NORTH ESK Circling the loop Start and finish at any point. Travelling anti-clockwise is CYCLE LOOP recommended: gentler hills and easier turns. There are History, scenery and peace signs bearing the Loop logo at key junctions. on Edinburgh’s doorstep Starting at Eskbank railway station, turning left on to Dalhousie Road (B6392), the route passes through Eskbank (take Melville Length Conditions Surface Road B6392 at roundabout: caution - busy) and crosses the River North Esk. Farmland and views of the Pentland Hills 15 miles (24km), 9 miles (14km) Mostly tarmac, open out as you follow the on-road cycle path and then join the with a 5-mile traffic-free with short shared-use pavement north towards Gilmerton on Edinburgh’s (8km) extension ( sections of southern edge. At the end of the long straight, turn right down to Penicuik and extension also whindust/hard Distance: the ramp and left on to the traffic-free cycleway, built on a back traffic-free) gravel 15miles (24km) former railway line which closed in 1969. Time: Time How hilly? Suitable for 2-3 hours Passing under the City of Edinburgh Bypass, a path to your 2-3 hours Gentle gradients Experienced Difficulty: right links you to the Straiton Pond Nature Reserve, previously Easy/Medium or level, adult cyclists a clay pit. Straight ahead, the cycleway passes underneath Attractions especially anti- Suitable for: and facilities Maps the village of Loanhead (cafes and shops), and crosses the Experienced clockwise spectacular Bilston Glen Viaduct. Spanning the Bilston Burn, adult cyclists Rich history, great OS Landranger 140 feet (43m) below, the bridge dates from 1894. scenery, cafes, Total ascent 66; OS Explorer toilets, peace and 522ft (159m); 344, 345, 350; Further on, a wooden bridge offers a vantage point for views quiet highest point Spokes Cycle of the Pentland Hills. Ekki wood, chosen for its durability, 550ft (168m) Map of is used in the construction of two bridges on this route. The memorial to the Battle of Roslin (1303) appears as you Be safe enter Roslin village (food and shops), with its famous and mysterious Rosslyn Chapel (1446). The short sections of public road include some with a speed limit of 60 mph (100kph). While traffic is often light, Leaving Roslin, via Penicuik Road, take the second left you should maximise your visibility to vehicles, be vigilant, (quiet road, gently uphill). The route soon reaches its highest and ride (or walk) according to the prevailing conditions. point and turns left at the T-junction, down to the village of Please make other path users aware of your presence Auchendinny. Here, turn left at Dalmore Mill and join National if you approach them from behind (call out or ring your bell), Cycle Route 196, turning right through the tunnel for Penicuik and give priority to pedestrians. (cafes, shops), or turning left to continue on the North Esk Cycle Loop. This too is a former railway, which closed in Midlothian Council cycling information: 1967. The remarkable sign for Rosslyn Castle station dates (downloadable map, advice): www.midlothian.gov.uk/cycling, from 1874. or call the Cycling Officer on0131 271 3398 The route now runs gently uphill and crosses two roads (caution: fast traffic) before returning to tarmac and commencing a long descent towards Eskbank. This attractive, wooded section connects several communities with schools, a hospital, a supermarket, a college and the railway network, offering a real alternative to car travel. The route joins National Cycle Route 1 at Bonnyrigg (shops, cafes) and brings you back to Eskbank Station. PC users: click on images, names and symbols for websites NORTH ESK CYCLE LOOP & PENICUIK LINK Ride anti-clockwise for easier turns and hills! Suggested start/finish points: Edinburgh A772 7 miles (11km) A720 Eskbank rail station, Dobbies Garden A68 Entrance to Dalkeith World, Loanhead (Station Road), Country Park Roslin, Penicuik (Valleyfield Road) A772 Dobbies Garden A6106 or Rosewell Car Park World Cit Gilmerton Stn. Road y of Ed inburgh bypass CYCLE ROUTE MelvilleESKBANK Gate Rd A720 A768 CYCLE ROUTE STRAITON A7 TOLL National Cycle (PUBLIC ROAD) Route 1 and 196 Straiton Path to to North & East Other Cycle Retail Park Straiton LASSWADE Retail Park Route LOANHEAD A6094 Esk Main Road rth No r e BONNYRIGG Minor road iv Bilston R C oc Railway Viaduct k pe n R Attraction Xxxxxx A703 o N a A7 d Pub, cafe or takeaway CYCLISTS WELCOME

WELCOME Mining Museum National Cycle Route CYCLISTS 196 Penicuik to W E Cafe, not open Haddington every day ROSLIN

Restaurant Rosslyn Chapel S CYCLISTS WELCOME ROSEWELL WELCOME CYCLISTS Bike shop B7003 UNSUITABLE FOR CYCLISTS Parking A702 National Cycle Route 1 to Innerleithen and Cyclists Welcome CYCLISTS WELCOME Berwick-upon-Tweed WELCOME scheme CYCLISTS

Picnic place DALMORE MILL Rail station CAUTION Fast Traffic Battle of 0.5 1 2 3 4 5 Roslin site 1303 MILES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 River KMs

Built up area ATTRACTIONS KEY 4 Melville Golf Centre, Range & Course Rosslyn Chapel photography by A701 1 Rosslyn Chapel Dobbies Garden World Vic Sharp Photography and 5 Antonia Reeve / Rosslyn Chapel Trust. 2 Bilston Viaduct 6 Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World © Published by Midlothian Tourism Forum with financial assistance from Midlothian Council and Borders Railway, 3 Straiton Pond Nature Reserve 7 National Mining Museum Scotland August 2015 and revised 2017. www.visitmidlothian.org.uk