Wonderful vivid blue winter sky and sun shine through the window this morning, tempting me out of the home office for some lunch time running. Just a couple of kilometres along the roads and canal side will lead me to trails around the pretty little Craiglockhart Hills. Lunch time comes, sun shine no more, but no matter ... I set off in a delightful drizzle, with teasing patches of mist about here and there.
 |
| The canal, still some ice floating around. |
The trails are joined at Craiglockhart Leisure and Tennis Centre. I can see a few bored dreadmillers in the gym ... I can't understand running in the air conditioned room on a dreadmill when we have all this wonderful fresh air and splendour out here. The autumn leaf fall is a riotous and joyful feast for my eyes.
 |
| Easter Craiglockhart Local Nature Reserve |
A small ascent along the side of Easter Craiglockhart Hill and then descent to Glenlockhart Road, where this gate leads to the ascent of Wester Craiglockhart Hill. I turned left following the sign for "Walkers", there is also a sign for "Golfers" who turn right, there is no sign for "Runners" :-)
 |
| The entrance to Wester Craiglockhart |
The path upwards through the trees here is muddy, and the wet leaves are slippery. There is a short steep section where I am wishing I was wearing my studs. I have no traction in my old road shoes, slipping and sliding about the place :).
 |
| The path upwards through trees on Wester Craiglockhart Hill |
Soon a turn to the right and we are on the open hill side, then after a short distance on tracks through the gorse the summit of little Wester Craiglockhart Hill is reached. The tops of the Pentland hills to the South are shrouded with low cloud (lovely running there!), to the North-East Edinburgh Castle and Arthur's Seat (more lovely running there!).
 |
| The summit of Wester Craiglockhart Hill, with views over shrouded Pentlands. |
 |
| Looking out over Arthur's Seat and Edinburgh Castle. |
There are a few different ways down from here. I like the narrow steep path through the gorse, mostly because it's narrow and steep and great fun to run, but also this route avoids the golf course as much as possible. The low flying golf balls can be a bit off-putting, and it's understandable the golfer folk do not always welcome people scampering around the edges of their greens.
 |
| Descent from Wester Craiglockhart Hill through the gorse. |
The route takes me back through the gate on Glenlockhart Road, returning to Easter Craiglockhart Local Nature Reserve, then upwards again through trees with lots more steps, and soon out onto the open hill side.
 |
| The path upwards on Easter Craiglockhart Hill, through trees, more steps. |
 |
| On the open hill side around the top of Easter Craiglockhart Hill. |
The views from the top of Easter Craiglockhart Hill are also good. Looking back over Wester Craiglockhart Hill. The other side of this fence is another golf course.
 |
| Wester Craiglockhart Hill viewed from Easter Craiglockhart Hill. |
The route down today takes me back into the trees, around the edge of Craiglockhart Campus of Napier University, and through glorious mud, back into the bushes and trees.
 |
| Through the trees descending Easter Craiglockhart Hill. |
 |
| Craiglockhart Campus, Napier University. |
 |
| Glorious mud ... |
 |
| ... as we venture into the bushes. |
The paths through the nature reserve lead back toward the leisure centre and Craiglockhart Pond, where we leave the trails behind for today.
 |
| Craiglockhart Pond |
|
I return to the canal side where people are feeding the birds, and we can admire some pretty canal boats.
 |
| Feeding the birds at the canal side. |
 |
| Admiring the pretty canal boats. |
The bunting decorated narrowboat, Zazou, is a cafe!
From here just a mile or so of roadwork to return home. One enjoyable lunch hour of running and snapping, distance 10km, small climb approx 200m.
Bonus Photo: I headed out for an easy night time run along the canal this evening, and tried to take a few night photos of the guide lights on the canal side. This didn't work too well, but here's the "best" of the bunch.
No comments:
Post a Comment