NT2570 : Trig Point, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh

Blackford Hill

164m Elevation
63m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NT2570 : Trig Point, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh

Leslie Barrie Photo source

Explore routes near Blackford Hill

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

St Abbs Circular with seal pups at Horsecastle Bay

3.7 km ~1h Easy

View route

Duddo Stones (Standing Stones)

2.5 km ~1h Easy

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Berwick Riverside and Walls walk from Station

3.9 km ~47m Easy

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Yeavering Bell and Easter Tor Circular

7.6 km Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Blackford Hill Circular Walk

A gentle circular route starting from the foot of the hill, perfect for families and novice walkers.

2.5 km ~1 hours Easy

Path from the Hermitage

A steeper ascent starting from Hermitage of Braid leading to the summit, offering beautiful views along the way.

1.5 km ~1.5 hours Moderate
Browse more walks on the map

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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

100-199m hill

Elevation

164m

538 ft

Prominence

63m

Coordinates

55.9230, -3.1946

NT254706

OS Map

66

Explorer: 350

At the Summit

The summit features a distinctive trig point, a panoramic viewpoint and a series of interpretive signs describing local wildlife and geology.

Terrain & Geology

Grassy with rocky outcrops offering an excellent mixture for foot placement.

Blackford Hill is primarily composed of volcanic rock, specifically basalt, formed during the volcanic activity that occurred around 340 million years ago. The cooling and erosion of this ancient volcanic rock give the hill its distinctive ruggedness.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, one can enjoy sweeping views of Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth, and the iconic Arthur's Seat.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Blackford' likely originates from the Old English 'bloece' meaning 'dark' or 'black', combined with 'ford', a nod to its past as a crossing point.

Historical Significance

Blackford Hill has long been a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, noted for its role in outdoor recreation and its archaeological significance regarding ancient earthworks.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Parking is available at the foot of Blackford Hill on Blackford Avenue, with limited spaces on nearby residential streets.

Public Transport

Regular buses run from the city centre to the Hermitage area; bus numbers 11 and 15 are your best mates for this trip.

Nearby Facilities

There are no facilities directly on the hill, but cafes and pubs can be found in nearby Morningside, just a short walk away.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Beware of sudden changes in weather; even a sunny day can turn drizzly in Scotland. Watch your step on the more rugged sections of the paths.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Blackford Hill?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Blackford Hill through the maps

Are there other walkers around Blackford Hill?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Blackford Hill search or of course create your own walk for Blackford Hill

Can I organise a walk to Blackford Hill?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Blackford Hill.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Blackford Hill?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Blackford Hill here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: NT254706

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Arthur's Seat

Arthur's Seat

251m

Scald Law

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Black Mount

516m

Broad Law

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 Traprain Law

Traprain Law

221m
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