Carlops is a region nestled beneath the Pentland Hills in Scotland, offering diverse landscapes ideal for outdoor pursuits. The area features rolling hills, the picturesque North Esk Reservoir, and the winding River North Esk, providing varied terrain for exploration. This natural setting supports several sports like jogging, hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, and more. The blend of tranquil natural features and accessible trails makes Carlops a notable destination for outdoor activities.
Carlops provides more than…
70
Routes
4.4
(58)
Average rating
825
People visited

3.0
(1)
16
runners
13.1km
01:54
390m
390m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

33
runners
8.16km
01:06
270m
270m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
22
runners
19.1km
02:20
440m
440m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

19
runners
7.47km
00:55
200m
200m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

3.0
(1)
3
hikers
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.8
(9)
86
hikers
7.59km
02:14
200m
200m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
13
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.5
(4)
12
hikers
11.5km
03:20
290m
290m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

63
riders
53.8km
02:32
420m
420m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

56
riders
48.5km
02:14
440m
440m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

26
riders
25.4km
01:06
180m
190m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

10
riders
92.5km
04:23
770m
770m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.3
(3)
24
riders
27.0km
02:07
370m
370m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.5
(4)
22
riders
25.9km
01:33
240m
240m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
12
riders
19.5km
01:55
420m
420m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
11
riders
29.5km
02:39
490m
490m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.0
(1)
9
riders
43.3km
02:51
420m
420m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
33.3km
01:58
230m
230m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
49.7km
03:04
390m
390m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
64.6km
03:57
540m
540m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

10
riders
43.8km
03:16
640m
640m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
15
riders
43.4km
02:47
490m
490m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
3
riders
26.6km
02:09
490m
480m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

3
riders
33.0km
02:33
510m
510m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Carlops, located in the Pentland Hills, offers a variety of outdoor activities including jogging, hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking. The region features more than 30 routes across these sports, catering to different experience levels. These activities take place amidst rolling hills, the North Esk Reservoir, and the River North Esk.
Carlops provides several jogging routes, often featuring undulating terrain and grassland. Popular options include loops around the North Esk Reservoir. For detailed information on routes, consult the Running Trails around Carlops guide.
Yes, Carlops offers challenging hiking trails, particularly in the Pentland Hills Regional Park. Ascents of hills like The Mount (1,765 feet / 538 meters) and Wether Law (1,703 feet / 519 meters) provide rewarding views. The North Esk Reservoir, The Mount & East Cairn Hill loop is a demanding option for experienced hikers.
Mountain biking trails in Carlops traverse rolling hills and reservoirs, with options ranging from moderate to advanced. The "Listonshiels to Carlops" trail is a 6-mile (10 km) red difficulty mixed trail with a significant climb. The "Carlops Loop" is another route, covering 25.6 miles (41.2 km) with notable elevation changes, featuring both paved and unpaved surfaces. More details are in the MTB Trails around Carlops guide.
Carlops offers easy hiking routes, including gentle riverside walks and paths around the North Esk Reservoir. These routes are suitable for those seeking less strenuous options. The Easy hikes around Carlops guide provides specific recommendations.
Carlops features several notable natural landmarks. These include the distinctive Witches' Leap (Carlins Lowp) rock formation, Peggy's Pool waterfall, and Habbie's Howe with its scenic folds and woodlands. The North Esk Reservoir and the winding River North Esk also contribute to the area's natural beauty.
Carlops is accessible via public transport, offering an escape into nature without needing a car for many local walks. Specific hiking routes that start from bus stations are detailed in the Hikes from bus stations around Carlops guide.
Komoot offers several guides for Carlops, covering various activities and difficulty levels. These include Running Trails around Carlops, Hiking around Carlops, MTB Trails around Carlops, and Family-friendly hikes around Carlops. Guides for road cycling, gravel biking, and traffic-free bike rides are also available.
Carlops routes are highly regarded on komoot, with more than 43,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes have an average rating of 4.66 out of 5 stars. This indicates a strong community appreciation for the outdoor activities available in the region.
Carlops offers family-friendly activities, particularly easy walks and specific hiking routes designed for families. These routes allow for exploration of the region's natural beauty in a suitable manner for all ages. The Family-friendly hikes around Carlops guide provides relevant options.
Carlops has local establishments that may offer food and accommodation. The Allan Ramsay Inn and The Steading are known local venues. Visitors can inquire directly with these establishments for current services.
Near Carlops, within the Pentland Hills, several hills offer rewarding ascents. These include The Mount (1,765 feet / 538 meters), Wether Law (1,703 feet / 519 meters), Fairliehope Hill (1,526 feet / 465 meters), and Patie's Hill (1,640 feet / 500 meters). These provide varied terrain and views across the region.
The official community website for the region is www.carlops.net. For general inquiries, an email address (lesmorss@carlops.net) is provided. For specific hall bookings, contact Tim Wilcock at 0755274430 or Alex Hazlewood at 0131 610980.

