GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Threipmuir Reservoir

5 miles (8 km)

This circular walk visits Threipmuir Reservoir near Balerno in the Pentland Hills .
The route also visits the nearby Black Hill and the 16th century Bavelaw Castle which sits just to the south of the car park.
You can start of at the reservoir car park at the western end of the water. Then pick up the footpaths heading north east along the water. At the eastern end you can cross the lake at the dam before following the Black Hill path to Bavelaw Castle. Finally the walk crosses the Redford Bridge to return to the car park.
On the route there are splendid views of the surrounding Pentland Hills including Green Cleugh and Hare Hill. Also keep your eyes peeled for water loving wildlife on the lake and in the adjacent Red Moss of Balerno Nature Reserve.
It's easy to extend the walk by visiting the adjacent Harlaw Reservoir where there's more nice waterside paths to enjoy.

Postcode

EH14 7JT - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Threipmuir Reservoir OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Threipmuir Reservoir Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

For more walking ideas in the area see the Pentland Hills Walks page.

Photos

Boats at Threipmuir Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 2468519

Boats at Threipmuir Reservoir

Bridge, Threipmuir Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 976989

Redford Bridge

The Road down from Bavelaw Castle to Redford Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 343601

The Road down from Bavelaw Castle to Redford Bridge

A distant Bavelaw Castle - geograph.org.uk - 1468786

A distant Bavelaw Castle. Looking over moorland from the west side of Black Hill towards Bavelaw Castle. Bavelaw was built around the 16th century and Mary, Queen of Scots and King James VI have both stayed here.

Green Cleugh and Hare Hill - geograph.org.uk - 477275

Green Cleugh and Hare Hill. Green Cleugh is a popular walking and cycling route leading into the heart of the northern Pentlands.

Threipmuir Reservoir dam - geograph.org.uk - 2150228

The dam

Footpath at Threipmuir - geograph.org.uk - 567293

Footpath at Threipmuir. One of a number of reservoirs built to supply Edinburgh with water in the 1800s. There are paths around both Threipmuir and the adjacent Harlaw Reservoirs that are very popular for walking, jogging cycling and horse riding.

Walkers at Threipmuir Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 2173141

Walkers in late autumn

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Threipmuir Reservoir.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')