The walkway passes many areas of interest including: Colinton Village, Craiglockhart Dell, the Union Canal, Saughton Gardens, Murrayfield Stadium, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art, Dean Village, Stockbridge, the Royal Botanic Garden and Leith.
The route is suitable for cycling and is partly accessible by wheelchairs and on horseback. You can also see amazing works of art such as The Colinton Tunnel and 6 Times by Anthony Gormley.
You can listen to a commentary of the route along the walkway while you walk by connecting to our Audio Trail.
The Water of Leith Walkway was completed in 2002 by courtesy of Millennium Project funding. It is managed by The City of Edinburgh Council Parks, Greenspace and Cemeteries Department who also manage many of the parks and greenspaces along the 13 mile route.
The route is well signposted and a walkway map is available from the Visitor Centre priced £1.00 or you can buy your detailed map now using the Paypal button below.
Alternatively, you can download a basic pdf map of the route – here.
The following is a rough guide to mileage along the walkway: Balerno to Slateford is 5 miles – 2 hours, Slateford to Leith is 7.5 miles – 3 hours, Roseburn to Stockbridge approx 2 miles – 45 mins, Stockbridge to Leith approx 3.5 miles – 1 hour 20 mins.
Temporary Walkway Closure: Balgreen to Murrayfield from 22nd September to early March 2026
Please be advised that the Water of Leith Walkway will closed between Balgreen and Murrayfield due to essential sewer network improvements by Scottish Water
A local diversion is available via:
• Pansy Walk and Baird Drive, or
• Across the bridge and around the Westfield site if heading downstream.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during these necessary works.
A local diversion is available
Buy a paper copy of the Water of Leith Walkway Map via PayPal using the button below (UK postage only)
IMPORTANT SHIPPING UPDATE: WE CAN NO LONGER SHIP OUTSIDE THE UK
Due to rising costs and import tariffs, we’re unfortunately no longer able to send maps outside of the UK. We know this may be disappointing and appreciate your patience and support.
If you’re planning a visit, we’d love to welcome you at our Visitor Centre where you can purchase a map in person. Alternatively, please order a map to be posted to your UK accommodation on your arrival.
Paths for Everyone is an initiative created by sustrans in their vision of a National Cycle Network and is an initiative supported by Edinburgh Council.
