A Guide to Hiking Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh
I needed some fresh air. I’d been indoors working at my hotel for the entire day, so once I was able to log off, I was straight outside. Given it was the summer, I knew I had a few hours of daylight to play with so I decided to be bold and set off on a hike at 6pm! Not my usual style, but I needed it.
I had the best time and am so glad I did it. So if you’re planning a hike to Arthur’s Seat, read on to find out everything you need to know.
Overview
- Location: Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland
- Elevation: 251 meters (823 feet)
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours round-trip (depending on route and pace)
- Difficulty: Moderate, with some scrambling to reach the summit
- Accessibility: Not accessible for anyone with mobility constraints
- Best Time to Go: Early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds and better lighting
And fun fact alert, Arthur’s Seat is often cited as one of the possible locations for the legendary Camelot, the castle of King Arthur (hence the name)!
How to hike up to Arthur’s Seat
The base of Arthur’s Seat is a 15 minute walk from Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, a couple of minutes’ round the corner from Holyrood Palace, or you can park in Holyrood Car Park.
1.The Red Route – From Holyrood Palace
- Start Point: Holyrood Palace / Holyrood Car Park
- Time: 60–90 minutes round-trip
- Description: Starts with a steep path leading through grassy slopes and rocky areas. More scenic and popular with first-timers.
- Takes you to the summit.
I recommend taking this path if it’s the first time you’ve hiked the trail. It starts from the car park and is clearly marked. It provides some stunning views and is a moderate hike, but with some steep inclines and some scrambling required at the summit (needed on all summit routes).
This is the route I took up. I set off at the same time as 2 Germans, and 4 Americans. The Germans went speeding ahead of me, and as I neared the summit they were already coming back down. Neither of the American couples made it to the summit and gave up at around the half way point.
Well marked but relatively steep trails up to the summit
2.The Green Route – Dunsapie Loch
- Start Point: Dunsapie Loch
- Time: 30–45 minutes to the summit (quickest, but also steepest route)
- Description: A steep incline with a well-trodden grassy and rocky path. Fitness level needs to be strong to manage the climb. Some scrambling required to reach the summit.
- Takes you to the summit.
I descended down this route and it was very steep. Dunsapie Loch also brings you out on the opposite side of Arthur’s Seat to central Edinburgh, so you then have to walk back round the base (c.30 minutes) to get round again.
3.The Salisbury Crags Path – A Scenic Detour
- Start Point: Holyrood Car Park
- Time: 1 hour, 1.5hrs if combined with Arthur’s Seat
- Description: Walk along the dramatic cliffs of Salisbury Crags before joining a trail to Arthur’s Seat. Offers stunning panoramic views of the city.
- Does not take you to the summit.
This is the longest route around the park and forms a nice gentle stroll around the crags circling Arthur’s Peak Summit. It doesn’t take you to the summit but is a much more moderate walk for those who want the views but not so much of the climb. It can also be combined with the red route to reach the summit if you want.
Top Tips for Hiking Arthur’s Seat
- Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes with good grip (some sections can be slippery). I stupidly climbed in some basic trainers thinking it would be easy, and slid on my backside on a wet patch descending too quickly.
- Clothing: Take layered clothing; weather changes quickly in Edinburgh.
- Water: Essential, particularly in summer.
- Camera/Phone: Make sure it’s fully charged for panoramic city and countryside views.
- Start early or go for sunset: Avoid crowds and enjoy incredible lighting.
- Check weather conditions: Arthur’s Seat can be windy or foggy even when the city is clear. I hiked on a clear, warm, summer’s day and still nearly got blown away couple of times.
- Stay on marked paths: To protect the environment and ensure safety.
- Watch your footing near the summit: It gets rockier and can be steep in parts. I had to scramble quite a bit to the top. Over the years, a few people have fallen to their deaths from the trail; it’s very rare but please do be careful and hike to your abilities.
What do you think of Arthur’s Seat? Would you want to hike it if you were visiting Edinburgh? Let me know in the comments below. And as always, stay safe and happy travelling!
