Arthur’s Seat Edinburgh Walk: Quick Guide To Best Route
Updated: 12th January 2025 By Lauren | Published: 6th March 2018
Home » Blog » Europe » Scotland »In this post, discover how to do the Arthur’s Seat walk in Edinburgh and everything you need to know for climbing this extinct volcano and famous landmark.
Arthur’s Seat is located in Edinburgh city centre. It is the peak of the group of hills which form Holyrood Park (near the Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse). It is 250.5 m (822 ft) high, so it is a pretty small hill by many standards. However, Arthur’s Seat rises dramatically above Edinburgh and is an iconic landmark in Scotland’s capital city.
I lived in Edinburgh for nearly 4 years and hiked to the top of Arthur’s Seat many times! The walk is pretty easy for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness, but it can be steep in parts. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with a wonderful view of Edinburgh and the surrounding area!
If you’re visiting Edinburgh and want to take on the challlenge of climbing this small but steep hill, then this guide to the Arthur’s Seat walk will answer all your questions! I share my top tips for the Arthur’s Seat walk, route maps, a little bit of history and an FAQ.
Arthur’s Seat Walk In Edinburgh Quick Guide
Arthur’s Seat is number one in our Quick Guide to The Seven Hills of Edinburgh series. Check out the full series here: The Seven Hills Of Edinburgh: A Quick Guide
For more travel tips on visiting Edinburgh and Scotland, have a look at my Scotland Travel Guide.
Arthur’s Seat Walk In Edinburgh
Being just around a mile (1.6km) to the east of Edinburgh Castle in city centre, spending time doing the Arthur’s Seat walk is a great way to experience the Scottish outdoors on your visit to Edinburgh.
Arthur’s Seat is in Holyrood Park and there are several walking trails to enjoy. There are also several interesting features in the park. Besides the Palace of Holyrood House, there are several lakes and bogs, old chapel ruins, and the dramatic Salisbury Crags.
If you make the climb to the top of Arthur’s Seat, there is a viewpoint from where you can see all around Edinburgh and the Lothians. The panoramic views from Arthur’s Seat are truly spectacular!
Is Arthur’s Seat Hard To Climb And A Difficult Walk? How Steep Is Arthur’s Seat?
The Arthur’s Seat walk is relatively easy and can be accomplished by most people.
You will need a reasonable level of fitness as the trails to the summit of Arthur’s Seat are quite steep in places, especially the direct climbing route to the top.
However there are several routes to the summit of Arthur’s Seat and each varies in terms of difficulty. If you want a direct route to the top it will be quicker but steeper. An alternative route takes a more gradual approach but will take longer.
Later on in this post we take a look at the different trails to the top and a map showing the routes.
Do You Need Walking Boots To Climb Arthur’s Seat? What Should You Wear To Walk Arthur’s Seat?
You do not necessarily need hiking boots to climb Arthur’s Seat, but I recommend wearing good walking boots or shoes for the Arthur’s Seat walk. It is better to be prepared because there are quite lot of rocks on the trail and it is quite steep.
If you don’t have walking boots then you can wear a good pair of trainers/sneakers.
Towards the top there are rocky areas so you will need to be careful with your footing. The paths around Arthur’s Seat can also get muddy due to Scotland’s frequent wet weather!
It is a good idea to do the Arthur’s Seat walk on a sunny or cloudy day if possible. If there is a lot of rain then there can be a lot of mud on the trails and potential to slip.
You will also want good weather so that you can get the best views possible from the top!
There is no shelter on the Arthur’s Seat walk and it is usually very windy. I recommend taking a wind/waterproof jacket. Wearing layers for the walk is also a good idea, because you might get very hot climbing to the top!
Arthur’s Seat Walk Packing List
Here is a list of items you should pack to take on a walk up Arthur’s Seat:
- Good walking shoes or boots (trainers/sneakers will be fine on dry days)
- Waterproof and windproof jacket
- Water
- Snacks or picnic
- Camera for the views
Arthur’s Seat Edinburgh Walk Trail Map
I have created this colour coded trail map showing the routes and walking paths around Arthur’s Seat. There are several trails across the park to explore. Open this map bigger in a new window here.
- Green Route – Summit Path along the Dry Dam – the most direct route to the top, a steady climb.
- Purple Route – Piper’s Walk and The Dasses – Scenic walk with interesting highlights, including St Margaret’s Well, St Anthony’s Chapel Ruins and St Margaret’s Loch. Skirts the slopes through the valley, with some elevation up and down.
- Pink Route – Volunteers Walk – Scenic walk through the valley between Salisbury Crags and Arthur’s Seat, passing Hunter’s Bog. Relatively flat with some elevation up and down.
- Blue Route – Salisbury Crags – Unmarked path along the top of the Salisbury Crags. Take care on this route as there is a steep drop.
- Yellow Route – From Dunsapie Loch – Quick climb route from the eastern side of Holyrood Park. Less scenic.
- Red Route – A zig-zag route that climbs directly up and around Crow Hill. Short and steep route directly to the summit.
- Black Route – Radical Road – Closed due to damage and danger of rockfall since 2018. Do not attempt this route.
Below is a photo of the trail map that is located outside the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood House and Dynamic Earth close to the start of the Arthur’s Seat walk.
Which Route To Take For The Arthur’s Seat Walk
As shown in the map above, there are many routes to climb the Seat, from almost any direction in Holyrood Park.
For your first time visit to Arthur’s Seat, the best walking route to take is the green route – the Summit Path.
Most Direct Route – Summit Path
The most direct route to the summit of Arthur’s Seat begins near the Scottish Parliament. On the map I made above it is marked in green.
Follow the trail called the Summit Path Route. This path will go straight up and pass St Margaret’s Well and the ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel on the way.
The walk up is a steady climb. It can be steep in sections and rocky.
After rain it can become muddy.
As it is the most direct route to the top of Arthur’s Seat, it is a popular route and can be busy at times. In the FAQs you can learn about the best times to visit Arthur’s Seat to avoid the crowds and get the best views.
How Long Does It Take To Walk Up Arthur’s Seat In Edinburgh?
To take the Summit Path, it takes around 40-60 minutes on average to climb, depending on your fitness and speed.
If you take one of the shorter routes, for example the yellow route from Dunsapie Loch or the red route which is short and steep, it will take around 20-30 minutes to climb.
I’d recommend allowing 2 hours for your total Arthur’s Seat hike round trip.
Arthur’s Seat Hike Distance
The Arthur’s Seat Summit Path hike is around 1 mile in distance one way.
Arthur’s Seat View
At The Top Of Arthur’s Seat In Edinburgh
From the top of Arthur’s Seat you can get amazing panoramic views across Edinburgh. The summit is a great place to see Edinburgh’s prominent sights including Edinburgh Castle, Calton Hill and Edinburgh Old Town.
You’ll be able to see the Firth of Forth and on a clear day all the way out to Berwick Law (a conical hill) in North Berwick.
Looking inland, the Pentland Hills are a hill range close to Edinburgh city that are worth heading to for a hike if you want to get more into the Scottish outdoors.
At the top of Arthur’s Seat are lots of large rocks and green spaces – a good place for a picnic!
The photo below shows Crow Hill and Nether Hill located beneath the Arthur’s Seat summit.
Which Way To Go Down Arthur’s Seat
For your descent, you have a variety of options and can return the way you came up or try a new route.
My favourite circular route is to head back down Piper’s Walk (purple route section on my route map above).
Then take the path over the top of the Salisbury Crags for more stunning views (blue route on the map). This section is an unmarked/unofficial path, but it is easy enough to follow.
Be careful when walking over the top of the Salisbury Crags as there is a steep drop from the cliffs.
At the end the path will join back with the red summit path, to finish back where you started the walk.
Interesting Sites Around Arthur’s Seat
There are several interesting sites to check out around Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park, besides enjoying the beautiful views!
Highlights include:
- Salisbury Crags – Stunning rocky cliffs with volcanic origins.
- Duddingston Loch– A natural freshwater lake and breeding and wintering site for wildfowl.
- Duddingston Village – A charming, historic village in east Edinburgh.
- St Margaret’s Loch – A small man-made pond popular with swans and ducks, built during the Victorian Era.
- Ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel – Interesting ruins of a chapel built in the 15th Century.
- St Margarget’s Well – A Holy Well said to have medicinal waters and historic pilgrimage site.
- Hunter’s Bog – A swampy bog located in the peaceful and scenic valley between Salisbury Crags and Arthur’s Seat.
- Palace of Holyroodhouse – Official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. From standing on top of Salisbury Crags you can get the best views of Holyrood Palace.
Mini Coffin Mystery At Arthur’s Seat – Interesting History
One of my favourite stories involving Arthur’s Seat is the mini coffin mystery.
In summer 1836, a group of school boys were hunting rabbits at Arthur’s Seat.
At a secluded spot on the north-east side of Arthur’s Seat, they discovered a small cave sealed by slate.
Inside the cave, they found 17 small, wooden coffins. Inside each one was a small figure carved from wood and dressed in cloth as if to represent actual people.
The mystery of who made the coffins and why they were “buried” at Arthur’s Seat has remained unsolved for almost 200 years.
Burke And Hare?
My favourite theory about the origins of the coffins is that they were created as a tribute to the victims of Burke and Hare.
Burke and Hare were infamous body snatchers that murdered victims to be studied for medicial science. There were 17 Burke and Hare victims and there were 17 mini coffins.
The theory is that someone made the mini bodies and coffins to give the victims a sympathetic burial.
National Museum Of Scotland
Following their discovery, the Arthur’s Seat coffins went into the hands of private collectors.
But in 1901, 8 of the mysterious mini coffins reappeared and were donated to the National Museums of Scotland.
If you visit the National Museum of Scotland today you can see the Arthur’s Seat coffins on display. Entry to the museum is FREE and they are open daily from 10 am – 5 pm, located on Chambers Street.
Arthur’s Seat FAQ
Why Is It Called Arthur’s Seat?
There are many different theories about why it is called Arthur’s Seat – it could possibly be derived from King Arthur, a legendary leader of medieval Britain, or a modification of the Gaelic Ard-na-Said, meaning “Height of Arrows”, or Ard-thir Suidhe meaning “place on high ground”.
Is Arthur’s Seat An Extinct Volcano?
Arthur’s Seat is formed of an extinct volcano from around 300 million years ago.
It was then eroded by a glacier, creating the cool (pun intended) basalt cliffs of the Salisbury Crags which dramatically drop between Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh’s city centre.
Is Arthur’s Seat In Edinburgh Free?
Yes, Arthur’s Seat is free! The hill is located in a public park that is open 24/7 and is free for everyone to enjoy.
When Is The Best Time To Go To Arthur’s Seat?
Arthur’s Seat can be walked at any time of the year. But some times of the year are better than others.
Scotland being Scotland, it rains a lot and it can get pretty cold in the winter. Occassionally it will snow at the top of Arthur’s Seat in the winter, and be very icy.
Therefore, it is best to walk Arthur’s Seat in the spring, summer or autumn months (March – November) and avoid the winter.
But if you are visiting at that time of year, there’s no reason why you can’t do the Arthur’s Seat walk in winter (I’ve done it)! You’ll just need to make sure that you are well prepared with warm layers, including a good jacket, hat, scarf and gloves.
In the winter it can go dark as early at 3 pm, so leave yourself plenty of time to get up and down in daylight.
Best Time Of Day To Do Arthur’s Seat Walk And What Times To Avoid
The best time of day to do the Arthur’s Seat walk is first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon/early evening. If you visit at these times, then the trail will be quieter.
You will also have a chance of seeing beautiful views for sunrise or sunset! The golden hour glow in Edinburgh is particularly magical!
If you want to avoid crowds at Arthur’s Seat then I would suggest not doing the walk in the middle of the afternoon (between 12 noon and 4 pm). These hours are when most people are doing the Arthur’s Seat walk and it can be incredibly busy on the trail.
The summit of Arthur’s Seat is a rocky area and it is actually quite a small space. It can get very crowded there at busy times and it can be a little scary as there isn’t much space to stand and move around!
Is Arthur’s Seat Worth It?
Arthur’s Seat is a very popular tourist attraction in Edinburgh. The hill is also incredibly popular with Edinburgh locals. The Holyrood Park is a recreation area for Edinburgh residents and a public park.
If you want to experience how locals get outdoors in Edinburgh, then taking the Arthur’s Seat walk is a good way to do this.
It is also worth doing the Arthur’s Seat walk to get a great view of Edinburgh from the top.
The hill is close to Edinburgh city centre, so if your accommodation is in the centre then you likely won’t have to travel very far to do this walk.
On the other hand, there are several hills in Edinburgh (including the famous Seven Hills of Edinburgh) that offer amazing outdoor experiences. These other walking locations offer beautiful views of Edinburgh, as well as their own unique history and attractions, that are different to Arthur’s Seat.
Calton Hill – An Alternative To Arthur’s Seat
Another popular hill to walk in Edinburgh is Calton Hill. If you’re short on time, or do not feel like you have a fitness level enough to walk Arthur’s Seat, then you could try the Calton Hill walk. Calton Hill is a great alternative to doing the Arthur’s Seat walk and offers:
- Great views of Edinburgh (the most famous view, in fact)
- It is close to the city centre (just 5-minutes from Princes St and Waverley Train Station)
- Calton Hill is not as high as Arthur’s Seat so the walk is a lot shorter (but it is still quite steep).
Other Beautiful Hill Walks In Edinburgh (That Are Not Arthur’s Seat)
If you want to do something different and not just follow the path well travelled to the top of Arthur’s Seat, then here are recommendations of other walks to do in Edinburgh:
- A Walk Around The Braid Hills In Edinburgh – Your Complete Guide
- Blackford Hill & The Hermitage Of Braid In Edinburgh – Quick Guide
- 5 Reasons Why I Love Corstorphine Hill In Edinburgh
- Calton Hill Guide: Easy Walk & Famous View Of Edinburgh
How To Get To Arthur’s Seat In Edinburgh
Getting to Arthur’s Seat is easy from Edinburgh city centre. There are options for walking to Arthur’s Seat, taking public transport (the bus) or driving.
Where To Start Arthur’s Seat Walk
The best location to start the Arthur’s Seat walk is on the Queen’s Drive road next to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Scottish Parliament and Dynamic Earth. These prominent landmarks and sightseeing attractions will help you to locate the start of the Arthur’s Seat walk.
Walk To Arthur’s Seat From Edinburgh
You can easily walk from the city centre. From Edinburgh Castle follow the Royal Mile to reach the area which has Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Scottish Parliament and Dynamic Earth.
The walk to from Edinburgh Castle to Arthur’s Seat down the Royal Mile will take about 20 minutes. The road is going down hill the whole way, as Edinburgh Castle is located on another hill – Castle Rock!
How To Get To Arthur’s Seat By Bus
There are two ways to take the bus to Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.
Firstly, you can take the public bus system called Lothian Bus. You can get to Arthur’s Seat by taking Lothian Bus 35 to the Scottish Parliament/Palace of Holyroodhouse. The stop is on the Royal Mile in Canongate.
The second option is to get tickets for the Edinburgh Sightseeing Bus Tour (available on Get Your Guide). This hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour bus that makes a stop at the Palace of Holyrood House.
With tickets to this bus tour you can explore Edinburgh at your own pace with a 24-hour ticket for unlimited journeys on the hop-on and hop-off bus. The open-top sightseeing bus allows you to relax and enjoy the views. The bus goes to all major sightseeing attractions in Edinburgh city centre and the onboard commentary tells you information about Edinburgh and its history along the way.
From the bus stop at the Scottish Parliament/Palace of Holyroodhouse you are at the entrance to Holyrood Park and an easy, short walk to the start of the Arthur’s Seat walk.
Arthur’s Seat In Edinburgh Walk Guide – Thanks For Reading!
Arthur’s Seat is one of Scotland’s favourite and most famous hills.
Taking a hike to the summit is a wonderful way to get outdoors in Edinburgh and enjoy panoramic views of Scotland’s capital city.
There are several hiking trails to take around Holyrood Park and interesting sites to see along the way.
After visiting Arthur’s Seat, why not take a walk up one of Edinburgh’s other hills?
Enjoy your outdoor adventure in Edinburgh! – Lauren x
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Arthur’s Seat is No. 1 in our Quick Guide to The Seven Hills of Edinburgh series. Check out the full series here: The Seven Hills Of Edinburgh: A Quick Guide
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