Water of Leith Walkway and Dean Village

The Water of Leith is the small river that runs through Edinburgh to the sea at Leith, and the walkway beside it is one of the most rewarding ways to see the city away from the crowds. The route runs for about 13 miles from Balerno on the south-western edge of the city to Leith, and it is looked after by the Water of Leith Conservation Trust, a charity that has worked on the river since 1988.

Most visitors walk the central stretch. From Roseburn, the path passes close to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, one of the places where Antony Gormley's 6 Times statues can be seen, and then drops into Dean Village. This historic village, tucked in the valley just a few minutes from the West End, has stone buildings, footbridges and a quiet atmosphere that make it one of the most photographed corners of Edinburgh. The path continues to Stockbridge, where you can stop for coffee or browse the shops, and on past the Royal Botanic Garden towards Leith.

The Trust breaks the route into sections. Roseburn to Stockbridge is about two miles and takes around 45 minutes; Stockbridge to Leith is about three and a half miles, or around an hour and 20 minutes. The longer, greener upper stretch from Balerno to Slateford is about five miles and passes Colinton Village, the Colinton Tunnel mural and Craiglockhart Dell. The path is suitable for cycling and partly accessible by wheelchair. Check the Trust's website for closures before you go: at the time of writing a footbridge near Currie and the bridge at Powderhall are closed, with signed diversions.

The Water of Leith Visitor Centre, run by the Trust, opens daily from 10am to 4pm, with a community café and exhibition, and sells walkway maps. The walk itself is free and open at all times, but some sections are quiet and unlit, so it is best enjoyed in daylight.

This is a good choice for walkers, runners, families and photographers, and for anyone wanting to see a greener side of the city between sightseeing stops. A popular half-day plan is to visit the Gallery of Modern Art, follow the river through Dean Village to Stockbridge for lunch, then continue to the Botanic Garden. On a Sunday, the Stockbridge Market makes a natural stop on the way.