Scotland is home to plenty of beautiful landscapes, from historical architecture and ruins to lochs, munros, forests, and waterfalls.
And in Edinburgh, for both residents and visitors, there are plenty of ways to ensure you get your steps in.
But if you're craving something other than an urban sprawl, and you've already conquered Arthur's Seat, there are many spots near the city which are just waiting to be explored.
If you're close to Edinburgh, here are 13 woodland trails spotted around the Central Belt that we recommend.
9. Selm Muir
The Woodland Trust describes it as a “woodland comprising of mature Scots pines surrounded by younger spruce trees in this working forest, with scatterings of rowan, birch and willow.” You can drive to Selm Muir from Edinburgh in around 44 minutes. | © Stan Grove
10. Dean Plantation
According to Forestry and Land Scotland: “This long-established forest is an attractive mix of conifers and broadleaved woodland. It’s a great place for a walk, and you can get here straight from town along the West Fife Cycle Way.” | via WikiCommons
11. Blairadam
The Fife Walking website tells us: “The forest is centred around the Blairadam House and was a designed landscape in the 1700s. Nowadays it is a commercial forest managed by Forestry and Land Scotland, although the house and estate parkland is still clear of forestry.” | via WikiCommons
12. Devilla
This is a Forestry and Land Scotland commercial site to the north/east of Kincardine. Here, you can find the Red Squirrel Trail. According to Forestry and Land Scotland: “The Scots Pine trees of Devilla are a perfect habitat for red squirrels.” | alanfin from Getty Images