Best Walks Near Edinburgh & Glasgow by Public Transport

Quick Summary

• Ten walks within 90 minutes of Edinburgh or Glasgow by train or bus — no car, no car park charges, no single-track road stress
• Five from each city covering Munros, Corbetts, coastal paths and lowland ridge walks, all between 8km and 22km
• Every route starts and finishes at a public transport stop — door-to-trail timings, last bus/train home and the specific ScotRail or Citylink service to catch
• Plan your day — our Naismith's Rule Calculator estimates walking time with Scotland-specific terrain and weather multipliers so you don't miss the last train

Scotland has some of the best public transport access to serious hill country in Britain. From Glasgow Queen Street you can be at the foot of a Munro in under an hour. From Edinburgh Waverley you can reach the Pentland Hills, the Fife coast or the Borders in less time than it takes most people to find parking at a Lake District honeypot. The problem is nobody tells you which walks actually work by public transport — most route guides assume you have a car.

Quick Answer: The best walks near Edinburgh by public transport are the Pentland Hills ridge from Flotterstone (bus 101, 40 minutes), Arthur's Seat circular (walk from Waverley, 5km), North Berwick Law and coast (train, 33 minutes), the John Muir Way coastal section from Dunbar (train, 55 minutes), and the Moorfoot Hills from Gorebridge (train + 2km road walk). From Glasgow: Ben Lomond via Balloch (train 50 min + bus), The Cobbler from Arrochar & Tarbet station (train, 68 minutes), Campsie Fells from Lennoxtown (bus 88, 40 minutes), Loch Lomond west shore from Balloch (train, 50 minutes), and the Kilpatrick Hills from Milngavie (train, 24 minutes). Full route details, distances, ascent and last-service times below.

Why public transport works for Scottish walks

Three things make car-free walking easier in Scotland than anywhere else in Britain:

1. ScotRail reaches the hills. The West Highland Line, the Glasgow–Oban line and the Borders Railway put genuine mountain country within commuter-distance of Scotland's two biggest cities. No other UK rail network does this.
2. Bus services fill the gaps. Citylink coaches, local council buses and demand-responsive transport reach trailheads that the railway misses — Flotterstone, Lennoxtown, Balmaha.
3. Linear walks become easy. Without a car to return to, you can walk point-to-point: start at one station, finish at another. Some of the best Scottish walks — the Cobbler via Arrochar, the Loch Lomond shore path — are natural one-way routes.

The walks below are split by city. All distances are total walking distance (not one-way). All ascent figures are cumulative. Train times are from the main city-centre station (Edinburgh Waverley or Glasgow Queen Street) to the start of the walk.

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Edinburgh: five walks by public transport

1. Pentland Hills ridge — Flotterstone to Balerno

The Pentland Hills are Edinburgh's backyard mountain range — a 25km ridge of grass and heather running southwest from the city boundary. The classic traverse runs from Flotterstone Inn over Turnhouse Hill (506m), Carnethy Hill (573m) and Scald Law (579m, the highest Pentland) before dropping to Balerno via the reservoir path.

The ridge is exposed and treeless above 400m. In clear weather you can see from the Forth bridges to the Borders. In wind and rain it feels properly wild for a range that starts 8 miles from Princes Street. Navigation is straightforward in summer but the featureless plateau between Carnethy and Scald Law needs care in low cloud.

Last bus home: The 44 from Balerno runs until about 23:00. You will not miss this bus.

2. Arthur's Seat circular — Edinburgh city centre

The most accessible proper hill walk in any British city. Arthur's Seat is an extinct volcano sitting inside Holyrood Park, ten minutes on foot from Edinburgh's main railway station. The standard circuit goes clockwise via St Margaret's Loch, up the east face to the summit (251m), then down via Salisbury Crags and the Radical Road back to Holyrood.

Don't dismiss it as a tourist stroll. The east-face path involves mild scrambling, the summit is exposed to wind in every direction, and on a January morning with ice on the path it demands proper footwear. On a clear day the view covers the Pentlands, the Firth of Forth, Fife and the Borders.

Last bus home: You're in the city centre. Walk to the pub.

3. North Berwick Law and coastal path

A half-day walk combining a volcanic hill, a ruined castle and the East Lothian coast. From North Berwick station, walk south to the Law — a steep conical hill with a whale jawbone arch on the summit and panoramic views across the Firth of Forth to Fife. Descend north to the harbour, then follow the coastal path east past the Scottish Seabird Centre to Tantallon Castle (3km along the cliffs). Return the same way or loop inland via the fields.

The East Lothian coast is drier and sunnier than the west — this is a genuinely good option on days when Glasgow is underwater. Gannet colonies on the Bass Rock are visible from the cliff path between May and September.

Last train home: Half-hourly until about 23:30. One of the most forgiving timetables on this list.

4. John Muir Way coastal section — Dunbar to North Berwick

A full-day linear coastal walk along the John Muir Way, named after the Dunbar-born founder of the US National Park system. The route follows the East Lothian coastline west from Dunbar through Tyninghame, past the mouth of the River Tyne, along Ravensheugh Sands and into North Berwick.

This is a flat, low-level walk with virtually no navigational difficulty — but it covers 22km of exposed coastline, so wind and rain hit harder than the terrain suggests. Pack waterproofs and allow a full day. The beaches between Tyninghame and North Berwick are some of the best in lowland Scotland, and in summer you'll have them largely to yourself on a weekday.

Last train home: North Berwick to Waverley, half-hourly until ~23:30.

5. Moorfoot Hills — Gorebridge to Gladhouse Reservoir

The Borders Railway opened in 2015 and put the northern Moorfoot Hills within half an hour of Edinburgh for the first time since the 1960s. From Gorebridge station, a 2km road walk south reaches the open hill. The route climbs through farmland to the heather ridge running south to Jeffries Corse (467m) and Dundreich (623m if you want to extend), with views across the Borders to the Cheviots on a clear day.

This is a quieter, wilder walk than the Pentlands — you are unlikely to see another walker on the Moorfoot ridge on a weekday. Navigation above the tree line requires map and compass in cloud; the terrain is boggy peat hag in places. Not a wet-weather first choice, but rewarding in clear conditions.

Last train home: Gorebridge to Waverley runs hourly, last service around 23:00.

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Glasgow: five walks by public transport

6. Ben Lomond — Balloch + bus to Balmaha or Rowardennan

The most accessible Munro from Glasgow and the most popular hill in Scotland after Ben Nevis. The standard Ptarmigan route from the Rowardennan car park is a clear, well-maintained path to the summit — 974m of Munro with views down Loch Lomond and across to the Arrochar Alps.

The trick is getting there without a car. The reliable year-round option is train to Balloch, bus 309 to Balmaha, then walk the 5km West Highland Way section north to Rowardennan (adding 10km and 1.5 hours to the day). In summer, a seasonal passenger ferry crosses from Inversnaid or Tarbet. Check the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park website for current ferry schedules — they change yearly.

Last train home: Balloch to Queen Street runs half-hourly until ~23:30.

7. The Cobbler (Ben Arthur) — Arrochar & Tarbet station

The single best walk by public transport in Scotland. The West Highland Line drops you at Arrochar & Tarbet station, and the Cobbler trailhead is a 1km walk along the A83. The path climbs through forestry to the Narnain Boulders, then up the southeast ridge to the triple-peaked summit of The Cobbler — an 884m Corbett with a final scramble through a rock window to the true summit that makes most Munros feel tame.

The Cobbler is covered in detail in our dedicated guide. The key point for public transport walkers: the West Highland Line is a single-track railway running roughly every two hours, and the last train back to Glasgow is around 18:30 in summer. Start early. If you catch the 08:20 from Queen Street, you'll have ten hours on the hill before the last service — more than enough.

Last train home: Around 18:30 summer weekdays, earlier on Sundays. Check the West Highland Line timetable specifically — this is not a commuter service.

8. Campsie Fells — Lennoxtown circular

The Campsie Fells are the hills you see from every north-facing window in Glasgow — a long escarpment of basalt cliffs running east from Dumgoyne to Earl's Seat. From Lennoxtown, the standard route climbs the Campsie Glen waterfall path to the plateau, traverses east to Earl's Seat (578m, the highest point) and returns via Cort-ma Law and the Crow Road descent.

The plateau is featureless peat hag in mist — carry a map and compass even though the hill looks small from Glasgow. In clear weather the views north to the Highlands and south across the Central Belt are exceptional for the modest height. This is a good winter walk when higher hills have snow: the Campsies rarely hold enough snow to need crampons, but they give a proper hill day.

Last bus home: The 88 from Lennoxtown runs until about 23:00 on weekdays, reduced on Sundays.

9. Loch Lomond west shore — Balloch to Luss

A low-level linear loch-shore walk that works in almost any weather and any season. From Balloch station, follow the West Highland Way north along the west shore of Loch Lomond to the village of Luss (15km). The path runs through oak woodland, passes several beaches and gives views across to the islands and the east shore.

This is the walk to recommend to someone visiting Glasgow who wants a day in the countryside without committing to a mountain. The terrain is gentle, the path is well-maintained, and Luss has a café and a pub at the end. In summer, swimming is possible from the loch-shore beaches between Balloch and Arden.

Last bus home: Citylink 926 from Luss runs several times daily; last service around 20:00 in summer.

10. Kilpatrick Hills — Milngavie circular

Milngavie is famous as the start of the West Highland Way, but the Kilpatrick Hills directly above the town are an underrated half-day walk. From Milngavie station, follow Craigmaddie Road north to the Mugdock Country Park entrance, then climb northwest through rough pasture to Duncolm (401m) — a basalt hill with views across the Clyde Valley to Arran on a clear day.

The Kilpatricks are rough, boggy and barely visited compared to the Campsies opposite. The terrain is heather and grass with no maintained paths above the country park boundary. This is a walk for people who like solitude more than summits — and the 24-minute train from Queen Street means you can be on the hill by 09:30 on any day of the week.

Last train home: Every 15 minutes until late evening. The most frequent service on this list.

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Practical tips for car-free walking in Scotland

Timetable tools

• Traveline Scotland (travelinescotland.com) — the only journey planner that combines ScotRail, Citylink, local buses and ferries in one search
• ScotRail app — real-time departures and live train tracking, essential for the West Highland Line where delays happen
• Google Maps transit routing — surprisingly reliable for Scottish buses, less so for demand-responsive services

Tickets and money

• ScotRail Off-Peak Day Return tickets are the default for most walks on this list. Buy at the station or on the app.
• The Spirit of Scotland railpass (4 days in 8, £169) is worth it if you're doing multiple walks in a week
• Most rural buses accept contactless payment. Some don't. Carry £10 in coins as backup.

Kit adjustments for public transport walks

Two things change when you're walking from a train station instead of a car park:

1. Everything you need is on your back for the full day. You can't leave spare kit in the car. Pack efficiently — our Gear Checklist Generator produces a Scotland-specific day-walk kit list that accounts for this.
2. You need to be time-disciplined. Miss the last train and your options are a taxi (£40–£80 from Arrochar to Glasgow) or an unplanned night out. Use Naismith's Rule with a 30-minute buffer.

Summary: the quick-reference table

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you do a Munro from Glasgow without a car?

Yes. Ben Lomond (974m) is reachable by ScotRail to Balloch then bus 309 to Balmaha, adding a 5km walk along the West Highland Way to the Rowardennan trailhead. The total day is long — 10–12 hours door to door — but it is a genuine car-free Munro from Glasgow city centre. The Cobbler (884m, a Corbett) is easier by public transport: 68 minutes on the West Highland Line to Arrochar & Tarbet station, then a 1km road walk to the trailhead.

What is the best walk from Edinburgh by train?

The Pentland Hills ridge from Flotterstone (bus 101, 40 minutes from Princes Street) is the best full-day walk. For a half-day, North Berwick Law and the coastal path (train, 33 minutes from Waverley) combines a volcanic hill, cliff-top views and a town with good pubs at the end. Arthur's Seat is the obvious quick option — ten minutes on foot from Waverley, no transport needed.

Is the West Highland Line reliable for hillwalking trips?

The West Highland Line is single-track north of Dumbarton and runs roughly every two hours. Delays of 10–20 minutes are not unusual, particularly in winter. It is reliable enough for a planned hill day if you build a 30-minute buffer into your timing. Check the ScotRail app for live running on the day. Sunday services are significantly reduced — never assume the weekday timetable applies.

Are Scottish bus services reliable enough for hillwalking?

Major routes (Lothian Buses in Edinburgh, First Bus in Glasgow, Citylink coaches on trunk roads) are generally reliable. Rural routes like the 309 to Balmaha run less frequently and are more vulnerable to cancellation. Always check the specific timetable on the day via Traveline Scotland or the operator's app, carry a charged phone, and have a backup plan (taxi number saved, alternative route to a main road).

What should I carry on a public transport hill day?

Everything a normal Scottish hill day requires — waterproofs, spare layer, food, water, map, phone — plus two extras: a printed timetable or offline screenshot of the return service, and enough cash for a taxi if you miss it. You cannot leave spare kit in a car, so pack weight discipline matters more than on a drive-to walk. Our Gear Checklist Generator builds a pack list tuned to your season and activity.

Can you wild camp on these walks by public transport?

Yes — wild camping is legal on most unenclosed land in Scotland under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. Several walks on this list pass through excellent wild camping terrain: the Pentland Hills ridge, the Moorfoot Hills, the Campsie Fells plateau, and the Loch Lomond west shore (outside the Camping Management Zones). See our wild camping guide for the full rules. A one-night wild camp turns a day walk into an overnight trip and removes the last-train deadline entirely.

Related Articles

• The Cobbler (Ben Arthur): Why Scotland's Best Hill Isn't a Munro — the full route guide for walk #7 on this list
• Your First Munro from Glasgow: 5 Hills Within 90 Minutes — more Glasgow-accessible hills, including some by car
• How to Start Hillwalking in Scotland: The Complete Beginner's Kit List — everything you need before your first hill day
• Loch Lomond Camping Permits & Management Zones Explained — essential reading if you're walking or camping on Loch Lomond's shores
• What to Wear Hillwalking in Scotland — the layering system that keeps you safe on any hill on this list
• Wild Camping in Scotland: What the Access Code Actually Means — turn a day walk into an overnight wild camp
• OutdoorSCOT Tools — Naismith Calculator, Gear Checklist and more free planning tools

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional instruction or safety guidance. Public transport timetables change — always verify current schedules before travelling. Mountain and outdoor conditions change rapidly — always check current conditions before heading out, carry appropriate equipment, and know your limits. Route descriptions are based on summer conditions unless stated otherwise. OutdoorSCOT is not liable for any incidents arising from the use of this information.

Sources

• ScotRail Timetables — ScotRail
• Traveline Scotland Journey Planner — Traveline Scotland
• Scottish Outdoor Access Code — NatureScot
• Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 — legislation.gov.uk
• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park — National Park Authority
• Mountain Weather Information Service — MWIS
• Ordnance Survey Maps — Ordnance Survey