CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Best closed road routes for cycling with kids

(24 posts)
  • Started 8 years ago by AlexPro2015
  • Latest reply from crowriver
  • This topic is resolved

  1. AlexPro2015
    Member

    Hi, I would appreciate the recommendation for the closed road cycling paths which would be good for cycling with younger kids - in Edinburgh or within 30 min drive from it.

    So far the best option I found is (oddly enough) a well known city path from Haymarket Yards to Newhaven/Trinity. Nice uninterrupted stretch, but it does get quite busy with dog walkers

    Another option we tried is Penicuik to Dalkeith - nice rural path, but it's interrupted by construction and new developments, plus has a few muddy patches, which is a bit detrimental for enjoyment (although we'll definitely be back)

    Any other suggestions would be appreciated... Don't mind traveling for it, but keen to avoid car traffic along the cycling route

    Posted 8 years ago #

  2. paddyirish
    Member

    Can't recommend the Spokes maps enough - they show all the off road and quiet on road routes. One for Edinburgh and one for each of the Lothians. It is amazing how much is out there.

    Loch Leven, 14 miles bike/walking path with cafes/farm shops every few miles. You could do an out and back from various car parks along the route, or depending on how young "young" is you could make a day of it. Flat but can get busy.

    Have taken a 7yo from Dalgety Bay into Edinburgh along Route 1. Virtually all off road except for a few residential roads where kids can cycle on pavements. You could do one way and return on train.

    @Rosie mentioned a good route on another thread, canal to Ratho, old railway line Newbridge to Dalmeny and then through Dalmeny Estate and Sustrans Route 1 back to Haymarket. There are various points on that route that you can do sections of.

    Dalmeny and Hopetoun estates have loads of quiet private roads and tracks which are ideal and there is a beautifully smooth path which starts from Blackness and goes most of the way to Bo'Ness which s ideal for very young kids

    Whatever you choose, find that assuming it is a weekend, getting out early is great, kids are fresher and paths less busy. A early/mid morning cafe treat is a wonderful carrot

    Posted 8 years ago #

  3. gembo
    Member

    The water of leith path from the canal 'flyover' footbridge at the bottom of Kingsknowe is dry at the moment. A tad bumpier than it used to be further up because of the fibre optic cable digging. You can get all the way to Balerno about five miles or. Peel off at Juni green or Currie looking for a cafe.

    All downhill on the way home. Cafe is open this Saturday in Balerno as it is the farmer's market.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  4. urchaidh
    Member

    You can get from Meadows to/from Portobello. Mildly faffy between Meadows & Innocent with a couple of short, quiet (100/200m) road sections as well. Fantastic run down to Bruntstane, pass good climbing frame at Bingham. Can cycle round 'Big W' or cross car park and railway bridge. 50m on road to pick up Niddrie Burn path to Newhailes. Path narrow in places but great fun. From Newhailes use the pavement to get kids to Porty prom- after a short section next to houses at Eastfeild the path is wide and safe. Prom. Ice cream. Recommend Little Green Van next to swimming pool for refreshments (weekends only sadly.)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  5. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    The coastal path from Musselburgh towards Seton Sands is pretty good. We used to do that regularly. Cafes at the Gothenburg and Cockenzie House. It's bit like exploring though, lots of little cut-throughs and choices e.g. Cockenzie back road (v quiet) or the little coastal path (not good at high tide).

    From the station at Lingniddry there's a long flat cyclepath to Haddington with the option of picking your way through the back roads to the cafe at the Peter Potter Gallery by the river.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  6. Greenroofer
    Member

    Airdrie to Bathgate cycle path is off-road for miles, and a really high quality path. Accessible from railway stations at places like Armadale or Caldercruix. From Bathgate it goes to Almondell, with only a few on-road sections, all of which are pretty quiet. From Almondell you can get onto the canal and follow that to Edinburgh.

    I'd second the @paddyirish recommendation of the Spokes maps. Also consider the Sustrans online mapping, which highlights all the off-road paths very clearly.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  7. Klaxon
    Member

    Silverknowes seafront is pleasant for a shorter ride than those suggested so far

    Posted 8 years ago #

  8. deckard112
    Member

    If you're prepared to drive for a few minutes longer there's Lochore Meadows in Lochgelly and Loch Leven in Kinross. Both have ample parking, loop round the respective lochs and have playparks, cafes and green space to make a morning/afternoon of it. I take my kids there regularly to cycle.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  9. crowriver
    Member

    Definitely worth exploring the North Edinburgh Path network, plenty of options there. Also worth a look is Leith to Portobello. You can start off in Leith Links, up the ramp, over the bridge and then to Seafield Street (a bit of on road or use the pavement), then along the shared use path adjacent to Seafield Road to Portobello Prom. Alternatively start at Easter Road, just south of Leith Academy, and follow the Restalrig railway path to Seafield Street exit.

    Anywhere you use a shared path there will be joggers, folk out for a stroll, dog walkers and the wee surprises dogs leave behind, alas...

    That said, it can be great fun cycling with the kids away from hazardous traffic.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  10. rbrtwtmn
    Member

    Just in case you're not familiar with the Openstreetmap based maps - see here:
    http://osm.org/go/evfLC3E3?layers=C
    Look for dashed blue lines - these indicate either cycleway or paths which are marked as suitable for cycling. Bear in mind though that 'suitable for cycling' is a broad brush. The highlighted (blue, red, etc) lines indicate that the path/road is also a cycle route of some kind - but you might not need this, just a long continuous path is often enough.

    Sustrans produced some thoughts on routes like this contained within Edinburgh a couple of years ago. See here: http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/themed-routes-0/urban-adventures/edinburgh-loops-and-links (the pdf maps have descriptions attached - most remain off-road or mostly off road).

    Posted 8 years ago #

  11. gembo
    Member

    The Sustrans tram canal loop is parts of various commutes on here but would be quiet at weekends and can avoid the aqueduct. If jammy or early park in water of leith visitor centre car park, bit tight but do visit the centre for a coffee, juice, biscuits and crisps at good value. Used to do this regularly when kids wee. Take WoL path round behind the jail then saughton park and follow the meander in the river. Almost to murrayfield then a bit along Baird drive which is never busy. Cross at lights at jenners depository, up the Tarmac to balgreen tram stop and from there round to stenhouse path and on towards Edinburgh park and the cut through under the bypass to gogar station road and from there up to the canal. Can that bit be done on pavement? That is Sustrans view. Canal back to longstone, cut down through longstone park avoiding the aqueduct and arrive at the totally quiet sainsburys. It has a cafe if you need more than the water of leith visitor centre. Sainsburys were considering a bridge over the WoL which would mean you could have used their carpark though they might try to fine you for over two hour stay (non enforceable) I post this because I prefer loops to out and backs and also because it turns our commutes into pleasurable weekend cycles that we might not see them as

    Posted 8 years ago #

  12. LaidBack
    Member

    Spokes have done a new 'favourite rides' book. One father and 11 year old daughter contributed a route from Armadale. That would be train assisted of course.
    There are 11 other contributions from Spokes members.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  13. AlexPro2015
    Member

    Thanks all - all great staff, very useful

    Posted 8 years ago #

  14. Greenroofer
    Member

    I've just been on the Dunfermline to Alloa bike path for the first time. It's wonderful. If you didn't want to do an out and back you would need someone to move your car to the other end, but there's a good car park at the Dunfermline end and the path is miles of flat, straight, car-free tarmac.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  15. Stickman
    Member

    I'd not heard of that one, but a quick Google threw up this:

    [+] Embed the video | Video DownloadGet the Flash Videos

    It does look really nice.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  16. wee folding bike
    Member

    In the wild, wild west there is Gt Cumbrae. It's full of bikes.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  17. acsimpson
    Member

    Alloa to Dunfermline or vice versa is a lovely route, it's also very quiet other than an occasional dog walker near the towns. It's well worth the detour from the coastal tour de Forth if you have the time.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  18. AlexPro2015
    Member

    Alloa to Dunfermline sounds perfect! Quick search gave this page with the route maps

    Looks like the car park off the Chalmers street in Dunfermline (near Glen bridge) is located very conviniently for the start of the trail

    Posted 8 years ago #

  19. slowcoach
    Member

    I was on the Longniddry to Haddington path yesterday and it was good. Surface is mainly Toptrec (a bit like smooth firm gravel) with some bitmac/asphalt (and lighting) from just before it goes under the A1 into Haddington. There might be some mud when wet but it was not noticeable yesterday. Gentle slopes most of the way. The quiet road/path connection at the Haddington end to the river was steeper and we didn't go there as we hadn't allowed ourselves enough time. Some interpretation boards/guides to wildlife/history/buildings, a couple of little ponds, but only one good bench to watch passing trains near Redhouse Castle. I'll add pic when I figure out how!?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  20. crowriver
    Member

    Aye, the Clackmannan to Dunfermline path is good. I've used it quite a lot as an alternative to the busy roads round there. Gets very leaf mulch in autumn/winter though.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  21. acsimpson
    Member

    If you park in the Chalmers street carpark you need to watch out for Buffies Brae, children are likley to end up walking up it unless they enjoy hills.

    If you want to park in town you might do better to park at Pitencrieff Park and ride up Maitland Street.

    As Greenroofer said there is a small car park at the start of the path on William Street which would remove all need to ride one road.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  22. crowriver
    Member

    Just another recommendation for the North Edinburgh Path Network.

    In particular, if you want a destination, ride the Hawthornvale path down towards Newhaven. Before the end, on the left, is Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, which not only has a gallery where you can view contemporary art (for free), but also has Sheffield stands for parking your bike, and a great cafe (Milk) where you can sip a flat white, munch on a cake and log on to wi-fi (if you want). On a nice day you can sit at tables outside too. The kids can run around outside in the large courtyard or choose from a selection of great kids' books in the cafe.

    Not many child-friendly cafes directly accessible by bike from an off-road path so it's well worth a visit.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  23. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Even for those of us without kids that sounds rather cool crowriver, cheers. Pretty sure I remember the building being built, and a sign saying it was going to be some sort of local arts hub. Must check it out.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  24. crowriver
    Member

    Kids certainly not mandatory! However we were made to feel welcome so it's a big thumbs up from me.

    Posted 8 years ago #

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