Water of Leith Walkway facts for kids
The Water of Leith Walkway is a special path in Edinburgh, Scotland. It's a great place for walking and cycling. This path follows the Water of Leith, a small river, all the way from Balerno to Leith.
People first thought about making this path in 1949. But building it didn't start until after 1973. Today, the walkway lets you visit cool places. These include the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Dean Gallery.
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Exploring the Walkway: Walking and Cycling
The Water of Leith Walkway is about 12.25 miles (19.6 kilometers) long. It starts near Balerno High School and goes all the way to Leith. The path goes slightly downhill, but it's so gentle you barely notice it.
Most of the path is away from busy roads. About half a mile of the route is on roads. The rest of the time, you'll be right next to the Water of Leith. The part from Balerno to Slateford uses an old railway line.
Path Surface and Signs
The path has different surfaces. Some parts are tarmac, which is like a smooth road. Other parts are made of packed grit or earth. The path is usually in good shape. You won't find many muddy spots or holes. Lots of people use the path, both walkers and cyclists.
You'll see many signs along the way to help you. But sometimes, when the path meets a road in Edinburgh, it can be tricky to find where it continues. A few signs have been damaged or turned the wrong way.
Journey's End and Return
The path goes through the pretty Dean Village area in Edinburgh. It finishes at the docks in Leith.
If you're walking, you can catch a bus back to Balerno. First, take a bus from Ocean Terminal to the center of Edinburgh. Then, take the 44 bus to Balerno. If you're cycling, the easiest way to get back is to just cycle the path again!
Fishing in the Water of Leith
The Water of Leith is also a good place to go fishing. This is because people have worked hard to clean up the water.
Types of Fish You Might Catch
You can expect to catch wild brown trout (Salmo trutta m. fario). You might also find grayling (Thymallus thymallus). Sometimes, a pike (Esox lucius) might be hiding nearby. Grayling only live in clean water. So, finding them here shows how clean the Water of Leith has become!
