Quick Facts
Arthur's Seat is the main peak of a group of hills in Holyrood Park, the remnant of an extinct volcano about 350 million years old. It rises 251m from the centre of Edinburgh — sometimes likened to a sleeping lion. Famous for sweeping views of Edinburgh, the Pentland Hills, the Forth Estuary and even Fife on a clear day.
- Height: 251m (823 ft)
- Distance: 1.5-4 km depending on route
- Time: 30 min - 2 hours
- Cost: Free
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Open: 24/7 (best in daylight)
Three Hiking Routes
Easy Route — 45 min round trip
Start at the Scottish Parliament/Holyrood Palace entrance. Follow Volunteers Walk path heading SE. Curve around to Dunsapie Loch then up to summit from the east. Gentlest gradient.
Medium Route — 60 min round trip
Start at the same entrance. Take the path heading south past the dramatic Salisbury Crags first, then ascend Arthur's Seat from the south. Best variety of scenery.
Hard Route — 90-120 min round trip
Direct ascent from the west side near Holyrood Palace via the steep "Crow Hill" path. Steeper, more rugged. Bypass the easy paths and head straight up.
What to Bring
- Waterproof jacket (essential — weather changes fast)
- Comfortable shoes with grip — trails muddy after rain
- Water (1 litre per person)
- Phone with charged battery
- Layers — windy at the top even on warm days
- Light snack
Best Time to Hike
- Sunrise (~5am summer) — empty trails, golden light, magical
- 1-2 hours before sunset — popular for sunset photos at top
- Mid-morning weekdays — quietest in summer
- Avoid: peak August Fringe afternoons; weekend midday
- Winter: beautiful with snow but check conditions; daylight 9am-3:30pm in December
Safety Tips
- Stay on marked paths — fatal falls happen yearly off the cliffs
- Don't climb when wet — sandstone gets very slippery
- Tell someone where you're going if hiking alone
- Mobile signal patchy in places
- No facilities at the top — toilets at the start near the palace
- Dogs allowed but on leash near sheep