
Also is used by scouts ( camp at Bonally ) and by youth doing Duke of Edinburgh. and sometimes army on training,
Have walked on my own, with husband, with friends and with youth and generally there is good hill manners and people say hello and nod and sometimes even a wee chatette, even the cyclists on lower tracks say thank you when stand to one side.
The highest point is actually Scald Law at 579 with Allermuir being 493, but most tops give decent views when clear- and a sense of achievement. whatever the weather
Do be sensible if you are actually going up the hills and wear decent footwear, with rucksack ( folding waterproofs stashed away in the bottom always a good idea) and take enough food and water supplies( and then some ) a mat to sit on, and an extra jumper/layer it can be extremely windy and cold at times on the tops even if it is baking hot at the car park. and please never wear jeans - these are Scottish hills and can be wet, damp, boggy and full of heather, - tracksuit bottoms or light quick drying walking trousers are best and more comfortable.
I have never seen any adders there myself , but know of two cases ( both years ago ) where they appeared off track.
For a decent day walks for those fit and able and used to walking, West Kip, East Kip, Scald Law, Carnethy HIll and Turnhouse Hill with a drop down to follow path to Flotterstone Inn and back flatter route gives a good stretch of the legs. - but get a map and plan where you intend to go and gauge how long it will take you and leave a note of the route you intend to take with someone at home. ( also be aware some of the cleughs you are in a dip surrounded by hills so mobile signals don't always work there )
Do keep young children beside you at all times especially on the tops of the hills, there can be areas that need focus to safely ascend/ descend :)
The army do rifle training from time to time near the Bonaly end and if you see a red flag on a hill - take a different route, and on the 12th August some areas owned privately do grouse. so not always the quietest day to visit.
So an extensive waffle, but do go, enjoy God's freely given beauty of the Pentlands.
Ranger centre at Flotterstone, ( toilets , information, parking ) and small cottage come visitor centre ie 2 display rooms and 1 toilet and wildlife garden to sit in at Harlaw, each has information and leaflets available. - or buy yourself a map if you are planning a visit directly up the hills.
From my school geography I remember the statement 'The Pentland HIlls are a stretch of hills 40 miles in length, pointing like a finger towards Edinburgh'
They are a large body of assorted hills of different sizes, with 'cleughs' ( dirt path) between them and tracks over them, as well as some paved areas ( near the Edinburgh end ) around some reservoirs and near to some car parked areas, allowing a plannned wee daunder with pram or wheelchair, or walking stick for a short and briefer encounter ( and lunch at Flotterstone Inn ) - ( check out the accessibility yourself for your own specific needs )
There are some buses that go near from Edinburgh, there also used to be a Pentlands Post bus type service in Summer that circulated round so you get it to one point, walk over and meet it at another - but I'm not sure if this is still available.
Parking at the other side you can look for spaces at Carlops, West Linton and Garvald ect.
During hot Summer weekend days the (Edinburgh) car parks tend to fill up quickly so best to get there early if you are planning a day out.
Dogs are only allowed in certain areas due to livestock,/ lambing season, visiting geese, people fishing ect so check with Ranger service
Also is used by scouts ( camp at Bonally ) and by youth doing Duke of Edinburgh. and sometimes army on training,
Have walked on my own, with husband, with friends and with youth and generally there is good hill manners and people say hello and nod and sometimes even a wee chatette, even the cyclists on lower tracks say thank you when stand to one side.
The highest point is actually Scald Law at 579 with Allermuir being 493, but most tops give decent views when clear- and a sense of achievement. whatever the weather
Do be sensible if you are actually going up the hills and wear decent footwear, with rucksack ( folding waterproofs stashed away in the bottom always a good idea) and take enough food and water supplies( and then some ) a mat to sit on, and an extra jumper/layer it can be extremely windy and cold at times on the tops even if it is baking hot at the car park. and please never wear jeans - these are Scottish hills and can be wet, damp, boggy and full of heather, - tracksuit bottoms or light quick drying walking trousers are best and more comfortable.
I have never seen any adders there myself , but know of two cases ( both years ago ) where they appeared off track.
For a decent day walks for those fit and able and used to walking, West Kip, East Kip, Scald Law, Carnethy HIll and Turnhouse Hill with a drop down to follow path to Flotterstone Inn and back flatter route gives a good stretch of the legs. - but get a map and plan where you intend to go and gauge how long it will take you and leave a note of the route you intend to take with someone at home. ( also be aware some of the cleughs you are in a dip surrounded by hills so mobile signals don't always work there )
Do keep young children beside you at all times especially on the tops of the hills, there can be areas that need focus to safely ascend/ descend :)
The army do rifle training from time to time near the Bonaly end and if you see a red flag on a hill - take a different route, and on the 12th August some areas owned privately do grouse. so not always the quietest day to visit.
So an extensive waffle, but do go, enjoy God's freely given beauty of the Pentlands.
Written 25 July 2013
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.
Paulina S
Edinburgh, UK444 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Me and my hubby felt in love with this place, the adventure of exploring stunning new tracks is never ending. The views are incredible, we come here every weekend for 3 hours walk and always find another path!!!
Written 22 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.
There's a car parking?
What's the best way to go from Livingston?
Written 30 December 2019
It says it is closed on Sunday!! Is that true? Or i can still have a walk but a cafe or the restaurant is closed?
Written 4 February 2017
Only information centre is closed. As it a park, there's no opening times as such - you can come and enjoy paths and hills whenever you like :) Restaurant-pub near by is open 7days as well.
Written 7 February 2017
is this transvestite friendly were we can walk in piece
Written 7 May 2016
amy9876543210
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Hi guys, could you let me know how to see this Glencorse View Walk without having a car? I am a student so I can go there by either bus or walking. Cheers :)
Written 16 February 2015
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