Nautical Five Mile Circular Running Route from Leith

Stunning views of The Firth of Forth and Newhaven harbour make this five mile nautical run from Leith enjoyable.

The route.

Route Information: 

• Distance: 5 Miles (8km), Terrain: Pavements and cycle paths, Elevation: Flat (110ft highest).
• Highlights: Newhaven Lighthouse and pier, views of the Firth of Forth, and the Forth Bridges.
• Tracks for Playlist: Sunshine on Leith (The Proclaimers), Lighthouse (Lucy Spraggan) and When The Ship Comes In (Bob Dylan).

Set sail from Leith’s Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre where ample parking is available.

Turn right on Melrose Drive - a route that passes Leith Cruise Terminal where large, luxury ships are often moored.

Continue beyond the Asda Superstore taking care to avoid any abandoned or capsized shopping trolleys.

Then bear right along the Western Harbour Drive past multiple waterfront apartments. The path enters Lighthouse Park and there are stunning views of the Firth of Forth.

The path circles back on the other side of the apartments and from here you can see the Forth Bridges in the distance.

You will pass a David Lloyd gym before reaching Newhaven Lighthouse. The pier looks romantic with small boats bobbing on the water.

A view of Newhaven Lighthouse.

Turn right on to the path along the waterfront and then take a left on to Granton Road when you reach a roundabout.

There is a steep hill here with picturesque views of the estuary as you ascend.

A photograph taken from Granton Road. 

Keep going on this path through the district of Trinity. This area was largely developed as a mansion house district in the early 19^th century and many buildings were second homes to rich families in the New Town who used them as a country retreat.

Trinity is sometimes referred to as Leith’s Grange as the neighbourhood is comparable in style to The Grange area of Edinburgh. Today, the housing is mixed, and developers remain keen to build modern accommodation here.

When you reach Rosebank Road on your left, cross to the other side of Granton Road to a cycle path and walkway which is signposted.

Go down the steps and follow the path to the left, then straight along until it comes to an end at Lindsay Road leading back to Ocean Terminal.

An Elevation Graph of the route.