The rolling Pentland Hills run southwest for some twenty miles, from the outskirts of Edinburgh towards the Scottish Borders, and provide some remarkable walking and great wildlife – as well as some exquisite views over Edinburgh. The most popular route begins at Flotterstone Ranger Centre and climbs to the Pentlands highest point of Scald Law, descending via the attractive Glencorse Reservoir. However, an equally alluring route leaves from Midlothian Ski Centre and climbs over the hills of Caerketton, Allermuir, and Capelaw – each providing sumptuous views across Edinburgh and East Lothian. The descent returns to Midlothian Ski Centre through some extremely attractive countryside. There are excellent paths throughout, although the moorland around Capelaw is featureless apart from the path and could be tricky in mist. Golden Plover, lapwing, skylarks, roe deer and brown hare are just some of the wildlife that can be seen en route.
[1] Facing the Midlothian Ski Centre car park (NT249670), turn right and walk along a grassy path to a steep flight of wooden steps. Climb up and turn left then right to ascend a broad, grassy path. At a fork in the path, go right and up a narrow path, which passes in-between two grassy knolls. Then turn right and immediately bear left over a small rise, where the path descends quite steeply to a gate. Go through it, then climb the steep path along a fence to reach the summit of Caerketton (NT236663).
Here, there are breathtaking views across the Firth of Forth towards Fife and the conspicuous peaks of East and West Lomond.
[2] From Caerketton, continue west enjoying a lovely high-level walk along an obvious path with great views of other Pentland Peaks, such as Scald Law and Carnethy Hill. A few short ascents and descents eventually brings you to a gradual climb over rugged moorland onto Allemuir’s 1,617ft/493-metre summit (NT227662).
The extensive views reach along the East Lothian coastline to North Berwick Law.
[3] From the top of Allermuir, go through a gate and then descend west, following a path that turns left and drops away steeply to a fork. Bear right to walk over moorland and across a broad track to reach a stile at a gate. Cross over and take the left fork to climb the rounded slopes of Capelaw Hill. A wide path continues steadily over featureless moorland and just before the summit, fork right onto an indistinct path to reach the large metal post at the top of Capelaw Hill (NT216659).
[4] Descend north from the summit along an obvious moorland track to meet with a well-worn path. Turn left and continue downhill along it, traversing Capelaw to a gate. Go through and follow a broad, grassy path towards a forestry plantation. Just before reaching it, turn right down to a fork in the path. Go right, descending gently past a small wood to reach a stone hut. Turn left onto a track, cross the narrow Howden Burn (NT222672) and continue to a gate. Go through and continue to another fork in the path and bear right. Go through another gate, cross another burn and walk by some small pockets of woodland to a wooden gate.
[5] Follow the single-track road beyond the gate, which follows the edge of a golf course to reach Swanston Steadings (NT239675). Pass through the courtyard and turn right at a road junction, climbing gradually along the road through Swanston to another single-track road. Turn left and continue to the road’s end. At a Scottish Rights of Way sign, turn left and walk along the path through the golf course to reach the clubhouse. Bear left onto a pavement and descend to the A702. Turn right and walk along the pavement past The Steading restaurant, then turn right to return to the Midlothian Ski Centre car park.