Best Places to Run in Edinburgh: Tips From a Local
Edinburgh offers many scenic places to run.
Learn the Best Running Routes in Edinburgh
By Isabelle Bousquette
The best places to run in Edinburgh offer stunning views and rich history. Edinburgh is a city of castles and cliff sides. Author Alexander McCall Smith famously called it, “A city so beautiful it breaks the heart again and again.” For runners, it’s more like a city so hilly it breaks the spirit again and again. But for those runners who love a challenge, Edinburgh offers some truly scenic courses. If you ever find yourself in Scotland’s capital, here are the best places to run in Edinburgh:
1. Princes Street Gardens
Edinburgh Castle in all its beauty.
Nestled between Edinburgh’s cliffside castle and its famous high street, the Princes Street Gardens offer an oasis of greenery in a city of grey. And it's conveniently located in the city centre, Around every corner you’ll find a new statue dedicated to a famous Scot. Jog from the idyllic Ross Fountain on the West side of the gardens to the famous National Portrait Gallery on the East side.
Then, since there’s free admission, stop into the Portrait Gallery to see paintings of Mary Queen of Scots and Robert Burns. If you’re lucky enough to be in Edinburgh during the holiday season, you might be dodging Christmas market stalls and ferris wheels. The plus side is that after your run, you’ll be able to pick up a warm glass of mulled wine and enjoy the shopping.
2. Holyrood Park
The Royal Mile is perfect for a scenic Edinburgh run and a hill workout.
Cross-country runners will be at home in Holyrood Park, a 650 acre testament to the wild Scottish landscape. This sprawling landscape is one of the best places to run in Edinburgh for nature lovers. At the center of the park is Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano that forms the highest point in Edinburgh.
The views are phenomenal, but the trip up is more hike than run, complete with crags and cliffs to the summit. If you’re out for a casual jog, it’s better to stay on the outskirts of the park. Meander by Holyrood Abbey and Holyrood Palace, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland.
3. The Royal Mile
The “Royal Mile” refers to the 1.6km distance between Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle. If you’re looking for a hill sprints workout, this is the course for you. It runs from an elevation of 138 ft above sea level to 358 ft above sea level, giving it an average gradient of 4.1%. The Royal Mile is one of Edinburgh's most iconic landmarks and is in the heart of the city's tourism scene.
You’ll run past bagpipers, street performers and shops selling every variety of tartan. If you’re in town during Edinburgh’s famous Fringe Festival, then running on this street will be nearly impossible. Theatre goers and promoters from the Festival’s over 3,500 shows will take over every inch of space. You might find yourself dodging into a “close” (the Scottish term for alleyway) and climbing up and down fifteen stone staircases.
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Scottish bagpiper.
4. The Seaside
If you’re ready to leave Edinburgh’s hills behind, jog out East to the seaside. The run from Portobello Beach to Musselburgh is much flatter and provides the picturesque views of the North Sea. Get ready to bundle up because the wind hits harder up there (and more often than not, there’s rain). You can run along the actual sand or the adjacent Seaview Terrace. Either way, make sure to treat yourself to some post-workout fish and chips afterwards.
As you can see, the best places to run in Edinburgh vary greatly, as the city serves up unique landscapes and iconic cultural destinations, with new routes to suit all tastes.
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Isabelle Bousquette is a writer who grew up in New York City and pursued her BA and Master’s degree in Scotland. Isabelle lived in Edinburgh for 5 years and ran three half marathons there. She is currently back in the U.S. and writing and running.