Arthur’s seat is an iconic part of any trip to Edinburgh. It’s part of an ancient volcano and represents the primary peak of the hills that overlook Edinburgh.
As part of Holyrood Park, Arthur’s seat is close to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British Monarch in Scotland.
Arthur’s seat represents a height of 251m and provides truly stunning views across Edinburgh.
Terrain:
Depending on the time of year that you visit the walk can be quite muddy, although the paths are reasonably hard underfoot they’re quite heavily walked and can be both slippery and muddy (worth it for the views though!).
The Walk:
The walk starts at Queens Drive Road before heading across the clearly marked paths in Holyrood Park.
As you move closer towards the paths that work their way up to the top of Arthur’s seat it gets steeper and steeper, as you go there are multiple routes some easier than others, take the ones that feel the best for your walking style.
As you go you will also notice views out across Edinburgh and towards Portobello beach.
Once you get closer to the top the terrain can become trickier with steeper surfaces and rocks underfoot. If you’re visiting whilst it’s rainy or icy it’s particularly important to take extra care here as you make your way to the top.
Once at the top there is a small monument that marks the occasion and some truly incredible views of Edinburgh city.
Transport:
Despite feeling like a trip outside of Edinburgh due to its proximity Arthur’s seat can be walked to from the city centre which has great train links directly into the city. There are bus routes that head closer to Arthur’s monument and a car park on Queens Drive Road for those driving to the walk.
Time to Complete the Walk:
Walking up Arthur’s Seat really does depend on your walking experience and how busy the area is at the time as well as the weather conditions. As such it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 3+ hours if you’re really enjoying the scenery!
Refreshments:
With the walk being a popular tourist destination there is often an ice cream van close to the start of the walk. Due to the proximity to the town if you’re wanting any refreshments Edinburgh has an enormous amount to offer for any budding explorer.
