Penicuik to Musselburgh Cycleway

Distance	Approximate Time	Height Gain	OS Map
17.3 kms	06:00 (hrs:mins)	0 metres	Explorer 344 & 345: Pentland Hills and Lammermuir Hills

Description

The route is mainly flat, off-road and passes through a range of spectacular landscapes and built heritage. Visitors can either do the whole length or just one or two sections since car parking is available at strategic points. Midlothian Ranger Service manages the route for the benefit of people and wildlife.

From the Valleyfield Pond at Penicuik, take the cycle-walkway, which follows part of the old Edinburgh-Peebles rail line alongside the River North Esk to Harper's Brae.The path continues along the former rail line through mature woodlands at Beeslack and on to the Bowstring Bridge just before Auchendinny. Shortly after the bridge looms the first of two tunnels. Proceed through the Auchendinny Tunnel and within a further 300m is the Firth Tunnel and after a further 200m you will be upon the Firth Viaduct from which point there are fine views over the surrounding landscape. The path continues to Roslin Glen and the former Rosslyn Castle Station where the old name board is maintained by the local heritage society. There is a signposted access point into Roslin Glen from the walkway. If you wish, wander through this wondrous woodland site for a few minutes.

Back on the walkway it is only another 1.5km to the Rosslynlee car park on the outskirts of the village of Rosewell. The path crosses the road at the B6094 just before Rosewell then continues past Rosewell through arable farmland to Bonnyrigg.

Passing Bonnyrigg the route bridges the A7 at Hardengreen by Tesco and continues to Dalkeith. Take the right fork at the path junction in Dalkeith and you will arrive at the watertower in Cemetery Road. From the watertower the route is waymarked through the town centre as Part of the Route 1 National Cycle Route until reaching Dalkeith Joint School Campus at Thornybank.

The route becomes an off-road cycle-walkway once again to the village of Whitecraig. Follow the Route 1 signposts through the village for approximately 300m. At the first bend in the road turn right to join the off road cycle-walkway once again and on along the River Esk towards Musselburgh.

It should be noted that the Musselburgh section of walkway is connected to Edinburgh City Centre via a cycle path starting at Arthur's Seat as part of the 'Innocent Railway'.

Access Info

Walk starts at Valleyfield Pond, Penicuik and finishes at Musselburgh High Street. There are regular buses from Edinburgh to Penicuik and Musselburgh.