so you've summited Craiglockhart: now you're heading to the Braids...
take the path off the left side and head down into the greenery
go through the gap in the wall and turn sharp right to follow that path downhill
You will arrive here, take a right
then a left onto Greenbank Drive but keep your eyes peeled
about 100 yrds along
for this small lane to the right between houses
turn left at the top
follow to the end of the road
bearing right cross the road to find
this excellent short cut that leads to
a diagonal across the Braidburn Valley over to Comiston Road
across the green stuff up the hill and out where you can find a space
then across the road, up Braid Hills Road then a right onto
Braid Road for a long climb up till on the left you will see another waterstation
and a dirt track turning left and going
back into the greenery. Now pay attention because in about a hundred yards
you wouldn't want to miss this right turn that heads up to the trig point
but not before a fair climb.
At the chair will be a checkpoint - just about 15 yards beyond on the left
is the route off the top - aim roughly for Arthur's Seat. The path is small
and steep in places
taking you across the fairway of a public golf course - please be considerate
Make sure you leave by this path
About 10 yards ahead of Graham and to his left is
this small cut off which will take you
through some shrubbery
(keeping the white roofs in sight)
through some bracken
and out across the road. Take the Lang Linn Path
a pleasant and fast descent towards the Hermitage
This is often the scene of bloodletting
particularly if you head down this first incline and then right towards a vertical slope
however you can head left as you go into the trees then take the right path
which descends rapidly, or if you go further along, more sedately dropping you down
to the riverside walk where you find a bridge on the right
I rather like this abstract impression of the bridge.
Immediately after the bridge climb the slippy dirt slope and head right
and cross this stile aiming for the gate over the other side of the field...
Through that gate turn left and brace yourself for a long stepped climb
up here.
At this point either follow the path round and up or if you require a pick-me-up
wade through the nettles by the fence up to the trig point. Checkpoint and water.
You can see Arthur's Seat but how to get there? Head down the path towards the Observatory
This leads to Observatory Road which you take
passing under this arch and turning left.
A short way down this road cross over and go through the allotment gate
Good tip if its hot: there is a tap at the bottom of these steps...
Bear left
Out the other side
You should emerge onto West Saville Terrace which turns left onto
Mayfield Road
Continue most of the way up to Causewayside until the Old Bell on the RHS
Turn into this street (Duncan Street) and cross straight over Minto St to
Blackett Avenue. Continue to end then turn left onto Dalkeith Road
Some people choose to find a shortcut through the campus there
but this is less popular since they padlocked closed the exit
necessitating a bit of up
and over (watch out for those spikes)
Last hill - but its a big one
Often a waterstation just inside the park. Then its onto these steps for a long march up
on tired legs.
not everyone can hold it together by the summit. Checkpoint
Its never too late for an accident so be careful
the direct line to the far end of Hunter's Bog then head towards the Parliament Building
At Parliament roundabout cross over and take Calton Road
Halfway along is this opening with a nasty gradient up to Regent Road
2nd last climb
Cross Regent Road then right, up the road that climbs behind the Old Royal High School
saving a last sprint (!) up this hill to the finish line and cheering crowd
Free food and drink and bucket and sponge to wash the blood off - quality!If you require any further clarification of route please feel free to get out a map and run it yourself.
7 Hills in question are 1 Castle Esplanade 2 Corstorphine (Clermiston Tower) 3 Easter Craiglockhart Hill 4 Braids Golf Course (top of) 5 Blackford Hill 6 Arthur's Seat Trig Point 7 Calton Hill (Finish)
