SCOTLAND
■Distance: 11½ miles/18km ■Time: 6-7 hours ■Grade: Challenging
This is a walk along the spine of the Pentlands up and over five of the main hills from Turnhouse in the north-east to West Kip in the south-west.
You then descend off the last hill and join the Red Road which crosses the open moorland giving fantastic views looking back to the ridge you have just walked.
Turn off this route just before the red gate and follow a path leading to a stunning gorged glen called Green Cleugh with waterfalls and giant stepping stones crossing the river.
Finally return to the start by walking along the edge of two reservoirs and a little detour at the end can give you views of another waterfall before reaching the visitor centre, café and Flotterstone Inn.
1 Start
Upon leaving car park head W behind the visitor centre and along the woodland path that follows the road.
When you exit this path, turn R and a short while later turn L where you will see a path going off towards the hills with a signpost for Scald Law.
2 ½ mile/0.8km
After a few hundred metres you reach another junction of paths.
Take L one marked for Scald Law.
This continues steeply at first, then levels out before rising again across grassy terrain and through a copse of trees to gain the main height of the ridge. Continue along this route all the way. There are a few times when the path appears to split. They are just variants of the route and all paths lead across the ridge.
PLAN YOUR WALK
ROUTE
Start/parking Free parking in the car park by Flotterstone Inn (EH26 0PP) and the visitor centre, grid ref NT232631 Is it for me?
Clear path at start, grassy paths on initial ascent, gravelly paths on ridge, moorland paths, single track road around reservoirs, woodland then stone path to return.
Some exposure and can be wet underfoot Stiles None
PLANNING
Nearest towns Edinburgh/ Penicuik
Refreshments Café nearby at the visitor centre or at Flotterstone Inn
Public toilets Back of the visitor centre
Public transport Houstons Coaches EdinburghBiggar, via Flotterstone (houstonscoaches.co.uk)
Maps OS Map Explorer 344; Landranger 66
3 3 miles/4.
