Gladhouse Reservoir is a region in the Scottish Borders, situated just 20 miles south of Edinburgh, offering a diverse landscape for outdoor pursuits. The area is characterized by its large freshwater reservoir, rolling hills, and the dramatic backdrop of the Moorfoot Hills. Its terrain includes paths along the water's edge, agricultural land, and ascents into heather-clad moorland, making it suitable for several sports like road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, jogging, and more.
Gladhouse Reservoir…
93
Routes
4.5
(96)
Average rating
1768
People visited

5.0
(12)
322
riders
69.0km
03:05
600m
600m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(3)
92
riders
35.6km
01:43
330m
330m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4
riders
21.5km
01:07
280m
270m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3.0
(1)
115
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.3
(4)
37
hikers
10.7km
02:47
70m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
21
hikers
12.5km
03:31
250m
250m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
9
hikers
6.95km
01:56
130m
130m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
2
hikers
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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4.5
(2)
23
runners
10.6km
01:08
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

34
runners
6.80km
00:46
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

22
runners
9.03km
00:59
160m
160m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

23
runners
8.32km
00:55
160m
160m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5
riders
29.7km
02:05
400m
400m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
115
riders
80.4km
05:17
1,010m
1,010m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
36
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

22
riders
51.0km
03:53
610m
610m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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12
riders
29.3km
01:44
260m
260m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
6
riders
13.9km
01:15
250m
250m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
6
riders
17.1km
01:31
240m
240m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
2
riders
9.16km
00:50
160m
160m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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13
riders
43.5km
03:15
640m
640m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
15
riders
43.4km
02:47
490m
490m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
21.6km
01:21
250m
250m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
32.0km
02:29
470m
470m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Gladhouse Reservoir offers a range of outdoor activities including hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging. The area features diverse terrain suitable for various fitness levels and sports. Over 9,000 visitors have explored the region, contributing to an average rating of 4.35 out of 5 stars for its routes.
Yes, Gladhouse Reservoir is a popular destination for road cyclists, featuring routes through rolling hills and quiet country lanes. An easy 5.0-mile (8.1 km) loop around the reservoir offers scenic views. The area's roads are generally smooth, and it connects to National Cycle Network Route 1 via the B6372.
Gladhouse Reservoir provides a network of hiking paths, from gentle reservoir-side walks to more challenging hill hikes. Options include the moderate 6.6-mile (10.7 km) 'Hirondean Castle & Gladhouse Reservoir loop' and the more strenuous 12.7-mile (20.4 km) 'Blackhope Scar, Bowbeat Hill & Dundreich loop'. Further information is available in the Hiking around Gladhouse Reservoir guide.
Yes, Gladhouse Reservoir offers routes suitable for families. For hiking, there are gentle reservoir-side paths and specific guides like Family-friendly hikes around Gladhouse Reservoir. Cycling options include easy loops with smooth, quiet roads.
Yes, Gladhouse Reservoir is a dog-friendly area. There are specific routes and guides tailored for visitors with dogs, such as Dog-friendly hikes around Gladhouse Reservoir. Visitors should ensure dogs are kept under control, especially near wildlife and livestock.
Cycling routes at Gladhouse Reservoir range in difficulty. An easy 5.0-mile (8.1 km) loop around the reservoir is suitable for many, while other touring routes, such as an 18.4-mile (29.7 km) loop from Gorebridge, feature rolling hills. The terrain generally consists of smooth, quiet country lanes.
Gladhouse Reservoir is an internationally important site for wildlife, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA), and Ramsar site. It serves as a winter roost for large populations of pink-footed geese (over 13,000 birds) and greylag geese. Nesting ospreys and other wildfowl like mallards, tufted ducks, and great crested grebes are also present.
Komoot offers several guides for Gladhouse Reservoir, covering various activities and interests. Examples include Road Cycling Routes around Gladhouse Reservoir, Hiking around Gladhouse Reservoir, and Traffic-free bike rides around Gladhouse Reservoir.
Gladhouse Reservoir is the largest freshwater body in the Lothians, covering 186 hectares (460 acres) and reaching depths of up to 50 meters. It is situated at the foot of the Moorfoot Hills, offering open water views, agricultural land, and heather-clad moorland. The area includes small wooded islands and fringing wetlands.
Gladhouse Reservoir is a popular destination on komoot, with over 9,000 visitors having explored its routes. The region features 12 routes across various sports, which have received an average rating of 4.35 out of 5 stars from 720 ratings.
Information about visiting Gladhouse Reservoir, which is owned and managed by Scottish Water, can be found on their official website. The relevant URL is https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/visit-us/our-locations/gladhouse-reservoir.

