Silverknowes Beach – Cramond Island Causeway loop from Muirhouse

Hiking trails & Routes

Silverknowes Beach – Cramond Island Causeway loop from Muirhouse

Moderate

hikers

Silverknowes Beach – Cramond Island Causeway loop from Muirhouse

02:23

8.98km

90m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 17, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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2.72 km

Silverknowes Beach

Highlight • Viewpoint

Beautiful Beach with wide views

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4.99 km

A fairly small excavation of a Roman barracks. This formed part of a large Roman Fort dating from ~140AD.
There is also a display with drawings of the Fort. It is free to visit and is just outside the church.

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5.24 km

Cramond Bistro

Highlight • Cafe

5.40 km

Cramond Island Causeway

Highlight • Bridge

Cramond Island is a deserted island with a few ruins and bunkers from the Second World War. At low tide, the island can be reached over a narrow and low concrete causeway in a four-hour window, two hours before and two hours after low tide. The path is about 1.6 kilometres (one mile) long and passes concrete piers dating from the Second World War, built to protect against torpedoes and ships. The times when the path to the island is open are posted at the start of the path and are also published on the internet: queensferrylifeboat.co.uk/cramond-tides

At high tide, the water rises so high that you can only leave the island by swimming or waiting up to eight hours for the causeway to be open again. If you do decide to swim, be aware of the current, the low water temperature and the relatively long distance.

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5.57 km

Cramond Beach and View of Cramond Island

Highlight • Viewpoint

When the tide is out you can walk over to Cramond island. Be sure you know the tide timetable as quite a few people have been stranded there once the tide comes in.

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