East Lothian is a ideal haven of beautiful and panoramic networks of routes to walk on, including five blue flag awarded beaches proving that Lothian remains to be one of Scotland’s well kept and cleanest coastlines that are very distinctive and varied, featuring sandy beaches, cliffs, harbours and castles. There are some great walks in and around Aberlady. Maps and information available from reception  

The pleasure grounds of Gosford Estate

Distance 3 miles. Time - depends on how long you wish to remain by the lakes and viewing the buildings 

The gardens to the east of Gosford house are available for the public to walk in. The house and grounds are open from June to August but an annual permit, at a cost of just £5, gives unlimited access to the lakes and woodland walks in this secluded part of the Wemyss estate all year round. There are a number of listed buildings to be seen, including a boathouse, a curling house, ice house and a Mausoleum.

Aberlady to Spittal by public right of way

This linear walk, through woods and by field paths, was the route by which in times past children from Spittal and Lochill walked to school in Aberlady and by which families walked to church.

Gullane to Aberlady by coast and dune paths

Distance 1 3/4 miles. Time - 1 1/2 hours

This longer walk gives superb views across the Firth of Forth and the coastline west of Gullane. The route has been devised to have a minimum impacton the interests of the Gullane golf courses and the local nature reserve at Aberlady Bay.  

Circular walk from Aberlady along country roads and field tracks

Distance 3 1/2 miles. Time - 2 hours

The John Muir Way-Cockenzie to Aberlady

Distance 8 1/2 kilometres

Signposted by green fingerposts. Map available at Duck's.

There are many other routes along the John Muir Way, part of the North Sea Trail . 

The 70 km East Lothian coastline extends from the wonderful birding spot of Levenhall Links west of Aberlady to the spectacular Bass Rock and its unique gannet colony and Dunbar, birth place of that great conservationist John Muir often called the father of America’s National Park system. A series of sandy bays and small estuaries separated by rocky promontories, with low cliffs at the far eastern end, the East Lothian coast, with Ducks in the middle, is tracked by the John Muir Way, a footpath allowing easy access for most of its entire length. There is enough here for the casual and expert wildlife watcher alike. For more information click here

Aberlady Bay

Main walk to the beach and back : 1 and half hours 

The best time to take a relaxing walk around the bay is a dusk or dawn, where in addition to the birds, wild deer can be seen. Paths after the wooden bridge are clear but often muddy and take care with the fast moving tides. Please note that dogs aren’t allowed on the reserve between April and July and at all other times must be kept on the lead.  

Aberlady Bay was designated as Britain's first Local Nature Reserve in 1952 and is managed by East Lothian Council. The Reserve is also part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, due to its botanical, ornithological and geomorphologic significance. The Reserve covers an area of 582 hectares (1,439 acres), of which two-thirds falls below the high-tide mark and consists of tidal sand, mud flats and pioneer salt marsh. For more information click here

Hill walking

Lammermuir Hills 

Stunning views and gentle climbs to the south of East Lothian. Downloadable information and routes can be found at: http://www.visiteastlothian.org/assets/pdfs/Lammermuir.pdf 

Traprain Law

Located  4 miles east of Haddington, it is the perfect gentle climb to view East Lothian at a height.  

North Berwick Law

Located in North Berwick, this volcanic plug is hard to miss and once you have reached the top you will be rewarded by fantastic views across the firth of forth including, The Bass Rock, Fidra, Craigleith and Lamb islands. On top of the law is a huge whale jawbone which in 2005 was replaced by a fiberglass model of the original bone that stood there since 1709.   

Try this web site for more information http://www.visiteastlothian.org/walking.asp