Balmoral

Edinburgh core path - Claremont and Easter Road

Connects two historic Edinburgh neighbourhoods via mostly flat, paved paths along old railway corridors and residential streets. Perfect for families with buggies and young children—entirely pushchair-friendly with gentle gradients throughout. Dogs welcome on leads, particularly around the shared sections near housing. Worth doing for an easy urban walk linking Leith Walk to Holyrood Park's eastern edge, ideal for locals exploring lesser-known corners of the city.

The Royal Mile

Stroll one of Scotland's most famous streets connecting Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace along cobbled, gently sloping paths through the Old Town. Fully paved and buggy-friendly, though the downhill gradient and crowded medieval closes can be tricky with pushchairs. Dogs welcome but expect bustling pavements. Soak up 500 years of history, admire stunning architecture, and duck into atmospheric wynds between street performers and whisky shops.

John Muir Way (South Queensferry to Edinburgh part 2)

Follows the historic Union Canal towpath into Edinburgh's heart, offering flat, traffic-free walking perfect for buggies, young children, and dogs on leads. The level terrain makes this an easy 10km stretch with urban-meets-rural views, passing quirky canal bridges and narrowboats. Ideal for families wanting a leisurely introduction to the John Muir Way's coastal-to-capital journey, with multiple access points and cafés en route making it flexible for shorter strolls.

Water of Leith Walkway (Slateford to Leith)

John Muir Way (Edinburgh to Prestonpans)