📌 Slateford, City of Edinburgh
★★★
🛠️ Part of return route closed – see below for diversion (checked April 2024)
The southwestern suburbs of Edinburgh conceal a true wee gem. Colinton Dell is one of the most scenic sections of the Water of Leith, carved deep into the bedrock between Slateford and Colinton. Loved by locals, it’s also well worth a quick trip out by bus for visitors staying in the city centre. This attractive circuit explores the local water courses via canal towpath, dismantled railway (featuring a tunnel decorated in colourful murals) and riverside path at different vertical levels, with options for refreshments at the halfway point in Colinton Village – where the route can be combined with a longer excursion to Torduff Reservoir and Bonaly Country Park.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Water of Leith Visitor Centre, Lanark Road (A70), Slateford, 3 mi southwest of Edinburgh Waverley station
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 221707
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.923068,-3.248407
🚆 Slateford | 🚌 Lanark Road
🚗 Street parking to west, or more street parking in Colinton Village at south end of walk route
📝 Key info
▶ 5 km / 3 mi | ▲ 150 m | ⌛ 1.5 hr
Features: 💧 Union Canal; 🕸 Colinton Tunnel; 🏠 Colinton Village, 💧 Colinton Dell / Water of Leith
⬤ Easy | Wide paths – steps at the start, with some ascent and descent on the return route.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start & Water of Leith Visitor Centre – join Union Canal by steps to north – Colinton Tunnel by dismantled railway line – Colinton Village – Colinton Dell / Water of Leith riverside path – start. First part of return route (immediately north of Colinton Parish Church) is closed due to a landslip; this section can be avoided by retracing steps through Colinton Tunnel, then keeping right to join the rest of the return route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Treecreepers, tits, other woodland birds; mallard with ducklings in the Water of Leith.
Weather: Mostly sunny, about 10°C, light winds.
May 2020
How long is this walk please?
Hi Jenny. This route is approximately 3 miles long (probably 1.5-2 hours at an average walking pace). You can find info such as route length, ascent and difficulty in the info above!