Walkmates
Walk
Route by PaulWalkmates
Save the route to find it later. Follow it to hear when a date is added.
Start beside the Water of Leith Visitor Centre at Slateford and follow Edinburgh’s river through Saughton Park, Murrayfield, Dean Village, Stockbridge and Canonmills to the Shore. Finish on the public quay beside the eastern end of the old Victoria swing bridge at Leith.
This is a one-way urban walk on riverside paths, park tracks, cobbled lanes and pavement sections, with steps and busy road crossings. Allow around 3 hours 45 minutes with short stops. Arrange your return journey before setting off; no parking is assumed at either end. Follow the signed walkway and use pavements and pedestrian crossings on road sections.
At Warriston the route uses St Mark’s road bridge. Do not use the closed Powderhall / St Mark’s Path footbridge or its Broughton Road connector. Riverside paths can be muddy, slippery, icy or flooded after bad weather. Avoid floodwater, follow local closures and allow enough daylight. The full route is not step free.
Cover photograph: Water of Leith Walkway near Stockbridge by Jim Barton (May 2025), CC BY-SA 2.0.
Use the route details to plan your walk
If the map image does not load, the route description and starting-point details are still on this page.
The interactive map will load when you reach this section.
Start when you're ready and add the walk to your history. No group date needed.
For walkers
Watch: portrait video or landscape video.
Saved Walks needs an account. Reopening the website needs a connection; check access, weather and your own navigation before you go.
Not ready to pick a date? Follow it and you'll hear when somebody else does.
No commitment. You can follow it now and pick a date later.
Other routes starting close to this one
Explore more: More walks in Slateford Walks in Lothian
A few things to know before you make plans.
You can be the first to join a scheduled walk. A suggested date is an idea for a group walk; choose Set this date up to organise it. Check the participant list and meeting details before setting off.
Choose Put a date on this walk to organise a group walk. Not ready to choose a day? Follow the route for scheduling updates, or save it for later.
The organiser sets the date and meeting details and helps the group get started. They are a fellow walker and may be new to the route too.
Each walker is responsible for their own safety and navigation. Check the route, weather, equipment and whether the walk suits your experience and fitness.
Yes. Choose Walk this route on your own to open the start screen, then start when you are ready. Finish the walk to add it to your walking history. You do not need a group date.
Use the walk page to check meeting details, updates and who is going. Check in from 24 hours before the start to let the group know you still plan to come.
Check the participant list and check-ins, and message the organiser or other walkers to confirm where to meet and who is coming. This is especially useful when the group is small.
Necessary storage keeps Walkmates working. With your permission, Google Analytics, Mixpanel and Simple Analytics help us understand how the site is used. Optional analytics stay off until you choose.