I’ve been out and about on my bike quite a bit these last few weeks. I’ve been out to East Lothian to do a fabulous route around farmland and quiet rural roads with the Belles on Bikes, looped down to Portobello and up to Morningside and been pootling down my regular paths around Roseburn, Drylaw, Corstorphine, Trinity and Davidson’s Mains.
Suffice to say there’s been plenty pedalling. Sadly, not so many photos. Being conscious of a lack of updates, I thought I would share a gorgeous route I did in November out to South Queensferry, complete with photies. This is a really good one.
It’s another road-free lovely, especially if you’re starting in the west of the city like me. Much of the north section of the ever-wonderful Innertube links to NCN 1 and 76, which is what you want to get onto for this cycle. So whatever way you choose, get your bike down to Cramond. I did it via the cut through path at the back of Barnton.
There’s a wee side street off the main road at Cramond, following NCN 1 and 76. Incredibly, there are Shetland ponies in a field, in Cramond, in the city, in Edinburgh. I had no idea these guys were even here and I only live up the road!
Past the ponies there’s a stone bridge crossing the River Almond. It’s well worth stopping to take in the sound of the river and the views. It feels like Hobbiton. Very beautiful indeed, and it was doubly pretty with all the autumn colours in the trees on my last jaunt.
After the bridge, NCN 1 and 76 diverge. You pass the Cramond Brig, go through a wee metal gate and the NCN 76 is all yours. This route takes you through farmland to the Dalmeny Estate and eventually out into South Queensferry and it’s really quite a stunner.
It’s about 8 miles in total one way, mostly on unmade road or unmade path so ideal for the MTB, cyclocross or hybrid bike, but your skinny road tyres will definitely not appreciate the terrain! Also, as an added bonus, when I did the route I didn’t see a single car.
After a couple of miles the route takes you through the Dalmeny Estate. By this time you’ll be able to see the Forth estuary, with the bridges peeking out now and again. The coast is juxtaposed by manicured lawns and plenty of woodland, with the estate’s house quite the impressive sight.
The route continues to be reasonably well sign-posted through woodlands and muddyish path, and you hug the coast until eventually coming out almost on top of the Forth Bridge!
There are loads of places in South Queenferry to load up on tea and cake. There’s bike parking on the main street, with Sheffield stands to keep your trusty steed safe while you scoff. Ideal!
I believe there are a lot of routes from South Queensferry over the Forth Road Bridge and into Fife. So far I haven’t ventured across the bridge yet, but that is up for exploring now that spring is here. I will definitely do it when it’s not too windy!
If you fancy having a go at this cycle I’ve mapped the route for you starting from west Edinburgh, but you can add your own route in front to stretch it further. Check it out. It’s very easy, hardly any gradient and bursting full of views and perfect spots for picnics and pit stops. I heartily recommend it! 🙂
Claire Cycles 
Glad to have found your blog, my friend and I have decided to take in a decent cycle every week, it looks like your blog will help us find some new routes
Hi Niki thanks for your lovely comment. Hopefully you will find some inspiration with my blog and the routes I hope to post up over the coming cycle season. Thank goodness spring is here! 🙂
Thanks for sharing this lovely route. I cycle to Cramond every day for work but had no idea of the turn off just past the bridge! I can’t wait for the weekend to try it out though I’m not sure if y wee Mezzo folder will handle it well!
Hi Pedro, thanks for the comment! The fold up might struggle a wee bit on the gravel and paths but you can give it a go. It’s a really pretty route so I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Hello, I actually cycled this coastal route 2 years ago and it is indeed a wonderful route – both scenic and quiet. If you have a mountain bike, I recommend you cycle through Long Green Wood which is marked on your map – when cycling north beside the River Almond, you keep going north rather than turn left as marked on your map, then obviously turn left at the crossroads. If you persevere along this path, you’ll arrive at the Dalmeny estate. At this point, I ended up cycling along the edge of their lawn. Since I’m a fair-weather cyclist, I recommend you ride this route during a spell of fine weather.
That sounds like a great route! Will need to explore that one when I finally get around to purchasing a half-decent mountain bike… 🙂