{Edinburgh} Climbing Blackford Hill with Kids

On the southern edge of Edinburgh lies Blackford Hill. At 164 metres, its summit offers sweeping views across the city, the Firth of Forth and the Pentland Hills. It forms part of the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Nature Reserve, a green oasis roughly two miles south of the city centre that also includes Blackford Pond and the Braid Burn.

Here’s everything you need to know about going up Blackford Hill with kids, from how to get there to the best routes for families.

Is Blackford Hill suitable for families?

Yes — Blackford Hill is a very family-friendly climb. While there are some steep sections, the variety of routes means you can usually find one that suits your group.We’ve been up many times since our kids were little.

The paths to the summit include uneven steps, roots and muddy patches. You won’t be able to take a pram or pushchair to the top, so it’s best suited to children who can walk independently, or babies in carriers. Bribing kids with snacks and the promise of views — which really are worth it — is a tried-and-tested strategy!

If in doubt, start with a shorter route and save a full circuit for a day when everyone’s feeling energetic. And if plans change, it’s easy to turn back early and just explore the woods or spend time around the pond — it’s never a wasted trip.

Best ways up Blackford Hill

There are several routes to the top of Blackford Hill:

• Short on time but want a good leg stretch? Start from Blackford Pond and head straight up to the summit.
• Fancy more of an adventure? Begin in the Hermitage of Braid and follow the Braid Burn before climbing up the hill through the woods.
• Want the views with minimal climbing? Start from the Royal Observatory for a gentler approach.

Even within these options there are lots of intersecting paths that lead to the top. For a full overview, the ‘Friends of the Hermitage of Braid’ map is excellent: https://www.fohb.org/

You can also mix and match routes – for example, climbing up via Blackford Pond and coming back down through the Hermitage of Braid makes for a longer but more varied outing.

Here are some more details on each of the routes.

The Blackford Pond Route

This is our most frequently used route and one of the quickest ways to the top, which makes it a great option for families. It starts and finishes at Blackford Pond, an easy landmark to aim for and a lovely place to explore before or after the climb.

At Blackford Pond, enter via the main gate at the Cluny Gardens/ Charterhall Road junction and turn left. Follow the path until the first junction. Here you have two options.

Option 1:

Carry on straight ahead. This path winds slowly upwards rounds the side of the hill. When you reach the Observatory, turn right onto the grassy slope and aim towards the transmitter mast. This option is a slightly longer, but more gentle climb.

Option 2:

Alternatively, turn right at the junction, on to the path that doubles back. Follow the path for a bit, then scramble scramble straight up the grassy hillside between the gorse bushes. Aim for the transmitter mast. This option is a stepper but faster climb.

We usually take the steep route up and the longer, gentler way back down as scrambling up the steep hillside is easier – and safer – than scrambling down it.

How to get there
Lothian Bus 38 to Charterhall Road/ Cluny Gardens, then a short walk to the Blackford Pond entrance.

How long does it take?

• Around 15 minutes straight up the hillside
• Around 20 minutes via the longer route past the Observatory

All times are for a direct walk up and don’t include breaks. You’ll also need to allow time for coming back down.

The Hermitage of Braid Route

If your kids are happy walking a bit further, starting in the Hermitage of Braid turns Blackford Hill into more of a mini-adventure. There are a couple of options here too.

Option 1:
From the Hermitage entrance, take the dirt path along the north side of the Braid Burn. When you see the doocot on your left, take the steps up and continue along the upper path.

From here you can either cut across Midmar Paddock or continue to the gap in the wall and turn left. Both lead to a set of steep steps climbing directly up to the summit.

Option 2:
Start on the paved path along the south side of the burn and turn right just before Hermitage House. Follow the dirt path along the burn to Scout Bridge — a large wooden bridge you can’t miss. (Tip: pick up some sticks for Pooh Sticks at one of the bridges along the way.)

At Scout Bridge, turn left, then right again to follow the zig-zag of paths climbing the hillside.

There are signposts pointing towards the summit, and as before, the large transmitter mast is an excellent landmark to aim for.

Another option is to continue past Scout Bridge and making your way up the hill from the Community Wood at the east end of the Hermitage of Braid, but we’ve never gone that way before.

How to get there
Lothian Bus 5, 11, 15 or 16 to Comiston Road, then a short walk to the Braid Road entrance. 

How long does it take?

• North side of the burn via Midmar Paddock: ~25 minutes
• South side via Scout Bridge and zig-zag paths: ~35 minutes
• Longer route beyond Scout Bridge: ~45 minutes

All times are for a direct walk up and don’t include breaks. You’ll also need to allow time for coming back down.

The Royal Observatory Route

This is the easiest option if you want the views but want to avoid most of the hillside climb. You’ll still need to walk uphill from the bus stop – it is a hill, after all – but a steep road can feel more manageable than a rough path.

Walk up Observatory Road, pass the Observatory building, and continue straight ahead across the grassy slope to reach the summit.

There’s also a small car park at the Observatory. From there, follow the paved path towards the transmitter mast, then cross the grassy section to the top. We don’t use this route often, but it’s useful for visiting friends or relatives who can’t manage a full hill climb.

How to get there
Lothian Bus 9 or 38 to West Mains Road, then a walk up Observatory Road. 

How long does it take?

• Around 15 minutes from the bus stop
• Around 5 minutes from the car park

At the top

The summit marker makes it very clear when you’ve “made it”, which I’ve found motivating for my kids. The 360-degree panorama view of the city is stunning.

You can see:

• The Pentland Hills
• Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town ridge
• Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags
• The Firth of Forth and, on very clear days, the Forth bridges

As well as the summit marker, there’s also a viewfinder to help you identify landmarks.

Before heading back down, the summit is a brilliant spot for a rest and a snack. There’s a few benches scattered around, and plenty of space for kids to run off some steam. But keep an eye on steeper edges and remind everyone not to go too close to the drop-offs!

What to wear

Underfoot, expect a mix of grassy paths, dirt, rocks and occasional steps. In wet weather it can be muddy and slippery, so sturdy trainers or light walking shoes are a better choice than smooth-soled shoes.

It can also be noticeably windier at the top than in the city below, so an extra layer – especially for kids – is a good idea, even on mild days.

Blackford Hill with a pram: good alternatives

You can’t push a pram to the summit, but you can still enjoy the area with wheels.

Good pram-friendly options include:

• Laps around Blackford Pond: flat paths, benches, and plenty to look at.
• Lower woodland paths in the Hermitage of Braid: gentler tracks along the burn that still feel green and peaceful.

Both give you that “out of the city” feeling without committing to a full hill climb. If there’s more than one adult, one could stay on the lower paths with the pram while the other takes older children up to the summit and back.

Have you been to Blackford Hill? What’s your favourite way up?