Leadburn Community Woodland

What it’s like

Free woodland walking along old railway lines, past restored bogs and ponds, on the edge of West Linton.

This is a proper stretch-your-legs woodland, native trees, restored bogs and ponds, and a network of disused railway lines that make for flat, easy walking. The old railway paths are the main draw if you've got a buggy or little legs that tire fast, since the ground either side gets boggy and tricky pretty quickly once you step off them.

There's no admission charge, which makes it an easy one to add to a day out without thinking too hard about it. Bring wellies rather than trainers if it's been raining, and don't count on cycling far off the main lines, the site doesn't encourage bikes away from those paths, so it's really a walking and exploring visit rather than a scooter-and-bike one.

Parking is free at a layby about a kilometre south of Leadburn village on the A703, and it's an easy stop if you're already heading along that road, 12 miles from Edinburgh and 4 miles from Penicuik. Dogs are welcome if kept under control, though you'll want to be tidy about droppings given the ponds and wildlife nearby.

There isn't a visitor centre or café here.

Facilities

Need to know

Parking

Free parking at layby 1 km south of Leadburn village on A703

Dogs

Welcome. Owners must keep under good control, respect other users and wildlife, and remove droppings

Getting there by bus or train

12 miles south of Edinburgh, 4 miles south of Penicuik

• Ground off the main paths gets genuinely boggy, wellies are a good shout
• No café or visitor centre on site, so it's a walk rather than a day out on its own
• The old railway lines are the easiest and flattest routes through

Plan your visit

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