Blackford Hill and The HermitageAnytime Orienteering

Course Type: Permanent & Virtual

Terrain type: Parkland & Woodland

Location Info

Near: Morningside
Lat,Lng: 55.91976,-3.20113
OS Grid Ref: NT250703
Postcode: EH10 6DA
What3Words: ///tonic.wires.grab

Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap - OpenStreetMap - AppleMaps - BingMap

Directions / Parking

Start and Finish are adjacent to the Hermitage Visitor centre accessed from Braid Road

Overview

Managed by the City of Edinburgh Council, this area offers a surprising variety very close to the city centre. The Royal Observatory is situated on the hill and there are panoramic views in all directions. The whole area is a Local Nature Reserve and has a good network of paths. The map has now been extended to the south to include part of the old golf course.

More information can be found here
https://www.edinburghoutdoors....

Map / Terrain Details

Blackford Hill itself has open grassland on the top, with steep craggy slopes to the north, west and south, mostly gorse-covered but with some ways through.

The Hermitage of Braid, by contrast, is a wooded river valley, damp in places.

MapRun Directory Path

In the MapRun app, click on Select Event then navigate to:
UK->Scotland->Edinburgh->Blackford Hill
Then select the Course you want (See below). Click on Go to Start to see map on your phone

Course Information

Virtual Orienteering Courses (VOCs), using the Permanent Orienteering Course (POC) posts, are available as MapRun courses on a smartphone.

POC Course 1

1km long, 10m climb, 6 controls.
A simple course for beginners and families with young children.
Download Course 1 map

POC Course 2

2km long, 80m climb, 12 controls.
Almost twice as long as course 1 with some steep paths that can be muddy. Not all controls are on paths.
Download Course 2 map

POC Course 3

3.9km long, 175m climb, 15 controls.
This course needs more careful navigation and map reading, as the straight line between controls may not always be the quickest route.
Download Course 3 map

POC Course 4

4.3km long, 255m climb, 15 controls.
This course has been planned to present a demanding physical and navigational challenge for more experienced orienteers.
Download Course 4 map

POC Course 5, Scatter

15 controls, any order.
Make up your own course!
Download Scatter Course map

Maps packs (paper or digital) can be obtained by emailing ESOC. Donations will be welcome via online banking (details on request).

Safety Notes

Participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety whilst using the course.

The Braid Burn runs through the area. It can become very dangerous when in spate and should only be crossed at the bridges.

Avoid the steep slopes above the burn on both sides.

Courses are planned to avoid dangerous crags, but take great care at all times.

The area is very popular with dog walkers so you can expect to meet some of these.

Nearest A&E Hospital

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (A&E), 51 Little France Crescent EH16 4SA
NHS Urgent care search