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North Esk Reservoir – Harperrig Reservoir loop from Cairns Castle

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

North Esk Reservoir – Harperrig Reservoir loop from Cairns Castle

Hard

4.5

(2)

hikers

North Esk Reservoir – Harperrig Reservoir loop from Cairns Castle

07:44

26.1km

690m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 18, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Pentland Hills Regional Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

5.87 km

East Cairn Hill

Highlight • Natural Monument

East Cairn Hill at 561m is 1m lower than West Cairn Hill which is 1.5km away to the southwest. The views from the cairn are great, across the southern Pentland Hills and north to the Forth valley.

Tip by

9.93 km

North Esk Reservoir

Highlight • Lake

North Esk Reservoir is an easy 5k walk from Carlops village. You can park your car in the village and choose one of the two main paths or do a …

Tip by

11.1 km

The Mount

Peak

13.3 km

Mount Maw Summit

Highlight • Viewpoint

Mount Maw is a prominent summit with a trig point at 535 m. The southern aspect of the summit means you get amazing views south over the Southern Uplands and around the rest of the Pentland Hills.

Tip by

15.9 km

Baddingshill Farm Stone Walls

Highlight • Natural

Baddingshill farm is an open gate towards Baddingshill Reservoir and along Thieves Road to Pentlands Hills.

Tip by

17.0 km

Baddinsgill Reservoir is a charming little reservoir that rests peacefully in a picturesque valley along Thieves' Road, within the Pentland Hills.

It's the perfect location to catch your breath and enjoy a picnic amongst some of Scotland's finest scenery.

Tip by

20.9 km

Cauldstane Slap

Highlight • Mountain Pass

24.4 km

Harperrig Reservoir

Highlight • Natural

Harperrig Reservoir was created in 1860 as part of a scheme to create a safe and reliable supply of drinking water for Edinburgh. The dam was raised in 1890 to …

Tip by

25.7 km

Cairns Castle Ruins

Highlight • Historical Site

Cool castle, track around south side of reservoir is rough but doable with some questing!

Tip by

26.1 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

16.4 km

6.34 km

2.59 km

809 m

Surfaces

17.0 km

5.80 km

1.00 km

997 m

832 m

497 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (560 m)

Lowest point (270 m)

Weather

Friday 26 June

22°C

14°C

62 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 32.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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North Esk Reservoir – Harperrig Reservoir loop from Cairns Castle

East Cairn Hill

North Esk Reservoir

Mount Maw Summit

Baddingshill Farm Stone Walls

Baddinsgill Reservoir

Cauldstane Slap

Harperrig Reservoir

Cairns Castle Ruins

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