Trails on Easter Craiglockhart Hill
The Happy Valley Trail
The easy route on relatively smooth and firm paths take you from the Welcome Garden through the valley woods to the marsh area and the pond. You can see and hear many woodland birds, and meet the ducks and the resident pair of swans. You can pause to admire the wildlife and maybe feed the ducks, either at the stone crescent or from the over-water platform. Remember – ducks and swans should not be fed white bread!
Follow the blue waymarkers along the historic Happy Valley. The route takes you from the old curling rink, through woodland, to the original boating pond that has now been reclaimed by the water birds. There are plenty of places to sit, rest, and admire the scenery.
The Woodland Trail
This pleasant walking route takes you through mature woodland to the hilltop and back down again, beginning and ending by the pond. it can be done by the hale and hearty in 30 minutes, but it is better to allow at least an hour to complete it without rushing, so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.
Follow the green waymarkers along this circular route, which includes all the main natural habitats of the LNR: woodland, grassland, marsh and pond. Some sections are steep stepped paths. Some sections cross upland meadow with no path markings. Some paths can get muddy after damp weather.
The War Poets Trail
Napier University’s Craiglockhart Campus was originally constructed in 1880 as a hydropathic establishment, offering water treatments, rest and relaxation to the wealthy. Between 1916–1919 the building was requisitioned by the War Office for use as a hospital for officers suffering from neurasthenia, or shell-shock.
Walks through the Craiglockhart hills were a popular way of exercising and relaxing for the shell-shocked soldiers who were treated here. The peace and serenity of the hills may have served in some small way as an antidote to the horrors of the trenches. The poems of Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon often reflect these contrasts. The War Poets Trail follows paths that the soldiers would have walked and links three sites where the community of Craiglockhart has honoured their service and sacrifice.
The Walk Where You Want Trail!
Easter Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature Reserve is open to everyone who respects nature and wants to enjoy the freedom and health benefits of being in the outdoors.
You are welcome to wander anywhere you like within the LNR, but we ask you to stay on the existing footpaths and trails in the wooded areas so that the wild creatures and plants don’t get trampled. Also, the reserve area is bordered on all sides by private property, so please be careful not to annoy our neighbours.
Dogs can be walked anywhere in the area, but please be respectful of others, pick up their poo and take it away with you, and keep your dog under control at all time. Dogs must be on a lead when walking round the pond, so as not to frighten the many birds and other wildlife. This is especially important in the Spring, when there are chicks, ducklings and other young animals around.