Only in Scotland could you hill walk in the middle of a city, up a heather-lined trail to the distant sound of bagpipes. I am, of course, talking about Edinburgh’s own ancient volcano, Arthur’s Seat. It’s easy to see why the walk to Arthur’s Seat is so popular with locals and tourists alike. Dramatic craggy cliffs and stunning views over the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh and the Lothians, and towards the North Sea. Go for a leisurely stroll around Holyrood Park or scramble to the summit of the city’s highest peak.
In this Arthur’s Seat Walking Guide, I will share some basic information, directions to the trailhead, my experience climbing Arthur’s Seat, and some helpful tips to make planning your walk as easy and stress-free as possible.
What Is Arthur’s Seat?
Arthur’s Seat is a 350-million-year-old extinct volcano and the highest point in Holyrood Park, a short walk from the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is 251 metres high (823 ft) and provides spectacular panoramic views of Scotland’s capital city from above.
As well as Arthur’s Seat, the 650-acre Holyrood Park also contains many walking routes, ancient ruins, lochs, and the 45.7 metre (150 ft) Salisbury Crags.
Arthur’s Seat Walk Details
- Walk Distance: This walk from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags is under 3 miles (4.8 km). There is a choice of routes of varying lengths and difficulties.
- Walk Duration: I took around 3 hours to complete the walk to Arthur’s Seat. This includes lengthy stops and lots of photos. You could easily walk this route in less than 2 hours. Although, I strongly recommend taking it slow to enjoy your time in the area.
- Walk Difficulty: The walk to Arthur’s Seat is generally considered moderately challenging.
- Elevation Gain: This depends on your chosen route. Expect roughly 853 ft (260 metres).
Here is a link to the Arthur’s Seat Walking Route Map
How To Get To The Arthur’s Seat Walk Trailhead
You can walk to Holyrood Park from Princes Street in under 30 minutes. Edinburgh is a beautiful city which is best seen on foot. Consider combining your visit to Arthur’s Seat with a walk down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle.
I wouldn’t recommend bringing your car. There are regular road closures in the area due to events. If you choose to drive anyway, there’s a car park on Queen’s Drive near the Scottish Parliament. You may also be able to find parking near the lochs around Holyrood Park.
I’ve attached a map below showing the location of the Arthur’s Seat walk trailhead so you can plan your route.
Things To Know Before Climbing Arthur’s Seat
To experienced hillwalkers and those with good fitness, Arthur’s Seat won’t provide much of a challenge. However, don’t underestimate the walk by showing up unprepared.
- Wear good walking shoes or hiking boots when walking to Arthur’s Seat. The ground is uneven, and it can get very slippery, especially on rainy days.
- Bring layers, no matter the weather conditions. The hill isn’t very high, but it does get windy at the summit. Remember to pack a waterproof jacket.
- Make sure to carry plenty of water and snacks. If you have a refillable water bottle, there are free refill stations around the city – no need to buy plastic bottled water.
- Check the weather before climbing Arthur’s Seat. If you’re hoping for a good view of Edinburgh and the Firth Of Forth, hiking in the rain or poor visibility won’t make much sense.
- Always practice leave no trace ethics. Leave things as they are, and do not drop any rubbish. Carry your litter back to the bins near the start of the walk.
My Experience Climbing Arthur’s Seat
I should have been standing on the summit of Goatfell on the Isle of Arran. But, due to Calmac ferry cancellations, that didn’t happen. Luckily, I had a plan B… Arthur’s Seat.
Starting my walk on the Royal Mile was a bit of a race against time. More accurately, it was a race against a Scottish Independence parade in the direction I was heading. Roads closed, barriers up and crowds forming by the roadside. As I didn’t particularly want to get stuck until the demonstrators passed, I rushed the mile to get straight to the trailhead on Queen’s Drive near the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament.
At the start of the walking trail to Arthur’s Seat, there’s an ice cream van. Perhaps you could consider that a reward for completing your climb to the top as it wouldn’t be the best idea to fill up on junk before the adventure ahead! From here, a concrete path leads up a gentle slope going left and towards the back of the Salisbury Crags.
Soon enough, the trail forks. Take a left off the concrete path and onto a dusty dirt trail which leads towards the 15th-century ruins of St. Anthony’s Chapel. By now, you’ll be able to see Arthur’s Seat clearly.
If you’d like a short detour, a path leads to St. Anthony’s Chapel. You’ll also get a nice look at St Margaret’s Loch. I didn’t spend much time at the chapel, paying only a flying visit to the ruins before getting back on track.
After St. Anthony’s Chapel, the stone-covered gravel trail eventually turns to stairs leading past heather shrubs and towards a reasonably flat resting spot. Even if you don’t feel like you need a break, it’s worth stopping to look back in the direction you came for the view across Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth. Dunsapie Loch is also visible.
The next part of the walk to Arthur’s Seat was a memorable experience. The dirt trail turns to a stone path, again lined with heather. Lucky timing made walking this section even more enjoyable. In the distance, I could hear bagpipes, a firm reminder that although Holyrood Park felt like a countryside location, the city of Edinburgh was only a stone’s throw away. The bagpipes were also a welcome motivator to keep marching uphill.
As you approach the top, the path becomes steep and rocky. Use your hands for the final scramble if you need to. Just be aware that you’re not alone, and I’m not talking about the crowd of tourists fighting for a selfie at the trig point…
I’m talking about the flying ants that have settled on the summit. They’re everywhere! The ground moves. The air around you moves. Open your mouth too long, and you’ll swallow a few!
However, don’t let the extinct volcano’s tiny inhabitants put you off, as I’m sure you’ll agree, the scenery from up top makes it all worthwhile.
When you’re done on the summit of Arthur’s Seat, you can go back down the way you came or choose an alternative route. I backtracked until I found an easy path to the left, which led around the hill. This route was a gentle decline and led to the start of the walk along Salisbury Crags.
If you continue your walk in Holyrood Park by skimming the crags, stick to the trail and don’t get too close to the edge! Unfortunately, I witnessed a few irresponsible people along the way… A person sitting on the cliff edge with their back to the drop. Not the best idea! People were walking backwards, holding their phones up for selfies. Really? I also saw a pair of teens finding it amusing to drop boulders and throw stones blindly. The Radical Road footpath around the bottom of Salisbury Crags is closed, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to drop heavy objects without first looking down (or ever). Don’t be that person!
Stupid people aside, the view from the top of Salisbury Crags (in my opinion) is better than from the top of Arthur’s Seat. It’s high enough to see across the city and has no obstructions other than the cliff itself, depending on how far along you are. If you’re a photographer, you’ll have some fun trying to include parts of the crag in your photos of Edinburgh from above.
Don’t forget to look back towards Arthur’s Seat…
From Salisbury Crags, getting back to Queen’s Drive is easy. Follow the trail until you reach the concrete path where the walk began.
You won’t get lost during this walk, as all the prominent points are visible for the duration.
Now you can have that ice cream!
Other Helpful Information
How much does it cost to go to Arthur’s Seat?
Holyrood Park is free to enter and open 24/7 all year round. Walking to Arthur’s Seat won’t cost you a penny and is one of the best free things to do in Edinburgh.
Can kids walk to Arthur’s Seat?
Kids can climb Arthur’s Seat. They won’t struggle too much and will be rewarded with a sense of achievement when they reach the top. Use common sense and keep your little ones within sight at all times.
This walk is NOT suitable for buggies or prams.
Can dogs go up Arthur’s Seat?
Holyrood Park is dog-friendly and perfect for walks, provided you keep your dog under control and clean up any mess.
Does Arthur’s Seat have toilets?
For obvious reasons, there are no public toilets on top of the hill or in the immediate area. If you need to use the throne (hehe), there are customer toilets in The Cafe At The Palace.
Can you camp on Arthur’s Seat?
Camping and overnight parking is NOT permitted anywhere in Holyrood Park. No fires or BBQs either.
Is Arthur’s Seat busy?
The top of Arthur’s Seat gets very busy during the summer months. Try going early in the morning or off-season to avoid the crowds.
Here Are More Walks In Scotland For You To Consider…
Loch Doon Via Dalcairney Falls And Ness Glen
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