Recently Viewed
Edinburgh Pentland Hills Hike: Discover Scottish Highlands and Nature
5.0
95 Ratings
Edinburgh
Embark on a must-do hiking tour in the stunning Pentland Hills, just outside of Edinburgh. Discover the beauty of the Scottish Highlands and immerse yourself in nature. Learn about flora, fauna, geology, and Scottish history while enjoying breathtaking views of Edinburgh and the surrounding region. Don't miss the chance to spot the elusive Highland Cows on this unforgettable adventure!
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Pentland Hills - The Pentland Hills Regional Park covers an area of 90 km2 (35 sq miles). With 100 kms (62.13 miles) of Walkway marked trails and hundreds on unmarked trails, 14 peaks ranging from 473m to 579m (1617 ft to 1900 ft) and 13 reservoirs, there are many options for more challenging hikes at higher elevation and easier walks at lower levels.
What's Included
- Light snacks and a bottle of water included
- All-day bus ticket provided, valid until midnight for unlimited use
Additional Information
This Hiking Tour is a MUST DO, set in the loveliest hill range out of the 7 that form Edinburgh. Experience the Scottish Highlands & Dazzling Scottish Natural landscapes just beyond the edge of the capital! If you’re a nature lover & wish to discover the true beauty of Edinburgh and the renowned Pentland Hills, this Hiking tour is perfect for you. (RETURN BY LUNCH-TIME, ALL DAY BUS TICKET PROVIDED!)
We’ll embark on a 6-7 mile hike with an ascent of between 300-350 meters. You’ll gain knowledge about local plants and animals, geology, Scottish history and nature. From the Pentlands, gaze upon breathtaking views embracing the entirety of Edinburgh, the Lothian region, the Borders and Fife. You’ll also witness Scottish Lochs (Lakes). We’ll maintain a pace comfortable for all members of the group and rest when required.
There’s a possibility we might spot the elusive Highland Cows (Hairy Coos), if everyone in the group is inclined to hike in that direction as it involves a steeper climb (493 meters) or if no other member is booked.
This is the PREMIER Hiking Tour in Edinburgh Scotland!
- We’ll hike between 4 - 6 miles (5 - 10 KM) depending on how we are doing on time, with an elevation gain of 493 meters (1600FT). We finish our tour at a different location than our start location around 1:30 pm. Then it is a 20 to 30 mins bus ride back to the city centre. So please leave at-least 2 hours buffer time for your next appointment. Sometime we run late as not everyone is a fast hiker in the group. Please be considerate for others. Thank you. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 1. This hike is for both beginners and experienced hikers but Minimum Fitness level is required. You need to be okay or use to hiking up & down hills for couple of hours 2. Good hiking footwear is essential. 3. Scottish weather is unpredictable however the walk will go ahead even if it is raining, so please dress accordingly and carry waterproof clothing. Some form of jacket or windbreaker, the hill gets windy. I carry couple of hiking poles with me just in-case you need to borrow them.
- -Please book a private tour with kids under 7 years of age. Contact to arrange “Rishi’s Edinburgh Tours”.
Location
King's Theatre
Leven Street
We will meet in front of King's Theatre (2 Leven St, Edinburgh EH3 9LQ) very close to city center. We will take a local bus (a very short journey) from there to the foot hills of Pentland.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(95 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Pamela_c
Jun 6, 2024
Up Close and Personal - Rishi is an amazing tour guide with deep knowledge and passion for Scotland! Such a great way to see a whole other side of Edinburgh outside the city limits!
Review provided by Viator
Steve_t
Jun 5, 2024
Wonderful Day - A great day! Amazing views, expert guide, all the weather - we had fun and saw a side of Edinburgh many don’t see.
Review provided by Viator
Neil_b
Jun 2, 2024
Gorgeous scenery! - One of our favorite days in Scotland! The scenery was gorgeous-we saw every shade of green, waterfalls, sheep and highland cows! It was a wonderful contrast to the city where we were staying plus we got some exercise as an added bonus. Rishi is a perfect guide!
Review provided by Viator
Josephinea810
Jun 1, 2024
A must hike to do while in Edinburgh! - We really enjoyed this spectacular hike with Rishi. He is a phenomenal guide and provided us with a thorough education about the Pentlands. Rishi paid attention to the abilities and needs of the group and constantly checked in on the welfare of all of the hikers. He was prepared for every eventuality and carried hiking poles, warming blankets, snacks and water for our group. The views in the Pentlands were incredible and we got some great photos.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R6236scbeckyl
May 29, 2024
Excellent - Rishi is a fantastic guide. He has a great knowledge of the Scottish history & the highlands. I highly recommend this hike to anyone staying in Edinburgh.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
548jeanneh
May 16, 2024
An ESSENTIAL part of your Edinburgh visit! - Can’t say enough about how great a guide Rishi is. Totally open, generous, prepared, patient and super knowledgeable! We wanted to spend a day in the countryside and this was perfect. You’re a half hour outside Edinburgh but feel like you’re in deeply remote nature. Don’t miss this essential day in your Edinburgh itinerary. The Highlands are so far away and you spend most of the day on the bus. This is much better!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rubi
May 10, 2024
Must-do experience; incredible hiking tour - This experience was a 10/10 in my book! My husband and I wanted to do something unique in our trip to Edinburgh and this hike was the highlight of the trip! Rishi was a wonderful guide and you could see that he feels incredibly passionate about nature and hiking. He is also very experienced, and since the weather was tricky that day, he helped us navigate the muddy terrain we were dealt with! We got to see sheep all along our hike and the calls of birds. Although at times it was a challenging hike due to the elevation, Rishi was always mindful of breaks and adjusting to our speed if needed. We were able to complete this fantastic experience feeling very accomplished, seeing incredible views of the Scottish Moors and getting to know a bit more of the nature and history surrounding Scotland!
It was a really amazing hike and would 100% do it again!! It one of those “must-do” experiences that will get you out of the city and with nature, and really getting a feel for the Scottish wonders that the country provides.
Thank you, Rishi for sharing with us your experiences, knowledge, and passion for hiking. It was a true pleasure getting to know you throughout this experience and we are truly grateful for the wonderful memories that you have given us on our trip!!! We’ll always treasure it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K9174puadriang
Dec 12, 2023
Book this tour, don't question it, you'll love it! - If you're visiting Edinburgh, and looking to be explore the surrounding nature and history in-depth, I recommend booking this hiking tour with Rishi. He was incredibly knowledgable of the area, inside and outside of the city, and showed such a deep admiration that it was palpable. The views we encountered were amazing and Rishi made sure to keep an eye on the group to ensure that we were getting along well with the terrain. In addition, he had every snack imaginable and carried extra water for the group just in case. I could say a whole lot more, as we got to know Rishi really well and he was a pleasure to converse with, but ultimately this was an amazing experience that I'm beyond happy to have experience as well as recommend to anyone interested in exploring the surrounding nature. Don't question it, if you're able to, book this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q6102zlangelat
Oct 31, 2023
Great tour through nature - Great tour, Rishi was an amazing guide who showed us parts of Edinburgh that you wouldn’t normally see. He has a wealth of knowledge on Edinburgh and Pentland history. Throughout the walk he made sure everyone felt welcomed and ensured they were okay.
I would highly recommend this tour if you want something different and enjoy walking through nature.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christine_m
Oct 29, 2023
WOW! Don’t overlook this trip! - Where do I start! I’m a South Edinburgh resident who was looking to explore The Pentland Hills. I wasn’t confident going on my own the first time, especially as we’d had excessive rain. My family booked this trip to celebrate my birthday and WOW, Rishi’s trip exceeded expectations. His knowledge, kind nature and general life experience was very welcomed. Make sure you get him chatting about his remarkable hiking experience. Unfortunately (fortunately for me), there were a few cancellations due to the weather but on the day the rain cleared. Rishi kindly offered to take a longer/more challenging route if I felt capable; I happily said yes.
The scenery was incredible. I’ve spent time in the highlands and honestly, you’d think you were there at times. Please don’t overlook this trip. It was of the best days I’ve had outdoors. Rishi also does a walking history tour in the old town. Going off my experience, I’d recommend Rishi as a guide. Thank you 😊
Review provided by Viator
More activities from this operator
