Innocent Railway Tunnel – Portobello Promenade and Beach loop from South Gyle

Bike touring routes & trails

Innocent Railway Tunnel – Portobello Promenade and Beach loop from South Gyle

Moderate

4.7

(53)

266

riders

Innocent Railway Tunnel – Portobello Promenade and Beach loop from South Gyle

02:26

41.0km

170m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 27, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 5.40 km for 104 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

5.47 km

Slateford Aqueduct

Highlight • Historical Site

Slateford Aqueduct carries the Union Canal over the Water of Leith. It was completed in 1822 and is around 150m in length with 8 arches in total.

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5.71 km

This is not the The Slateford Aqueduct - this ia another aqueduct nearby.

Impressive building on Slateford Road (near Lanark Road) - looks from the street as a normal Bridge - but when I stood on top of it i was positively surprised.
The bridge is a navigable aqueduct (with the name 'Prince Charlie-Aqueduct') and the Union Canal flows over it.

(Sometimes called 'Lanark Road-Aqueduct')

- canmore.org.uk/site/52572/edinburgh-union-canal-lanark-road-aqueduct
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Canal_(Scotland)

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7.65 km

Union Canal Bridge, Harrison Road

Highlight • Bridge

Union Canal Bridge Harrison Road - view of the bridge from the Union Canal Towpath

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11.8 km

Innocent Railway Tunnel

Highlight (Segment) • Structure

Handy and lovely cycle path along an old railway line and in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat. So called because the operators of the railway used horse drawn wagons well after all the other railways started using steam engines.

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17.2 km

Brunstane Burn Walkway

Highlight (Segment) • Forest

Resist the urge to go fast, which feels like a rollercoaster, but enjoy the nature instead

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21.5 km

Portobello Promenade and Beach

Highlight • Cycleway

A gorgeous beach with easy access from the city centre, Portobello beach boasts 2 miles (3.2 km) of golden sand which makes it a great spot for swimming and chilling out with friends.

There are lots of shops, restaurants and cafes along the promenade for refreshments and souvenirs. Don't miss the beautiful Georgian and Victorian architecture as you stroll, jog or cycle by.

Tip by

26.2 km

Water of Leith

Lake

28.6 km

Newhaven Harbour and Lighthouse

Highlight • Rest Area

Newhaven was first mentioned as a small harbour village in the 1500's. It was a fishing and shipbuilder community. Today it's part of Edinburgh with a wonderful harbour view. You can run the coast path or loop inland to make a longer run through the city.

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30.2 km

Five Ways Junction

Highlight • Cycleway

As the name suggests, five paths radiate from this junction. Reading clockwise, they are: the above-mentioned Hawthornvale Path from Lindsay Road; the Chancelot Path, which links up with the Warriston Path (see above); the Goldenacre Path, which also joins the Warriston Path, near the exits for Warriston Crescent and Eildon Street; the Ferry Road path (of which more in a moment); and the Trinity Path, which heads north through a short tunnel to emerge at the Trinity Crescent traffic lights.

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