Discover the Edinburgh Park Canal Run: A Scenic Route for Runners

1.10.2025

If you're based at Edinburgh Park, and looking for a scenic, energising run, the Edinburgh Park Canal Run is a fantastic option. This 8km route offers a mix of peaceful canal paths, green spaces, and gentle hills ideal for a lunchtime jog or post-work unwind. Begin your run just outside Edinburgh Park Station, near Lochside Place. From here, head west toward the Union Canal, which serves as the backbone of the route. The canal towpath is well-maintained and easy to follow, making it suitable for runners of all levels. As you follow the canal, you’ll pass, modern office buildings and landscaped gardens of Edinburgh Park, peaceful waterside views with occasional swans and ducks, historic canal bridges and locks, and green corridors that feel miles away from the city buzz. The route is moderately hilly, adding a bit of challenge without being too strenuous. It’s a great mix of urban and natural scenery. The run finishes near Ratho, a charming village west of Edinburgh. You can either loop back the same way or arrange transport from the endpoint if you prefer a one-way run. Depending on your pace, the run should take 1 hour 40 minutes (brisk walk) or 44 minutes (running at 8.5 min/mile). It’s a great mid-distance route that fits nicely into a lunch break or early evening slot. Whether you're chasing a personal best or just clearing your head, this route is a brilliant way to move, explore, and enjoy the best of Edinburgh Park.