Arthur's Seat Walk: A Complete Guide to Climbing Edinburgh's Volcano in Holyrood Park

Where else can you climb an extinct volcano straight from a capital city? Arthur's Seat rises right above Edinburgh's Royal Mile. It is only 251 m high, but from the top you can see the whole city, the castle, the Firth of Forth and, on a clear day, the Bass Rock out at sea. The volcano was active around 340 million years ago. Today it sits in Holyrood Park, a wild bit of hills, crags and lochs just a few minutes' walk from the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

We have been to Scotland a few times, but we haven't climbed Arthur's Seat yet. It is high on our bucket list, so I've researched every detail for you. I love that you can do it in a morning and still have the rest of the day to explore Edinburgh.

The walk below is a short circular route from Holyrood Palace. You go up past the ruins of St Anthony's Chapel and return over the grassy slopes of Whinny Hill to St Margaret's Loch. It is short, but the last bit is steep and rocky. So don't do it in flip-flops!

At a glance

• Distance: about 4 km (2.5 miles)
• Elevation gain: around 230 m
• Allow about 2 hours, plus time to enjoy the views
• Difficulty: Moderate. Earthy paths lower down, which can be muddy, then a steep, rocky final climb with a chain railing
• Route type: Circular
• Start/finish: Broad Pavement car park by Holyrood Palace, Queen's Drive, EH8 8AZ
• Best season: all year, in dry weather. Spring and autumn are lovely
• Prices: free. Holyrood Park is open 24 hours a day, all year
• Toilets: next to the Holyrood Park Education Centre (see opening times below). There are no toilets or cafés on the hill
• Suitable for children: yes, for kids used to walking. The main route is not pushchair-friendly
• Dogs: welcome, but you must clean up after them. Follow the signs about leads during the nesting season

Route description

Broad Pavement to St Anthony's Chapel

Start on Queen's Drive next to Holyrood Palace. The cliffs of Salisbury Crags rise straight ahead of you. For the summit route, take the trail on the left. After a few minutes the path forks. Keep left again. The path is an earthy singletrack that climbs gently. Near the bottom it can be really muddy after rain.

Soon you reach the ruins of St Anthony's Chapel on a rocky spur below Whinny Hill. It is the only building in Holyrood Park. The chapel probably dates from the early 15th century, but it fell into ruin after the Reformation. Only parts of the walls still stand. From here you get a lovely view down to St Margaret's Loch and its swans.

The steep climb to the summit

Above the chapel, the path gets steeper and rockier. The volcanic rock has been polished by thousands of feet, so it is slippery when wet. There is a metal chain railing to hold on to on the steepest part. Take it slowly with kids!

Arthur's Seat summit

The summit is a rocky knoll with a trig point. It is often very windy up here, even when it feels calm in the city. The views are amazing. You can see the Old Town and the castle, Calton Hill, Leith and the Firth of Forth to the north, and the Bass Rock to the east. From some angles the hill looks like a lion lying down. Two of the old volcanic vents are even called the Lion's Head and the Lion's Haunch.

Back over Whinny Hill

Go back down the steep section the way you came up, with care. At the path junction, carry straight on towards Whinny Hill. A grassy path climbs gently and winds through the gorse. Keep to the main path on the west side of Whinny Hill. In spring the gorse is bright yellow and smells a bit like coconut.

St Margaret's Loch and back to the palace

The path then bends right and drops down, with St Margaret's Loch on your left. This small loch was made in 1856 as part of Prince Albert's improvements to the park. Join Queen's Drive, turn left and walk past the loch back to the start by Holyrood Palace.

Extra loop: if you still have energy, you can walk along the top of Salisbury Crags. The path along the top is open, but keep well back from the unfenced edge. The Radical Road below the crags was closed after a big rockfall in 2018. As of 2026, Historic Environment Scotland says the southern section from the Hawse to the South Quarry is open again, including Hutton's Section. This is a famous rock outcrop that helped the geologist James Hutton prove his ideas about the age of the Earth. The northern section is still closed.

How to get there

On foot and public transport

• From Edinburgh Waverley station: it is about a 15–20 minute walk down the Royal Mile or along Holyrood Road to Holyrood Palace.
• By bus: Lothian Buses service 35 stops at Canongate Kirk on the Royal Mile, a short walk from the start. Other Lothian buses stop on Holyrood Park Road on the southern side of the park. Prices: an adult single was £2.40 and a City DAY ticket £6 in 2026. Children aged 5–15 pay £1.20 for a single.
• Check Traveline Scotland or the Lothian Buses app for current times.

By car and parking

Parking: the main car park is Broad Pavement, next to Holyrood Palace. In 2026 it costs £1 per hour from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays. It is free on Saturdays, Sundays and some public holidays. There are also car parks at St Margaret's Loch and Duddingston Loch. The Dunsapie Loch car park, which starts you much higher up the hill, is only open to cars Tuesday to Thursday, 9:30 am–3 pm. Overnight parking is not allowed anywhere in the park.

Please note the road closures. On Saturdays and Sundays all park roads close to vehicles during the day, usually from between 8:15 am and 9 am until 3:45 pm. However, you can still drive to Broad Pavement, Meadowbank and Duddingston car parks. The High Road is closed to motor traffic, and the Duddingston Low Road is closed to vehicles because of rockfall risk. Honestly, in the city centre I recommend leaving the car behind.

By bike

You can cycle on the park roads and on the green path beside Queen's Drive. There is a one-way system for cyclists on the High Road. Off-road cycling is not allowed, so lock your bike near the start and walk up.

Permits, fees & opening times

• Entry: free, no permit needed. The park is open 24 hours a day, all year.
• Toilets (as of 2026): next to the Holyrood Park Education Centre. April and September 8 am–5 pm, May 8 am–6 pm, June to August 8 am–5 pm (Monday to Wednesday) and 8 am–7 pm (Thursday to Sunday), and October to March 8 am–3 pm.
• Climbing areas on the crags are currently closed for safety.
• Events: roads and car parks can close for events. For example, on Bonfire Night (5 November) park roads close in the evening. Check the Historic Environment Scotland website before you go.

When to go

You can climb Arthur's Seat all year. In my opinion, a dry morning in spring or autumn is perfect. The light is soft, and the paths are quieter. In spring the gorse is in full flower. Sunrise and sunset are really popular with photographers. If you go for sunset, take a head torch for the walk down.

Summer is the busiest time, especially during the Edinburgh Festival in August. Weekends are also nice, because the park roads are closed to cars during the day. Avoid the hill in strong wind, ice or heavy rain. The rock gets slippery, and the gusts on the top can be much stronger than in town.

Hiking with kids

Suitable for children: yes. Arthur's Seat is a great first "mountain" for kids, as it is short and the summit feels like a real adventure. I think children from about 5 who are used to walking can manage it. Hold their hands on the steep, rocky final section and near any cliff edges.

• Pushchairs: not suitable for the summit. However, the pavements along Queen's Drive and around St Margaret's Loch are fine for a pram.
• Carriers: a back carrier is the easiest way to take toddlers to the top. Watch your footing on the polished rock.
• Keep them engaged: tell them it is a real volcano! Look for the swans on St Margaret's Loch and spot the castle from the top. Afterwards, visit the National Museum of Scotland to see the mysterious miniature coffins that boys found on Arthur's Seat in 1836.

What to pack

• Shoes with good grip. Walking boots or trail shoes are best, as the grass and rock are slippery when wet
• A windproof and waterproof jacket, even on a sunny day
• Water and a snack, as there are no cafés on the hill
• A head torch if you go up for sunrise or sunset
• A camera, of course!

If you have a baby or toddler, you can still enjoy the flatter paths around the park. We use our Out n About Nipper all-terrain pram for walks like this. It goes through mud and grass without any issue.

Safety tips

• Beware of sheer drops. Salisbury Crags and parts of Arthur's Seat have unfenced cliff edges. Keep well back, especially in wind.
• Wear sturdy shoes with good grip. The paths are uneven, and the rock is polished smooth.
• Don't try to climb the crags or scramble down the steep gullies. Stick to the main paths.
• Respect closed areas, such as the northern part of the Radical Road. They are closed because of falling rocks.
• Take a torch if you are coming down in the dark.
• In an emergency, call 999.

Leave no trace & sustainable tips

• Never light fires or barbecues. In July 2026 a big wildfire burned a large area of gorse on Salisbury Crags. It was the third fire in the park within a year, and rangers fear it harmed a rare butterfly, the Northern Brown Argus.
• Stay on the paths. Shortcuts cause erosion on the steep slopes.
• Take all your rubbish home and pick up after your dog.
• Walk, cycle or take the bus. The park is right in the city centre, so you really don't need a car.
• Give the wildlife space, especially the birds on the lochs during the nesting season.

Where to stay & eat nearby

• Edinburgh Old Town is the obvious base. The Royal Mile and the streets around it are full of hotels, hostels, cafés and pubs, all within walking distance of the park.
• Holyrood Park Lodges are holiday lets run by Historic Environment Scotland, right in the park.
• Duddingston village, on the south-east side of the hill, is home to the historic Sheep Heid Inn, which even has a skittle alley. You can walk over the hill to Duddingston and catch a bus back.
• There is no café in the park itself, so grab a coffee in Holyrood or on the Royal Mile before you start.

More to explore nearby

• Palace of Holyroodhouse: the King's official residence in Scotland, right at the start of the walk.
• Dynamic Earth: a science centre next to the park, perfect after a walk on a real volcano.
• Calton Hill: another easy viewpoint with monuments, a short walk away.
• Duddingston Loch and Dr Neil's Garden: a peaceful corner of the park, with a lovely garden next to the old kirk.
• National Museum of Scotland: free entry, and home to the Arthur's Seat miniature coffins.
• The Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle: the classic Old Town walk, from the palace up to the castle.

FAQ

How long does it take to walk up Arthur's Seat?

The circular walk from Holyrood Palace via St Anthony's Chapel, the summit and Whinny Hill takes about 2 hours. Allow extra time to enjoy the views at the top.

Is Arthur's Seat hard to climb?

It is short, but the final section is steep and rocky, with a chain railing to help you. With good shoes, most reasonably fit people and children used to walking can manage it.

Is it free to climb Arthur's Seat?

Yes. Holyrood Park is free and open 24 hours a day. You only pay if you park at Broad Pavement on a weekday (£1 per hour in 2026).

Is the Radical Road open?

Only partly. It closed after a rockfall in 2018. As of 2026, the southern section from the Hawse to the South Quarry, including Hutton's Section, is open again. The northern section is still closed.

Can you see sunrise from Arthur's Seat?

Yes, and it is a popular spot for it. The park is open all night, but take a head torch and be extra careful on the rocky section in the dark.

Have you climbed Arthur's Seat? Did you go up for sunrise or sunset? Let me know in the comments!