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Home , Auchendinny, Loanhead, Penicuik

NORTH ESK Circling the loop Start and finish at any point. Travelling anti-clockwise CYCLE LOOP is recommended: gentler hills and easier junctions. History, scenery and peace Starting at Eskbank railway station, turning left on to Dalhousie Road (B6392), the route passes through Eskbank on ’s doorstep (take Melville Road B6392 at roundabout: caution - busy) and crosses the River North Esk. Farmland and views of the Length Conditions Surface open out as you follow the on-road cycle path 15 miles (24km), 8 miles (13km) Mostly tarmac, and then join the shared-use pavement towards Gilmerton, with a 5-mile traffic-free with short on the southern edge of the city of Edinburgh. Dismount (8km) extension ( sections of after Bernard Hunter site entrance and cross with care, to Penicuik and extension also whindust/hard turning left on to a short section of public road which takes Distance: you to the start of the traffic-free cycleway, built in 2014 15miles (24km) back traffic-free) gravel on a 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 2-3 hours Gentle gradients Experienced Difficulty: your right takes you into the Pond Nature Reserve, or level, adult cyclists Easy/Medium previously a clay pit. The cycleway passes underneath Attractions especially anti- Suitable for: the village of Loanhead. and crosses the spectacular and facilities clockwise Maps Experienced Bilston Glen Viaduct. Spanning the Bilston Burn, 140 feet adult cyclists Rich history, great OS Landranger (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 bridge offers a vantage point for views of the quiet highest point Spokes Cycle Pentland Hills. Ekki wood, chosen for its durability, is used in 550ft (168m) Map of the construction of two bridges on this route. The memorial to the Battle of Roslin (1303) appears as you enter Roslin village, Be safe with its famous and mysterious Rosslyn Chapel (1446). The short sections of public road include some with Leaving Roslin, via Penicuik Road, ignore B7003 and take a speed limit of 60 mph (100kph). While traffic is often light, next left (unsigned road). The route reaches its highest point you should maximise your visibility to vehicles, be vigilant, and drops down to the village of . Here, turn left and ride (or walk) according to the prevailing conditions. at Dalmore Mill and join National Cycle Route 196, turning Please make other path users aware of your presence right for Penicuik, or turning left to continue on the North if you approach them from behind (call out or ring your bell), Esk Cycle Loop. This too is a former railway, which closed and give priority to pedestrians. in 1967. The remarkable sign for Rosslyn Castle station dates from 1874. Midlothian Council cycling information: The route now runs gently uphill and crosses (downloadable map, advice): www.midlothian.gov.uk/cycling, two roads (caution fast traffic) before returning to tarmac or call the Cycling Officer on0131 271 3398 and commencing a long descent towards Eskbank. This attractive, wooded section connects several extensive housing developments 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 , and brings you back to Eskbank Station. PC users: click on images, names and symbols for websites NORTH ESK CYCLE LOOP

& PENICUIK LINK CAUTION Fast Traffic Ride anti-clockwise for easier turns and hills! Suggested start/finish points: Edinburgh A772 7 miles (11km) Eskbank rail station, Dobbies Garden A720 A68 World, Loanhead (Station Road), Roslin, Penicuik (Valleyfield Road) MacGas Dobbies Garden A772 or Rosewell Car Park World Cit Gilmerton Stn. Road y of Ed inburgh bypass CYCLE ROUTE ESKBANK A720 A768 TOLL CYCLE ROUTE STRAITON A7 National Cycle (PUBLIC ROAD) Route 1 and 196 Straiton Path to to North & East Other Cycle Retail Park Straiton 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 and Cyclists Welcome CYCLISTS WELCOME Berwick-upon-Tweed WELCOME scheme CYCLISTS

Picnic place

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 A701 Rosslyn Chapel photography 1 Rosslyn Chapel 5 Dobbies Garden World by Vic Sharp Photography and Antonia Reeve / Rosslyn Chapel Trust. 2 Bilston Viaduct 6 Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World © Published by Midlothian Tourism Forum with financial assistance from Midlothian 3 Straiton Pond Nature Reserve 7 National Mining Museum Scotland Council and , August 2015. www.visitmidlothian.com