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(2) Round Edinburgh off-road

This section contains the major hills and some interesting mountain biking.

Route Profile

Round Edinburgh part 2 profile

Route Map

Map of round edinburgh part 2

Key route details

Region(s): Edinburgh & Lothians
Distance: 10 miles
Difficulty: Moderate route
Type of Ride: Trail Riding
Surface: Tarmac
Environment: Urban and Rural

Start Point: Balerno
End Point: Auchendinny

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The Pentland Hills: the Pentlands can seem as remote and beautiful as any of Scotland’s hills. They are now a Regional Park, mountain biking is allowed on marked routes and these are colour coded. Yellow - suitable for cycling. Green - subject to erosion, no fierce braking. Red - risk of collision. You are not allowed to cycle on blue paths

SECTION 2 - At Balerno High School turn left on to Bridge Road. After 400 metres turn left up Bavelaw Road, signed Malleny House Garden. Keep straight on up the hill to leave Balerno. At Red Moss Wildlife Reserve take the left fork towards the hills. Cross Threipmuir reservoir, then at the T junction at the top of Beech Avenue turn left, and then right (right of way sign). Follow the made up path across the hills, after a mile it becomes a rough track, but still rideable. At Loganlea Reservoir the route becomes a road again. Follow this to the Flotterstone Inn. Turn right on to the A702. (The Flotterstone Inn is an good place to stop for lunch or a drink.) After a little way turn left off the A702 to an unmarked dirt lane by a Victorian stone built cottage with a modern extension at the back, do not cycle up the hill on the A702. Bear right at the first junction then turn right at the farm. When you meet a minor road turn left then cross the A701 to Auchendinny. In Auchendinny go straight over and down to the paper mill. The Penicuik to Dalkeith cycle route runs past it. Turn left on to the cycle route cycling past the paper mill. NOW GO TO SECTION 3. In the easy section