Edinburgh Pentland Hills Hike: Discover Scottish Highlands and Nature

Embark on a must-do hiking tour in the stunning Pentland Hills, just outside of Edinburgh. Discover the beauty of the Scottish Highlands and immerse yourself in nature. Learn about flora, fauna, geology, and Scottish history while enjoying breathtaking views of Edinburgh and the surrounding region. Don’t miss the chance to spot the elusive Highland Cows on this unforgettable adventure!

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Pentland Hills - The Pentland Hills Regional Park spans 90 km² (35 sq miles). With 100 km (62.13 miles) of marked trails and numerous unmarked paths, 14 peaks ranging from 473m to 579m (1617 ft to 1900 ft), and 13 reservoirs, there are plenty of options for both challenging hikes at higher elevations and easier walks at lower levels.
  • **Pentland…
What's Included
  • Light snacks (Energy Bars & Crisps) and a bottle of water included
  • ALL DAY BUS TICKET provided, usable till midnight
Additional Information

This is a must-do hiking tour in the most beautiful hill range that forms part of Edinburgh. Experience the essence of the Scottish Highlands and discover breathtaking Scottish nature just outside the capital city! If you are a nature enthusiast and wish to explore the true beauty of Edinburgh and the renowned Pentland Hills, this is the perfect hiking…

Location
King's Theatre
Leven Street
We will meet in front of King's Theatre (2 Leven St, Edinburgh EH3 9LQ) very close to city center. We will take a local bus (a very short journey) from there to the foot hills of Pentland. All Day Bus Ticket will be provided to you at the beginning which is included within this tour.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(158 Ratings)
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Sdhardin
Oct 19, 2025
Don’t miss this unique Scotland hiking experience! - Rishi was a wonderful naturalist and guide on our hike in the Pentlands Highly recommend this unique experience of Edinburgh!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dovercj
Oct 12, 2025
Great day with Rishi - Wonderful views and exactly as it is described in the description. We had the most beautiful weather possible for Oct in Scotland . Very knowledgeable guide with lots of interesting facts. Great snacks.
Review provided by Viator
Deont
Oct 10, 2025
Magical Time in Nature!!! - Rishi is a wonderful guide with deep knowledge of Scotland, the countryside and all it has to offer. His passion for nature and all things natural contributed to very pleasant and memorable day's outing. Rishi is very generous and literally spoiled us on the hike with bottled water, savoury snacks and sweet treats. He even paid for our bus tickets from the meeting point and the return journey. The ticket was free to use for the entire day - even after the hike. Rishi was extremely patient and did not rush the hike. He took care of each guest and made plenty stops for us to "catch our breath". The route he took us on offered breathtaking views of Edinburgh and beyond. I will definitely recommend taking a nature hike with Rishi. Thank you for a magical day in nature, Rishi!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aaroncowell
Sep 18, 2025
Fabulous day! - Fabulous day with Rishi. My wife and I are in our 60s and I have a bad knee. Hike is long with an elevation gain that made it a challenge for us. Rishi moved at our pace and provided lots of interesting information. Highly recommend if you want to see more of Scotland than tourist shops.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H974fhjuliev
Sep 15, 2025
Hill and nature hike - Rishi immediately makes you feel comfortable. He is very knowledgeable about the area and history of Scotland. It was a joy to learn as we hiked and the view was wonderful. Overall, this is a fantastic experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
401brucer
Sep 14, 2025
beutiful walk - very nice walk through a highland area near Edinburgh with an informative guide named Rishi. He was knowleable of the area and very accomodating even with snacks for my gluten free diet. if you like hiking and nice views and senery i would recomend highly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sharon_s
Sep 10, 2025
Half Day hike in the Pentland Hills - Our hike with Rishi the highlight of our time in Edinburgh. It started with a short bus ride to the outskirts of Edinburgh. After leaving the bus, we had a short walk to the start of our hike (with a pit stop at a bathroom). Almost immediately we got a close up photo op with hairy coos/highland cows. We began our hike from there and the first hour was decently challenging. My husband and I (both 36 and in decent shape, but from relatively flat Texas) were both breathing pretty heavily, but Rishi was patient and always happy to make small stops to discuss the local geography/history/ecology of the area. Our hike was taking us to Allermuir Peak and while it was definitely a workout, the views from the top where well worth the journey! We made small descent and took a well earned rest while Rishi continued to be an excellent guide and discussed the area. He also provided water, granola/energy bars and crisps/chips. We then continued our descent passing through different terrain. On our journey we saw more hairy coos, sheep, deer and a variety of birds. Our hike took about 3.5 hours, but total time out of Edinburgh city was about 4.5 (bus ride to and from accounts for the hour). Rishi also included the bus fare from start to finish and it was a full day pass so we utilized it for the rest of the day. This was truly a wonderful hike, though it was definitely not an easy hike. If you are looking for an activity to give you a break from the city and take in the beautiful scenery of Scotland this is a great option.
Review provided by Viator
408courtneyg
Sep 10, 2025
Excellent Half-Day hike in the Pentland Hills - Our hike with Rishi the highlight of our time in Edinburgh. It started with a short bus ride to the outskirts of Edinburgh. After leaving the bus, we had a short walk to the start of our hike (with a pit stop at a bathroom). Almost immediately we got a close up photo op with hairy coos/highland cows. We began our hike from there and the first hour was decently challenging. My husband and I (both 36 and in decent shape, but from relatively flat Texas) were both breathing pretty heavily, but Rishi was patient and always happy to make small stops to discuss the local geography/history/ecology of the area. Our hike was taking us to Allermuir Peak and while it was definitely a workout, the views from the top where well worth the journey! We made small descent and took a well earned rest while Rishi continued to be an excellent guide and discussed the area. He also provided water, granola/energy bars and crisps/chips. We then continued our descent passing through different terrain. On our journey we saw more hairy coos, sheep, deer and a variety of birds. Our hike took about 3.5 hours, but total time out of Edinburgh city was about 4.5 (bus ride to and from accounts for the hour). Rishi also included the bus fare from start to finish and it was a full day pass so we utilized it for the rest of the day. This was truly a wonderful hike, though it was definitely not an easy hike. If you are looking for an activity to give you a break from the city and take in the beautiful scenery of Scotland this is a great option.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Theothertanya
Sep 10, 2025
A real treat when in Edinburgh - I loved seeing the coos and the magnificent views of Edinburgh. Most of the effort in the hike is at the beginning, so do eat a good breakfast and bring water. Rishi is a fantastic guide - so knowledgable, kind and well-prepared. Our little group had a wonderful time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travelgal999
Sep 6, 2025
Amazing!!! - I went on Rishi’s Hill and Nature hike in the Pentlands outside of Edinburgh in July 2025. Rishi is an amazing guide who is very knowledgeable, kind, professional, and passionate about what he does. He made each member of the tour feel welcome and comfortable, and the tour was very well organized. The views on the tour were absolutely stunning! I highly recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor