The 13 Most Amazing Peaks around Murrayfield

Corstorphine Hill is a prominent elevated feature considered one of Edinburgh's "Seven Hills" and a Local Nature Reserve. It's the largest urban woodland in Edinburgh, offering a natural escape with extensive broadleaf woodlands, various walking tracks, and opportunities for bird-watching. You might even spot wildlife like badgers, foxes, and buzzards. It also holds geological significance as a Regionally Important Geological Site.

Beyond Corstorphine Hill, you can explore Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano dominating Holyrood Park with commanding views. In the Pentland Hills, View from Allermuir Hill and Caerketton Hill offer superb panoramic vistas. Additionally, View of Edinburgh from Blackford Hill provides breathtaking views of the Edinburgh skyline.

The peaks around Murrayfield offer diverse and impressive views. From Arthur's Seat, you'll see across the Edinburgh region and the Firth of Forth. The Corstorphine Hill Tower, when open, provides exceptional all-round views over Edinburgh, including the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh Castle, and the Pentland Hills. From Allermuir Hill and Caerketton Hill in the Pentlands, you can see Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth, and on clear days, even the Fife and Scottish Highlands. Blackford Hill is renowned for its views of the Edinburgh skyline, including Arthur's Seat.

Yes, at the summit of Corstorphine Hill stands the Corstorphine Hill Tower, also known as Clermiston Tower or Scott Tower, built in 1871 as a memorial to Sir Walter Scott. The hill also has evidence of prehistoric settlement, including cup-marked stones, and a Cold War bunker (Barnton Bunker) on its north side.

Corstorphine Hill is easily accessible, located about 5 km west of Edinburgh city centre, between Corstorphine Road and Queensferry Road. There are numerous access points and several bus services connecting it to surrounding areas, including Murrayfield.

Yes, Corstorphine Hill offers various walking tracks and informal paths suitable for families. The ascent up Blackford Hill is also relatively easy and accessible for most fitness levels. For Arthur's Seat, there are plenty of routes to the top, some perfect for little legs and future Munro baggers, though sturdy shoes are recommended.

The morning is often the best time to visit Corstorphine Hill as it can become very busy after midday. For general walks and enjoying the woodland, any time of year is pleasant. If you're visiting Blackford Hill, a visit at sunrise or sunset is particularly magical for capturing the city in a golden or pink glow.

For hiking the peaks around Murrayfield, sturdy shoes are highly recommended due to uneven paths, especially on Arthur's Seat. It can be windy and cold at higher elevations, so bringing something warm to wear, a hat, and a scarf is advisable, particularly outside of summer months. A windproof jacket is also a good idea.

Yes, there are numerous hiking opportunities. Corstorphine Hill itself features extensive walking tracks, and the John Muir Way long-distance path crosses it. For easy hikes around Murrayfield, you can explore routes like the "View from Corstorphine Hill loop" or the "Corstorphine Hill Tower loop." You can find more details on these and other options in the Easy hikes around Murrayfield guide.

Besides hiking, the area around Murrayfield offers excellent cycling opportunities. You can find various routes for touring bicycles and road cycling. For example, the "Trash Cat_Roseburn Bridge – Roseburn Path Stone Bridge loop" is an easy touring bike route, and the "Roseburn Path Stone Bridge – Cramond Island Causeway loop" is a popular road cycling option. Explore more routes in the Cycling around Murrayfield and Road Cycling Routes around Murrayfield guides.

Visitors particularly enjoy the commanding panoramic views from summits like Arthur's Seat and the Pentland Hills. The peaceful retreat offered by Corstorphine Hill's urban woodland is also highly appreciated. Many find the diverse landscapes and the opportunity to escape the city while still enjoying impressive vistas to be a major draw. The community has upvoted these highlights over 1200 times and shared more than 800 photos.

Yes, Corstorphine Hill is part of the John Muir Way, a long-distance path that crosses the hill, offering a segment between South Queensferry and Edinburgh. This provides an excellent opportunity for longer walks and exploring the wider region.