5 Pram-Friendly Walks in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a fantastic city for exploring on foot, but not every scenic spot is pram-friendly. While climbing up to Arthur’s Seat with a pram is pretty much impossible, the city has plenty of accessible routes where you can enjoy parks, gardens, canals and even the seaside without struggling.

In this blog post, we share five of our favourite pram-friendly walks in Edinburgh. All of these routes are flat or softly sloped, easy to follow and perfect whether you’re visiting with a wee one or just want a relaxed stroll.

Table of Contents

1. Plan Your Walks with Our Map
2. 1. The Meadows to Bruntsfield
3. 2. Inverleith Park to the Royal Botanic Garden
4. 3. Holyrood Park - Queen's Drive Loop
5. 4. Portobello Promenade
6. 5. Union Canal Towpath - Lochrin Basin to Harrison Park

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Plan Your Walks with Our Map

To make it easier to navigate these pram-friendly routes, we’ve created a simple interactive Google Map showing all five walks in one view. Each walk is marked with its suggested starting point, so you can quickly see where to begin and get a sense of the route.

You can click the pins for a short description and open the route in Google Maps on your phone.

Tip: The map shows approximate paths and starting points to help you plan, but always keep an eye out for wee ones near water or roads along the routes.

1. The Meadows to Bruntsfield

📍 Suggested starting point: North end of the Meadows, near George Square

The Meadows is one of Edinburgh’s most popular green spaces, and it’s easy to see why. Just south of the city centre, its wide, flat paths and open grass make it perfect for a pram stroll. One of our favourite ways to enjoy the park is to take a few loops around its paths – it’s simple, flexible and there’s a lot of space for your wee one to toddle about safely.

For a slightly longer walk, head west from the Meadows to the neighbourhood of Bruntsfield, which is full of coffee shops, bakeries and independent shops. It’s the perfect spot to pause for a snack or warm drink.

Highlights to look out for:

• Seasonal cherry blossoms in the springtime make the park especially photogenic

• Lots of green space is perfect for picnics or a quick break

• Playparks on the edges of the park if your toddler wants to stretch their legs

Practical info:

• Several benches are dotted around the Meadows

• Public toilets are available off Middle Meadow Walk, which includes baby changing facilities

• Easy access from the city centre, particularly from Old Town

2. Inverleith Park to the Royal Botanic Garden

📍 Suggested starting point: Inverleith Park main entrance, off Arboretum Road

For a quieter, scenic walk, we love starting at Inverleith Park. The views over the city are beautiful, and you can watch swans, ducks and occasional geese on the pond. From there, it’s an easy, pram-friendly stroll to the Royal Botanic Garden, which is free to enter and perfect for exploring with a stroller.

Depending on where you’re staying, you might choose to explore the Botanics first and then head to Inverleith Park, or the other way around – both are equally lovely.

Looking across the pond at Inverleith Park on a calm day, with Edinburgh’s skyline in the distance.

What makes this walk special:

• Peaceful atmosphere away from the city buzz

• Colourful seasonal blooms, especially in spring and summer

• Opportunities for wildlife spotting, from ducks in the pond to bees in the flowerbeds

Practical info:

• Toilets and cafes available in the Botanics

• Inverleith Park has a play area for children

• Accessible on foot or by bus from New Town or Stockbridge

3. Holyrood Park – Queen's Drive Loop

📍 Suggested starting point: Holyrood Park Road, south side of the park

If you want the views of Arthur’s Seat without the climb, the paved Queen’s Drive loop around Holyrood Park is ideal. The full loop takes about 1.5 hours at a relaxed pace, but you can turn back wherever you like if you or your wee one gets tired.

We usually start at the south side of the park. Walking slowly counterclockwise around the loop, you get panoramic views of the city, Salisbury Crags and Arthur’s Seat without ever having to tackle steep terrain.

Salisbury Crags rising above Holyrood Park, with Edinburgh’s skyline in the distance.

Why it’s great for prams:

• Fully paved path

• Gradual slopes rather than steep climbs

• Panoramic city views without any strenuous hiking

Practical info:

• No cafes or toilets inside the loop, so plan ahead

• If starting at Holyrood Park Road, pop by the Royal Commonwealth Pool to use the toilet and purchase refreshments and a snack before or after your walk

4. Portobello Promenade

📍 Suggested starting point: Portobello Promenade, near Tumbles Gymnastics and Softplay Centre

If you’re in the mood for fresh sea air, Portobello is a lovely option. The wide, flat promenade runs along the beach and is perfect for prams. You can start anywhere along the promenade and walk as far as you’d like – the full stretch takes around 30 minutes to stroll one way at a relaxed pace.

Bright and breezy views along Portobello’s seafront on a sunny day.

Why it’s worth visiting:

• Lovely beach views and open skies

• Calm, family-friendly atmosphere

• Playparks and spots for a quick break

Practical info:

• Cafes and restaurants along the route

• Toilets located at various points along the promenade

• About 30-40 minutes by bus from the city centre

5. Union Canal Towpath – Lochrin Basin to Harrison Park

📍 Suggested starting point: Lochrin Basin, Fountainbridge

For a quiet city walk, the Union Canal towpath is a great option. Flat, paved and mostly traffic-free, it’s ideal for a peaceful stroll with a pram. We usually start at Lochrin Basin, near Old Town, and follow the towpath west toward Harrison Park.

The walk can be short or long – just turn back whenever you like. Along the way, you’ll see canal boats, ducks and plenty of greenery. It’s a surprisingly tranquil spot considering how close it is to the heart of the city.

A calm moment by the Union Canal – it’s hard to believe you’re still in the city centre!

Why it’s pram-friendly:

• Flat and paved the whole way

• Mostly traffic-free, making it safe for wee ones

• Opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the canal scenery

Safety note: Keep an eye on toddlers near the water, as there are no barriers along the canal edge.

Practical info:

• No toilets along the towpath, but cafes and restaurants are available near Lochrin Basin

• Easy access from Old Town

Edinburgh has so many accessible walking options that don’t involve steep hills or rough terrain. From parks and gardens to canals and the seaside, these five pram-friendly walks offer a mix of city views, greenery and peaceful moments.

Do you have a favourite pram-friendly walk in Edinburgh? Let us know in the comments below!

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