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The Red Road, Pentland Hills – North Esk Reservoir loop from Red Moss of Balerno Wildlife Reserve

Routes

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The Red Road, Pentland Hills – North Esk Reservoir loop from Red Moss of Balerno Wildlife Reserve

Moderate

riders

The Red Road, Pentland Hills – North Esk Reservoir loop from Red Moss of Balerno Wildlife Reserve

01:49

17.6km

410m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: July 17, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Pentland Hills Regional Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

96 m

Woodland Path by Threipmuir Reservoir

Highlight (Segment) • Lake

Great path cutting to and from the reservoirs

Tip by

1.99 km

Descent to Bavelaw Path, Pentland Hills Regional Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

2.97 km

The Red Road, Pentland Hills

Highlight • Viewpoint

Re-surfaced section makes this a nice climb (or descent) on a gravel bike or hardtail MTB

Tip by

5.87 km

Green Law

Highlight • Viewpoint

Great views - well worth the climb up (525m)

Tip by

8.09 km

North Esk Hill Climb Challenge

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

VERY Steep gravel climb. Great views over the Reservoir for when you need to stop for a breath

Tip by

8.60 km

North Esk Reservoir

Highlight • Lake

North Esk Reservoir is an easy 5k walk from Carlops village. You can park your car in the village and choose one of the two main paths or do a …

Tip by

16.0 km

Exponential Hill Tree-Lined Avenue

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

This is a great bike section with a nice approach over the bridge and causeway of Threipmuir Reservoir that has great views over each side. Exponential Hill itself is a …

Tip by

17.3 km

Balerno Hill Summit

Highlight • Summit

17.6 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

10.2 km

4.32 km

2.39 km

542 m

101 m

Surfaces

14.5 km

2.32 km

701 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (520 m)

Lowest point (250 m)

Weather

Sunday 6 September

17°C

11°C

89 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 25.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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The Red Road, Pentland Hills – North Esk Reservoir loop from Red Moss of Balerno Wildlife Reserve

Woodland Path by Threipmuir Reservoir

Descent to Bavelaw Path, Pentland Hills Regional Park

The Red Road, Pentland Hills

Green Law

North Esk Hill Climb Challenge

North Esk Reservoir

Exponential Hill Tree-Lined Avenue

Balerno Hill Summit

Nearby routes

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