Pentland Peaks

Distance	Approximate Time	Height Gain	OS Map
18 kms	06:00 (hrs:mins)	970 metres	Explorer 344: Pentland Hills

Description

This is a challenging route in the Midlothian hills surrounding the south of Edinburgh City and is easily accessible from the City itself. It includes the highest and finest of the hills in the Pentlands including, Turnhouse Hill, Carnethy Hill, Scald Law, East Kip and West Kip.

Start at the Pentland Hills Regional Park visitor centre at Flotterstone and follow the minor road for 500m. Bear left at the green signpost to Scald Law. Follow the track past the trees and Glencorse burn on the left until you come to a bridge that gives access to the hills. The climb to the top of Turnhouse Hill is well marked but steep. Looking south towards Penicuik we see the site of the Battle of Rullion Green where General Thomas Dalziel defeated 900 Covenanters on 28 November 1666. Follow the track to the summit of Carnethy Hill to the cairn. In the col between Carnethy and Scald Law there is an opportunity to descend by the Kirk Road to Loganlea reservoir making your way back by the minor road. Proceed up the track to Scald Law and over the Kips.

Follow the track down the Kips and around the north side of Hare Hill to the minor road at Loganlea Reservoir and follow the road back 5km along Loganlea and Glencorse reservoirs to your starting point at Flotterstone, where the Inn serves good food and refreshments.

Access Info

The walk starts and finishes at Flotterstone Ranger Centre, where there is a large car park (which fills up quickly at weekends). McEwans operate a bus service which runs between Edinburgh's Waterloo Place and the Flotterstone Inn on the A702 - call 01387 256533 for further information. Alternatively you can get the McEwans service to Flotterstone and walk back over the hills to Hillend and hop on the Lothian Bus number 4, or hike over to Balerno and pick up a Lothian Bus number 44 or indeed to Swanston to pick up a Lothian Bus number 16, which all head into Edinburgh City Centre.