Riverside Ramble, Balerno to Balgreen: January 11, 2013

Free time on a Friday morning and a pretty little mixed terrain ramble along the riverside from Balerno to Balgreen on the Water of Leith Walkway. The journey today starts at the southern end of the walkway near the High School in Balerno, the river soon comes into view through the trees.

The beginning, near the high school in Balerno

The river comes into view through the trees.

There are a few pretty, muddy, leafy, twiggy, little side trails off the footpath between the trees alongside the river, some stepping stones, and small waterfalls.

Trails through the trees

Stepping stones

Small waterfalls

The footpath is rejoined and brings us to Kirkgate. To the left a river bridge and road leading into Currie, but my route turns right onto more trails at the bottom of the steps.

Kirkgate

River bridge and more trails to the right

Riverside trails

There are several bridges, old and new, over the river here. Blinkbonny Road crosses the river on a beautiful old stone bridge. The city bypass crossed on a less appealing modern bridge near Juniper Green. The mill wheel here is only decorative but in years past this section of the river had many mills. There is a weir just beyond the bypass.

Blinkbonny road river bridge.

City bypass near Juniper Green.

Weir with fallen tree

There are choices as Colinton is approached, continue on the west bank of the river on the old railway branch line, or through Spylaw Park, over another river bridge, and soon cross onto the east bank. The east bank is easily the prettiest and makes for some very pleasant running. Crossing the river there is another, larger, weir as we approach Kates Mill.

Spylaw bridge.

Another weir

Kates Mill Cottage

The section of the walkway here on the east bank after Kates Mill heading toward Slateford is a real treasure for walkers and runners. There are a few sets of steps, and the path along the west bank is better for the bicycle. The path goes past a little curio, I don't have any idea as to the purpose of this small building.

Wooden steps

Curio

The visitor centre at Slateford is soon reached, and here there are wooden steps between the river side path and the canal side path. I am up and down these steps several times a week, often on the school run (literally! bus one way, run the other way). Today I continue along the river side to Balgreen. The short section at Balgreen is almost always spectacular in the autumn, running along a carpet of golden leaf fall lifts the heart.

Interchange between river side and canal side st Slateford

This section at Balgreen is spectacular in the autumn

I am almost done with the river side now, in a few meters a bridge to the right takes me onto the roads, and about a mile of road work back to home.

I've had a pleasant hour and more this morning, about 13 km of running, and loads of photos. The rain held off, it was mild, it was nice.