Edinburgh Pentland Hills Hike: Discover Scottish Highlands and Nature
5.0
90 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
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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
(90 Ratings)
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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
D696uimonicaw
Oct 28, 2023
Great Pentlands Hike! - Hiking with Rishi was awesome even in October! He took us along the Pentlands and the views were amazing. Such a nice change from being in the city the whole time. Rishi was very knowledgeable about the historical and geographical aspects of a lot of features on the hike and the pace was very good even for me with bad feet! He messaged us ahead of time to be prepared for the weather and even during the hike he gave us advice for health and safety as well as some snacks! I hope to return again and take another hike during the summer to see the heather in bloom.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anitatujrlock
Oct 3, 2023
A fabulous hike with a knowledgeable guide. - Rishi was joyful and knowledgeable about the most beautiful Pentland Hills. I loved every minute of our hike. Something to know which was told to us is the hidden dangers of the topography. So thankful I was not trying the hills on my own. Most likely would have fallen in to one of the almost invisible holes. The scenery was magnificent. Rishi made it clear that good clothing for quickly changing weather and good hiking boots should be worn. Most definitely both were needed. He also warned not to book something else right after the hike scheduled time as it may run longer. Including the bus pass for transportation to and from the hike starting point was appreciated. Book your hike and you are assured a fabulous outing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
470kunalg
Sep 27, 2023
Hidden gem in Edinburg - The Pentland Hills near Edinburgh offer a hidden gem of natural beauty, and our guided experience truly unlocked its splendor. With an expert Rishi leading the way, we ventured through serene landscapes, discovered hidden trails, and soaked in breathtaking vistas. A perfect escape for nature enthusiasts, highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Devonb967
Sep 24, 2023
Edinburgh Nature Hike - A fantastic way to escape the crowds of the city center and experience the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape of Edinburgh. About 15 minutes outside of Edinburgh (accessible by bus), the Pentland Hills provided beautiful views, and Rishi’s deep knowledge of the land and history of the area made for a perfect day. Most enjoyable tour and would highly recommend it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
880raghur
Sep 18, 2023
Excellent walk, thoughtful guide - The guide (Rishi) was informative and thoughtful. One of our party was not feeling well, and he made sure to be inclusive of her needs. All turned out well, and we had an excellent, long walk with lots of information on both history and nature, and the changes ongoing to the way of life there. Heartily recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elizabeth
Sep 15, 2023
Highlight of Our Trip! - Our hike with Rishi was the highlight of our trip.
We booked a private hike and Rishi took us on a personalized route. The hike was challenging, however the return included stunning views and an encounter with some Highland cows (hairy coos). We ended up hiking close to 9 miles where we saw cows, sheep, grouse, rolling hills, and lochs. To see the Highland cows, this does require a private tour and hiking experience. Rishi was very knowledgeable, friendly, and a great guide.
This hike more than exceeded our expectations and the route he takes with larger groups (which we took in the latter portion of our hike) was equally as stunning.
Would give more stars if I could. Don't miss the beautiful nature that Edinburgh has to offer!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lindsey_b
Sep 11, 2023
Edinburgh highlight! - This was such a highlight for us during our time in Scotland! Rishi was incredibly kind and personable. Further, he was super knowledgeable both about hiking in general but also he knew so much about Scottish nature, identifying all the different plants and trees.
The first incline was a little bit of a workout, but Rishi made sure to keep a very comfortable pace for everyone and the views were absolutely worth it. If you’re on the fence about this activity, book it! You won’t regret it!
Review provided by Viator
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