Harlaw Reservoir Woodland Walk
Edinburgh
Harlaw Reservoir sits on the edge of the Pentland Hills Regional Park, a short walk from Balerno on the western fringe of Edinburgh. Dogs get a woodland path with glimpses of the water for much of the loop, though the reservoir itself is for drinking water, not swimming. This 3.5km circular starts at Harlaw House visitor centre and follows a flat, easy route around the reservoir: a woodland path on one side giving views of the water through the trees, and a tarmac vehicle track on the return. Turnhouse Hill, Black Hill and West Kip are all visible in the distance from the more open stretches. For a longer outing, a path continues past Black Springs to Threipmuir Reservoir before looping back onto the woodland walk, adding a further stretch of open hill and water. The going throughout is level and well surfaced.
This dog friendly walk is a good choice for an easy outing, with a mostly flat, well-surfaced path and water alongside for much of the route. Dogs can be let off lead through the woodland stretch, though sheep graze parts of the wider Pentland Hills, so keep control near open hillside, especially if you extend towards Threipmuir. The reservoir gives dogs a good look at water and wildfowl, though swimming access is limited since it supplies drinking water. The tarmac section shares space with cyclists and the occasional vehicle, so keep dogs close there. Harlaw House has a wheelchair-accessible wildlife garden, though no cafe or toilets are confirmed on site. Parking at Harlaw House is free.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.5 km (2.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Reservoir
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Wildlife garden at Harlaw House visitor centre; no cafe or toilets confirmed on site.
- Parking
- Harlaw House car park, Pentland Hills Regional Park, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Harlaw Reservoir Woodland Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Byre At Brothershiels
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £673 / 7 nights
Greenbank Farm Cottage
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £572 / 7 nights
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harlaw Reservoir Woodland Walk dog friendly?
Harlaw Reservoir Woodland Walk is a solid choice for dogs, earning a 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The route is flat and well-surfaced throughout, making it an easy outing, and the woodland stretch gives dogs plenty of room to enjoy the surroundings. The reservoir is a drinking water supply, so swimming access is limited, but dogs will still get good views of the water and wildfowl along the way.
Can dogs be off lead at Harlaw Reservoir Woodland Walk?
Dogs can be let off lead through the woodland section of the walk, which makes up a good portion of the 3.5km loop. If you extend the route towards Threipmuir Reservoir, be aware that sheep graze parts of the wider Pentland Hills, so leads are advisable near open hillside. The tarmac return track is also shared with cyclists and the occasional vehicle, so it's worth keeping dogs close on that stretch.
What should I know before visiting Harlaw Reservoir Woodland Walk with my dog?
The walk starts at Harlaw House visitor centre, where parking is free, and follows a straightforward circular route around the reservoir. There's no cafe or toilets confirmed on site, so it's worth coming prepared with water and snacks for both you and your dog. The reservoir itself is off-limits for swimming as it supplies drinking water, but the route is otherwise very manageable, and you can extend the outing via Black Springs to Threipmuir Reservoir if you fancy a longer day out.
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