Escape Edinburgh by bike

My aim with this article is not to provide detailed navigational information, but simply to point you in the right direction. If you're not familiar with the area, I'd recommend you consult the appropriate Spokes map or other suitable map when planning your ride.

NCN 1: South Queensferry, the Forth Road Bridge and Fife

The National Cycle Network's Route 1 (NCN 1) is the main northbound route out of Edinburgh. Within the city, it follows the Roseburn and Blackhall paths. These paths, which are based on old railway lines, provide excellent cycling. They are wide, well-surfaced, well-signposted and free of nasty hills.

You can pick up the Roseburn Path at Russell Road, Haymarket Yards (behind the office buildings to the west of Haymarket Station) or Wester Coates Terrace. Head north. Soon after passing under Queensferry Road, turn half left at the Sustrans marker to join the Blackhall Path (illustrated left).

The path ends a mile later near Silverknowes Road, but you can continue to follow NCN 1 along quiet residential streets through Davidsons Mains and Barnton and on to Cramond Brig. From here, the route runs alongside the busy dual carriageway towards South Queensferry. But don't worry - you won't actually cycle on the main road.

When you reach the main entrance to Dalmeny House (about two miles from Cramond Brig), turn left along a minor road. You'll pass though the village of Dalmeny and the outskirts of South Queensferry. From here, NCN 1 will take you over the Forth Road Bridge and into Fife, where it connects with the West Fife Cycleway, the circular Kingdom route and several other useful routes.

Cycling across the Forth Road Bridge
The bridge has wide shared-use lanes, on both sides, for cyclists and pedestrians. These are completely segregated from the motor traffic, although you might encounter an occasional contractor's vehicle. Both lanes are bi-directional, that is, you can cycle in either direction on either side. Personally, I prefer to use the upstream path (on the same side as the northbound traffic), as I find its approach routes slightly easier to negotiate. There is no toll for cyclists crossing the bridge, but a 15 mph speed limit applies.

Alternative route: NCN 76 to West Lothian, Falkirk and Stirling
Instead of crossing the bridge at South Queensferry, follow the signs to Hopetoun House. Just before you reach the house, turn left on a signposted track that takes you behind the house and on to Abercorn Church. This route, which is NCN 76, heads west to Bo'ness and Grangemouth, then skirts the northern edge of Falkirk before turning north west towards Stirling.

Alternative route to Winchburgh, Linlithgow and Falkirk
Follow NCN 1 to Cramond Brig, as described above. Continue on the route for a further three quarters of a mile, then swing left to cross the dual carriageway by a narrow road bridge. Continue along this road, passing the Craigiehall army camp and the north side of Edinburgh Airport on your left. After three miles, you'll reach Kirkliston. Follow the B9080 into Winchburgh, from where you can pick up the Union Canal towpath. If you're heading for Linlithgow or Falkirk, this is a shorter but slightly hillier route than taking the canal the whole way (see below).

Approximate distances from the city centre
Cramond Brig, 4½ miles. South Queensferry, 8½ miles. Winchburgh, 10 miles. Linlithgow, 16 miles.

NCN 1: Dalkieth and the South

NCN 1 also offers an excellent escape route to the east and south. This too follows disused railways out of the city, and is well-surfaced with easy gradients.

A good place to join this route is at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Dalkeith Road. Cycle along Holyrood Park Road, but just before the entrance to the park, turn left into East Parkside. Turn right at the first opportunity, then immediately right again into a driveway to descend into the Innocent Railway tunnel.

Take care when going through the tunnel. The lighting is poor, and the gradient makes it easy to pick up speed without realising it - to the alarm of other cyclists and pedestrians coming towards you. So watch your speed, and try to maintain single file if you're travelling in a group. (If you prefer to avoid the tunnel, continue along Holyrood Park Road into the park, turn right at the first roundabout, and then take the first turning on the right, down a narrow drive to the far end of the tunnel.)

Once clear of the tunnel, the route is plain sailing. It follows the Innocent Railway path all the way to Brunstane, crossing just two roads along the way. When you reach the Woolworths car park, push your bike over the footbridge which crosses the railway line at Brunstane station. Then turn right, continuing along NCN 1. This will take you along residential roads and bike paths, through Newcraighall, past Musselburgh station, and eventually to the banks of the River Esk. Turn right here.

NCN 1 continues southwards to Dalkeith, Eskbank and Temple. It then climbs steeply over the Moorfoots to Innerleithen, where it turns east. It then follows the River Tweed to Berwick, before turning south again towards Newcastle.

Alternative routes into East Lothian via Musselburgh
Follow NCN 1 to Brunstane station. Instead of turning right after the footbridge, go straight ahead along the signposted Brunstane Burn path. This path is difficult in parts, and you may need to dismount occasionally. At the end of the path, turn right into the busy Edinburgh Road, which will take you quickly into Musselburgh.

Alternatively, stay on NCN 1 until you reach the River Esk. Then turn left, following the river into Musselburgh. This route is longer than the Brunstane Burn option, but avoids the difficult path and the main road.

From Musselburgh, the B1348 takes you along the coast to Longniddry. From there, you can take the A198 to North Berwick, or head south along a pleasant four-mile cycle path to Haddington.

Approximate distances from the city centre
Brunstane, 4½ miles. Musselburgh station, 7 miles. Dalkeith, 12 miles.

The Union Canal to West Lothian, Falkirk and Glasgow

The Union Canal towpath carries a section of NCN 75 out of the city to the west. In many ways, this is an ideal cycle route. Navigation is foolproof, there are no roads to worry about, and, best of all, the going is almost completely flat. Within the city, the path is often busy with pedestrians, children, dog-walkers and anglers, so ride considerately, and be sure to slow down on the narrow sections under the bridges. Special care is needed on the Slateford Aqueduct, where the path is extremely narrow. Like most cyclists, I always dismount here.

The towpath starts at the Lochrin Basin in Fountainbridge. This can be reached from behind the Cargo bar (by the roundabout at the foot of Gardner's Crescent) or at the recently-restored Leamington Lift Bridge (go down Leamington Terrace from Bruntsfield - see picture, above left). Another good access point is Harrison Park in Polwarth. When riding away from the city, the canal will be on your left.

The towpath follows the canal along its entire route. It will take you to Ratho, Broxburn, Winchburgh, Linlithgow and beyond. At Falkirk, it connects with the Forth-Clyde Canal to Glasgow. Note that, if you are heading for Linlithgow or beyond, the NCN 1 alternative via Cramond Brig and Kirkliston (described above) is shorter and more varied, although the canal route is flatter and avoids all roads.

Approximate distances from the city centre
Ratho, 9 miles. Winchburgh, 16 miles. Linlithgow 22 miles. Falkirk Wheel: 34 miles.

The Water of Leith Walkway to Balerno, the Pentland Hills and West Lothian

The 12-mile Water of Leith Walkway, which runs from Leith to Balerno, provides one of the most attractive routes out of Edinburgh. It passes through dramatic steep-sided glens, patches of dense woodland and several of the old industrial villages that have since been absorbed into the city. Designated as an official Urban Wildlife Site, the river is home to mallards, herons, kingfishers, foxes, badgers and otters.

As its name suggests, the Walkway is primarily intended for walkers rather than cyclists. There are places where the path is steep and narrow, and you will occasionally have to dismount - sometimes to haul your bike up or down short flights of steps. Ride carefully and show consideration for pedestrians. There are also two difficult roads to cross: Balgreen Road and Gorgie Road. There really ought to be lights-controlled crossings here. As it is, you'll just have to dodge the traffic.

You can join the path at many places along its route, including Stockbridge (Saunders Street), Dean Village and Roseburn Park. Route-finding is easy - just follow the brown signs to Balerno.

After passing through Craiglockhart Dell, the path joins NCN 75, which at this point runs along an old railway line. From here to Balerno, the going is much easier.

The Walkway ends near Balerno High School. To continue along NCN 75, turn right at the path-end, then turn left into Lanark Road West. The signposted route continues to Kirknewton, Livingston and Bathgate, and then on to Glasgow and Greenock. Alternatively, mountain bike users heading for the Pentland Hills can turn left at the path-end, then left again along Bavelaw Road and Mansfield Road.

Alternative route combining the Union Canal and the Water of Leith
For a faster route to Balerno and beyond, take the Union Canal towpath, as described above. At the first bridge after the Slateford Aqueduct (which is two miles from the Leamington Bridge), look for an NCN 75 sign indicating a path to the right. Follow this path as it spirals up to the right, onto the bridge and then across the Lanark Road. The path then drops down to join the Water of Leith Walkway. Continue straight ahead through Colinton to Balerno.

Approximate distances from the city centre
Balerno, 9 miles. Kirknewton, 12 miles. Livingston, 16 miles.