Duddingston Loch is a unique natural freshwater loch situated on the southern side of Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. This area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), offering diverse habitats from freshwater to fen and woodland, all set against a backdrop of ancient volcanic geology. The loch occupies a basin carved out during the last ice age, providing varied terrain for outdoor pursuits. Visitors to Duddingston Loch can engage in several sports like jogging, mountain biking, road…
142
Routes
4.6
(304)
Average rating
5185
People visited

4.9
(12)
86
riders
51.1km
04:30
750m
750m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(2)
47
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(10)
63
riders
59.5km
03:45
790m
790m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
15
riders
37.2km
02:12
260m
260m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.4
(10)
80
riders
41.7km
03:08
610m
610m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

1
riders
11.8km
00:51
190m
190m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

1
riders
14.9km
01:01
190m
190m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.3
(6)
40
riders
35.6km
02:43
580m
580m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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23
runners
4.90km
00:47
230m
230m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(2)
191
runners
13.5km
01:27
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

126
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

93
runners
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(9)
368
hikers
6.69km
01:51
120m
120m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
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81
hikers
10.6km
02:55
160m
160m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(17)
190
hikers
3.58km
01:16
140m
140m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

62
hikers
7.25km
01:54
50m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(3)
201
riders
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(1)
131
riders
45.0km
02:15
340m
340m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(2)
120
riders
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.8
(4)
96
riders
24.8km
01:04
140m
140m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.8
(21)
139
riders
28.7km
01:41
120m
120m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(62)
163
riders
28.5km
01:43
220m
220m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
85
riders
12.5km
00:48
140m
140m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(4)
63
riders
11.4km
00:41
60m
60m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Duddingston Loch is the last natural freshwater loch in Edinburgh, located on the southern side of Holyrood Park. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its ecological and geological importance, featuring diverse habitats and ancient volcanic geology.
Duddingston Loch offers opportunities for various outdoor activities, including Jogging, Mountain biking, Road cycling, Hiking, Touring cycling, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The area provides varied terrain suitable for different skill levels and interests.
Yes, Duddingston Loch offers numerous hiking trails, connecting to the wider Holyrood Park. These routes range from gentle lochside paths to those with more elevation. For detailed options, refer to the guide Hiking around Duddingston Loch.
Duddingston Loch provides several jogging routes, with pathways that integrate into the broader Holyrood Park network. These routes offer varied terrain for runners. Specific options can be found in the guide Running Trails around Duddingston Loch.
The area around Duddingston Loch supports road cycling on surrounding roads, as well as mountain biking and gravel biking. Guides like Cycling around Duddingston Loch and Gravel biking around Duddingston Loch detail specific routes.
Yes, mountain biking routes are available in the Duddingston Loch area, often connecting to the wider Holyrood Park. Cyclists can explore various trails designed for mountain biking. The guide MTB Trails around Duddingston Loch provides more information.
Duddingston Loch offers routes suitable for families, particularly for hiking. These paths provide accessible options for visitors of all ages to enjoy the natural surroundings. The guide Family-friendly hikes around Duddingston Loch details specific options.
Duddingston Loch is known for its status as a natural freshwater loch and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is adjacent to the ancient Arthur's Seat volcano and features Dr Neil's Garden, a tranquil space next to Duddingston Kirk.
Duddingston Loch is a significant bird sanctuary managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. It hosts a large heronry and various breeding and wintering wildfowl, including Canada geese, mute swans, tufted ducks, and great crested grebes. Otters are also regularly spotted.
Duddingston Loch is accessible via public transport, with bus stations located nearby. Visitors can find hiking routes that start from these public transport hubs. The guide Hikes from bus stations around Duddingston Loch offers relevant information.
Yes, parking is available for visitors to Duddingston Loch. A car park is situated west of Duddingston Village, providing access to the loch and its surrounding paths.
Duddingston Loch is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 313,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.55 out of 5 stars, indicating high user satisfaction.
Information about Duddingston Loch and its wildlife reserve can be found on the Scottish Wildlife Trust website. The main website for the trust is scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk.

