Stunning eight mile running route from Leith around Holyrood Park

Amazing views across Edinburgh make this eight-mile run from Leith through the royal park well and truly worth the incline.

A view of Edinburgh from Queen's Drive.

Route Information:

• Distance: 8 miles. Terrain: pavements, Elevation: steep (438ft highest).
• Highlights: views across Edinburgh from Holyrood Park.
• Tracks for Playlist: Carole King - I Feel The Earth, Katrina and the Waves - Walking on Sunshine, Kenny Loggins - Footloose, and Rachel Platten - Fight Song.

The eight mile route.

Stage 1

Depart from Ocean Drive along Commercial Street toward Leith. Cross the Water of Leith towards Leith Links park.

Stage 2

Cut through the park and run to the top of Easter Road. Climb the steps at the end and cross at the lights to follow the downhill to the Palace of Holyrood.

Running along Queen's Drive - Holyrood Park.

Stage 3

At Holyrood Park turn right onto Queen’s Drive and continue all the way around the hill. Enjoy views of the city of Edinburgh from higher ground. Pass Dunsapie Loch on the descent.

Another runner passing Dunsapie Loch in the opposite direction.

Stage 4

At the bottom of the hill, turn right to Meadowbank Terrace and veer right onto the A1. Take the first left to Restalrig Road S and follow the path all the way back to Leith Links Park.

The Queen's Drive descent - clear blue skies and bright green grass.

Stage 5

Run back through the park and instead of keeping on Queen Charlotte Street turn right at Constitution Street. At the roundabout go left and head along Ocean Drive passing Ocean Terminal to the route's beginning.

Scenic views from Holyrood Park.

Stage 7 (Optional)

To make the route a full eight miles, turn right at the roundabout after Ocean Terminal and run along Melrose Drive for approximately 0.5miles.

An Elevation Graph of the route.

The Holyrood Park route on a bright sunshiny day.

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