Every city has at least one. The top. That spot when the streets are swirling about folks can roam to get above things. The little seat where you can stand to feel on top of it all. During my travels, this point is my favorite thing to visit halfway through the trip - get caught in the city for a few days, feel it absorb you in, lose a little of who you are, then strain your legs walking to the top to remind yourself of why you came. To see that all those new places visited in one view. Arthur's Seat is a stunning spot to do exactly that. Halfway through my trip to Edinburgh we gathered up for a girl's night - a lady from London, me from California, our Scottish friend, and a college friend of mine who had recently moved back to the UK to explore her family roots. Luckily we had a car and they had visited many times, so we drove half way up then walked - er, hiked - the rest. The path we took was a straight line to the top, a very bumpy steep rock filled line that had me huffing and puffing by the time we reached the top. It was short and steep, doable yet will make you feel like you are way more out of shape than you thought you were. Benefits: at least it warmed us up for the top! The seat offers a view of all of Edinburgh, out until it touches the sea. The island, Cramond Island, was a marker for the area I was staying. A turn around shows the mountains, looks down the rolling green shows lovely groups of friends laughing and having picnics. Plenty of rocks to chill on that made nice natural seats (hehe). So worth it. So lovely. Someday, I really hope to come back to see this during the winter months - and to have a picnic! read more

Arthur's Seat - A view from the top of Arthur's Seat on a windy August day just before sunset. - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Having returned to Edinburgh after a long gap and having walked to the summit of Arthur's Seat many times . I visited Dunsapie loch for the first time after veering off to the left from the usual summit path . Very nice views. read more

Arthur's Seat - Approaching Dunsapie Loch - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Great view and a nice choose your own adventure for people who don't want to go all the way up. It is a little slippery and it is definitely cold at the top. I recommend going early in the morning because it gets very crowded around mid-day. read more

Wandering around the city, I spotted this from the other side and decided I needed to head that way. Upon googling, learned it was a popular hiking spot, in a beautiful park, and I was sold. I went super early and I highly recommend going early. Even at that time, it was pretty crowded. It was pretty steep and I slid a few times in my sneakers. The views were pretty cool, but I thought the hike itself was worth it. 10/10 recommend. Take a stop off at the little loch! Beautiful swans and very serene. read more

Beautiful place. Little steep worth the amazing view when you get to the top it's worth it!

Today was my first time ascending Arthur's Seat. It was actually much better than I was expecting! We parked our car at Waverley Station and headed down there via Canongate, passing the Parliament building along the way. It was a little farther out than I thought but it is fairly central, about a 15 minute walk away from Hunter Square. I found it way more challenging going up and I had to stop for breaks several times. Once we reached the top it was well worth it as you are rewarded with panoramic views over Edinburgh and East Lothian. As Edinburgh is quite a flat city, don't expect to see any tall buildings. Parts of it, especially near the peak, were a bit too steep, causing me to crawl up a little bit in fear of falling. It didn't really seem as dangerous as the Scott Monument, where the staircases are extremely narrow, with trip steps in some places. We picked a good day to do it as it didn't seem as rammed with tourists as other places in town. Some of the TripAdvisor reviews are a bit ridiculous, like people that complained due to the lack of a Starbucks or a Tesco at the top! I would say that climbing Arthur's Seat is a good way of seeing the more rural side of Edinburgh. Escape the crowds of Princes Street and give it a climb! read more

Arthur's Seat - Panorama - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Have lived in Edinburgh for nearly 7 years, and this is one of most beautiful place i could recommend to any tourist. Beautiful sceneries around, there is a small lake near it where small swans and ducks can enhance the experience. It's walkable distance from Parliament and a gorgeous and peaceful place to spend a sunny day with family. It's a beautiful location to take pictures. read more

During my partner and my visit to the city. We decided to give ourselves some walk around. I heard that Arthur's seat would be a great place to be. So we started head to that direction around afternoon. I have to admit that I was a bit underestimate this place. After the first 15 minutes hiking and we both thought we were on the top at the moment, but we saw the road didn't end here. So we were just keep going. At one point, we started to take different paths, I was trying to take the short cut. So I started to climb the stairs over the hill till the end of it and I reached the rocky and wet soils. Let's say those shoes I was wearing weren't meant for this. So I have to turn back and catch up with my partner on the side. If we know the correct path first we could make it to the top much earlier. Instead, we followed the drive way and went around the hill till we saw the grass field which lead to the top of the Arthur's Seat. After more than an hour, we finally made it to the top. Although we both felt really tired, it was really rewarding feeling and happy about we stick to the end of this journey. It was quite fun. From the top we could have a really breathtaking 360° view of the city. We also could see the sunset here. A It was just brilliant and somehow romantic. On the way back, we decided to take a different path to go back down. We saw a jogger on the top of the Arthur's Seat and asked him if he know the shorter way to go down. He was really friendly and pointed out the way for us. The way to the ground is much easier but also a bit more scarier, since there wasn't much to hold on to. After 18 to 20 minutes walk we were already at the bottom of the hill. At the end, I think Arthur's Seat is great place to visit. We started from the other side from the hill, which took more time. There is a shorter way to go up. If you like nature and challenging. And for great city view, this is no doubt one of the best places you can found in the city. Make sure you have enough time in your schedule for it. read more

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Of course, the first thing that comes up when you look for something to do in Edinburgh is Arthur's seat. So we had to see what the hype was all about. Coming from two inexperienced hikers from the plains of Iowa this hike was... doable. Definitely worth it once we got to the top and experienced the views. On our way up we met a lovely man and his dog Alfie who has his own Instagram where they post photos of other hikers they meet from all around the world. He told us they do the hike every day for Alfie's daily walk which I could not imagine! He also gave us some great pointers on the best route and then other things to do when we were in Edinburgh. Once we got to the top the wind had really picked up and I felt like we were going to get blown over, but that is to be expected at 800ft. We went down a grassy area and walked back around a little pond where there were a ton of pigeons, swans, geese, ducks, you name the waterfowl they were probably there. Overall it was a great hike and lovely despite the windy weather. read more

Arthur's Seat - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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It's a physically demanding hike is pretty much the bulk of what I would say about this attraction in Edinburgh. The hike up the often steep paths takes around an hour if you allot for a break or two to catch your breath (unless you're in excellent physical shape or a robot). It's what's at the peak of this extinct volcano that makes the aching legs worth it. The views of the city from above. Personally, I thought the views from the top of Calton Hill were better but, none the less, they're stunning up here as well. If you're in for a hell of an up mountain hike then absolutely go for it! You'll be quite pleased at the summit. read more

I'm pretty much a baby when it comes to hiking, so I was half ready to drop this from our Edinburgh itinerary, especially because we were going to Edinburgh Castle on the same day and I figured you could get a good view from either one. But if you're thinking of skipping it I'm here to tell you: DON'T DO IT! If it's a nice day like we had, the views are simply unparalleled and even if it's not, when else do you get the chance to climb a volcano in the middle of a major city? That's not to say the hike isn't hard. We came in from the west and didn't realize that there was more than one trail up so we accidentally took the most challenging one. Still, even though I stopped about every ten steps to catch my breath, we still managed it in about 45 minutes and we may have been able to do it in 30 if we took the trail from the other side. Even though it was a nice day and we were sweating from the climb, once we got to the top, it was WINDY. I would say good shoes are a must, but you don't really need hardcore hiking clothes. Still, a sweatshirt you can wrap around your waist and put on once you get to the top is definitely helpful. The views really are incredible - even with the haze we could see out to the ocean on one side and all of Edinburgh and beyond on the other. Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park exemplify what makes Edinburgh so magical - a few blocks away you've got pubs, restaurants and centuries-old architecture and here, you can have challenging and beautiful hikes. read more

Arthur's Seat - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

After spending a week in chain-smoking, sarcastic, snooty London, I spent a lovely day in Edinburgh. I bookmarked Arthur's Seat prior to leaving Hawaii and I was determine to squeeze this hike in. Arthur's Seat is a short distance away from the Royal Mile. It is a peaceful, fun and an easy walk/hike. The path is paved and wide to accomodate a lot of hikers (and there are a lot). As you work your way up the path, there is a slight detour where you can take photos by an old ruin that used to be St. Anthony's chapel. From there you follow the main path and can see a body of water, crags and a view of Edinburgh and the sea. Beautiful sights to behold all the way up, especially if the weather is breezy and sunny like it was when I went. The last leg of the hike has railing and cobblestone. You know you're nearly at the top when you reach this point. As you work your way up, you'll have to climb some rocks. Incentive: It's a 360 degree view of Edinburgh at the top. When in Edinburgh, add this 45-60 minute hike (casual walking pace) to your itinerary. It's relaxing, it's not too difficult and it's a nice escape from the city. read more

Are you in (or planning to be in) Edinburgh? Do yourself a big favor and hike Arthur's Seat at sunrise. I know, I know -- it's early. But it shall be worth it. Solo or with pals, it's a gorgeous ascent with breathtaking views. *Wear trainers/sneakers/running shoes. *Dress in layers, particularly outside of the summer months. *Challenge level = 5/10. Descent is quite easy. Take a moment and breathe it all in from start to finish. It's quite a thing to hike up a dormant volcano in Scotland at sunrise. Bucket list? I think so. read more

Arthur's Seat - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Harder than we thought but worth it at the top based off of others reviews. We went down a different path than we hiked up which I would suggest to see other views. It was cool that there was someone playing bagpipes in the field while we were hiking! read more

Arthur's Seat - At the bottom - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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We're so out of shape. BUT, we made it! You know you're out of shape when you see middle-aged men running around like billy goats on the rocks scattered around on the hills and you're thinking of what to eat for breakfast tomorrow... We parked in one of the lots down below and made our way up the trail. I guess there are a few different ways (and you can stop at the ruins), but we took the way that looked the most worn. We were warned it would get dark soon (who knew?!) by a passing walker, but we made it up in decent time and it still wasn't actually dark as we took pictures and caught our breath at the top. You'll get some really nice views of Edinburgh and the surrounding area up at the top. Sometimes you'll also get to see a screaming mother chasing her rebellious adolescent (Ryan? Brian?) that's "too close to the edge". 50 people suddenly felt very awkward. read more

Arthur's Seat - Enjoying the view. - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

We hiked it!!! Yes, I thought I was going to have a heart attack midway up, but then I realized that if I bit the dust, in Edinburgh, while ascending Arthur's Seat, I could pretty much die happy. Holyrood Park is amazing. Arthur's seat is amazing. This entire city is downright amazing. I don't want to leave. read more

Arthur's Seat - I made it! - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Great hike. Nice and quick way up, don't have to follow the beaten path, and you're rewarded with awesome views of Edinburgh and the North Sea. We came mid day and there was quite a few people, but it wasn't too bad. After we hiked over to the remains of an abbey and on down. I would recommend for people wanting to conquer a hill, but don't want to Ben Nevis it, or for those just looking to stretch their legs. We walked over from Royal Mile area since we didn't have the time or patience to learn the bus system, but it didn't seem too bad. There was that Hogweed that looks like Queen Anne's Lace from Alaska that gives super burns from the sap, but it turned out to be the regular non-dangerous kind. I would definitely recommend. read more

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This just makes me want to move to Edinburgh even more. I can't believe that vI'd been to Edinburgh in the past without going up, but that's what happens when you drink for three days straight. It does get busy, but not disgustingly so, I've seen more folks at the top on Ben Nevis, and they want to stay for longer because it's a trek! Just over half an hour to the top for me and my punishing companion, and I did have appropriate walking boots- which I would recommend. Also, the views are lovely, don't block them with your face in selfies! read more

Truly Incredible! If you're a photographer, get up around 6AM and bring a wide angle lens and tripod to get an amazing view of the city and surrounding areas. I recommend an ND for Long exposures too. This is a free stop, but requires a lot of walking so make sure you bring walking shoes. read more

A big hill which if its a nice day you get panoramic views of Edinburgh and surrounding areas, it can be quite a walk to get to the top but worth it when you get to the top. read more

What an amazing place - a dormant volcano which you can walk to the top and feel like a superman! We started the climb from the bottom nearby car park at 630am and it only took us about 35 mins to reach the summit - there's a number of opportunities on the way to really check out the amazing scenery and of course getting great photo ops - especially the amazing sunrise! The only tough bit is the last few mins up to the summit but it's a fairly easy climb - it only took us 10 mins to walk back down! A great place to spend some time and what a great experience - check it out! read more

The hike up to Arthur's Seat is one of my most memorable days of 2015. When the weather is great (or at least decent) and you're in town -- do not miss this. What's really cool about getting to the top is the feeling that you're on top of a dormant volcano which is undeniably exciting, at least for me. The hike itself isn't difficult but you need to do some climbing up and get back down (which is scarier if you're not the biggest fan of heights). It's not something you can do after a few pints for sure, so make sure you do this first thing in the morning before heading out for a nice brunch. Highly recommended. read more

Arthur's Seat - The summit -- I made it and it felt pretty good. - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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It's not every day you can climb an ANCIENT VOLCANO that's fabled to be where CAMELOT once stood! One can reach the top in about an hour and if you're from Florida you feel pretty good conquering this "mountain" and by "mountain" I mean hill (822 ft), but in Florida terms anything over sea-level is a mountain to us! Exploring Arthur's Seat was the epic crowning point after visiting one of the greatest cities of my life. It was nice to get away from the majestic stone architecture and see the lush beauty Scotland possessed. The closer we approached the hill the colder the weather became. I was only wearing my thin sweater under my pea coat and didn't bring along a scarf or hat (This was May after all.) My ears were killing me from the cold wind and we hadn't even started climbing yet! To solve my ear problem I simply took off my sweater and wrapped around my head like a scarf. I'm sure I looked like a total dork, but at least my ears weren't stinging so painfully. We took a few photographs and I was resolute, " I going to conquer that damn mountain." The views became more stunning the higher we climbed. It was surreal how neon green the grass was in Scotland and the abundant yellow flowers on the hills complemented the grass perfectly. When we came upon this lake filled with swans, I couldn't believe it! I've never seen swans in real life except for at the zoo, it was so amazing seeing them in nature! I was so grateful God had given me this opportunity to see this much beauty and to do something as cool as climb Arthur's Seat. We have been learning about King Arthur in our British Studies class and we thought it would be funny to go back and brag to our classmates, "----Yeah, we climbed up Arthur's Seat last weekend.. but you know." Near the end I moved at a pretty slow pace, however, I was resolute to get to the top. It was also a nice incentive because I knew my ears wouldn't hurt so bad when we left. Once we finally arrived at the summit I was slightly disappointed. I guess I was expecting "Arthur's Seat" to actually look like a throne---or a seat---or something.... instead it was a bunch of concrete blocks on top of each other. That was it? It was terribly anticlimactic. The summit was also so windy I couldn't really enjoy it until I climbed down a little bit and found a spot out of the direction of the wind. The view of the land below was *dazzling.* As we were climbing down I saw all these patches of soft green grass which some couples used it to their advantage to have some quality romantic time. The climb back down was much faster than expected but we all needed to give our body some nourishment--- so we went to Chocolate Soup! The delicious hot chocolate and soup was a royal treat and warmed our souls and my poor ears :) read more

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Sunrise is around 840am so we started around 815. If we were here longer we would have tried multiple paths! Well worth the hike and such a rewarding view at top especially with sunrise. read more

Arthur's Seat is a centre point of Edinburgh, no trip to the city centre would be complete without giving this majestic place a visit. There are many lovely walks that can be taken in and around the area with nice spots to either chill near a pond and look at the wildlife or simply have a nice relaxing picnic. The hill itself is a pleasant climb with a many routes to the top to choose from each with their own sights to see aswell as a few ruins of Scottish history to see. If you manage to undertake the climb to the very top you'll be rewarded with some of the most picturesque visions of Edinburgh. read more

I'm not sure if Arthur's Seat gets the 5 stars or if Edinburgh gets 5 stars for having Arthur's Seat! Either way, we are very lucky to have a mini mountain in the middle of a buzzing city. Not only does it give us a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, but it gives us a tremendous view of the city below. It has become our tradition (and for many, many, many others as well) to walk up Arthur's seat on Christmas Day. The atmosphere is amazing, lots of families, locals, tourists, dogs.... all out, connecting with nature and with each other - can't think of a better way to spend Christmas morning. Whenever you choose to go up, be prepared for a proper hike. Sure it starts gentle, with a nice path but by the end, there is mud and rocks to be scrambled over. But it never fails, every time I go up, I always see a few people in their street clothes and inappropriate footwear trying their best not to get dirty (or to fall over). There are loads of different ways to go up - if you're not sure and don't want to end up on top of the Crags by mistake (still a good view but you don't get to take a pic with the Arthur's Seat markers) you can check out walking groups on the Meetup website - they have at least one free guided walk a week. There are also official guided walks run by Holyrood Park/Historic Scotland - info is on their website or at the little booth in the car park. Don't forget your camera - for your selfie at the top - and for amazing photos of the whole of Edinburgh. read more

Arthur's Seat - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Oh Arthur's Seat, what feelings I have associated with you! It's hard to miss when you're near Holyrood Park because it appears to be a huge, plateaued green hill (former volcano) in the middle of the park, looking over Edinburgh from the edge of the city. (OK, a local pointed out via Yelp message that it isn't actually the "edge" of the city, if you zoom out on a map, hah.) First, it's definitely worth the steep hike. It might be harder than you expect, but it's not super hard, even if you're not much of a hiker - granted as long as you're in reasonable health and are comfortable walking at the least. BUT, what does make it rather difficult is the unpredictable weather! When I arrived in Edinburgh on a Monday in mid-October, I decided that I'd take advantage of the sunlight by hiking Arthur's Seat the afternoon. When I started, the weather was still okay. Follow the signs at the bottom for the main path and when there's a fork on the path, follow the left-hand side. It's that simple! The bottom area is paved, but once you get near the top, it gets rockier and notably steeper - and that's when the rain started hitting. The usual heavy gusts of wind up there was present, too. A friend had told me that I wouldn't need to "climb" Arthur's Seat because it's not THAT hard, but...in the wet, that's exactly what I and some others had to do so we wouldn't topple off the stony hills. There was one point coming down where I was trying to take my time and did think I had steady footing, but instead I slipped and landed on my butt. So yeah, be very careful! Make sure you have the right gear. You don't need hiking shoes, but in the rain on steep, rocky terrain, I really wish I had them. The grip would have helped a lot. I did change into my North Face water-resistant windbreaker near the top, and I'm so glad I did. I realized afterward that helped keep me together (I was quite dirty by then, hah). The view up top was gorgeous though, and to breathe it all in is thrilling and invigorating. There was a moment near the very top when it wasn't raining so I squeezed in a panoramic, but hey, even when it rained, it feels good to make it up there...and kind of an end of the world feeling, haha. Take your time and enjoy it. read more

WHOA GET YOUR BOOTS ON! My group had a unique experience.... I have lupus, which I'm open about and MADE IT TO THE TOP (with several breaks). My mom made is almost to the very top and my brother and his fiancé are fit little beings and left us behind to photograph every angle. WEAR PROPER ATTIRE! My brother wore jeans - make sure yours have stretch in them - lets say his area was not very comfortable scaling rocks.... His fiancé's boot zipper broke - ladies... Don't wear your FASHIONISTA boots. I recommend a walking stick - helped my mom (who is 55 and a bit overweight to be honest) - BUT SHE DID IT Y'ALL - and boy was I proud of her! Not to mention all of the overly friendly locals who have strikingly PRECIOUS pups running around everywhere!! LOVED read more

Arthur's Seat - YAY! - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Ok, so no-one really knows the difference between Arthur's Seats and The Craigs... or even why it's called Arthur's Seat in the first place. But who cares, it's amazing. In my first year of uni I lived right next to this huge extinct volcano, so I've cimbed it a fair few times. I say climb, there are steps carved into the rock if you follow the main path up, so it's not too strenuous, but on my last trek up there it was on the adice of a friend who assured me it was a great hangover cure. It's definitely not. A clichéd as it sounds, the views from up here are easily the best in the city... and they won't cost you a penny. On a clear day, people say you can see right across the Firth Of Forth to the north and as far as the infamous Torness Power Station along the coast to the south, although you really need to pick a good day weather-wise. Speaking of which, the first rule of Arthur's Seat: it's always at least 5 oC colder up at the top than it is on street level. Fact. It's hard to enjoy such gorgeous views when your teeth are chattering and you genuinely believe you've got hypothermia! If you're in Edinburgh on bonfire night, skip the boring fireworks parties and get yourself up here. There are always a few other hundred people doing the same thing, and if you bring some beers and a rug to sit on you get to watch every fireworks display in the city for absolutely nothing. read more

Arthur's Seat - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Hiking Arthur's Seat was such a fun and crazy experience. We were hoping to get up before sunrise, hike to the top, and watch the sunrise over the city, but the weather did not really agree with us! It was raining the whole time, but we didn't care because it was just so beautiful. We made it up there, but it was completely foggy so you could not see anything - but still a very memorable experience. We heard from many Edinburgh locals that this is the best place to get a view of the city, so if you are able to go on a clear day, I'm sure it will be beautiful! The hike itself isn't too strenuous, especially in the beginning. However, some of the trail is not too wide on the edge of a cliff, which was not scary for me (probably because it was foggy and I could not see the bottom) but it might be for some. I'm very glad I had this experience. read more

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What a joy it is to walk the crags, especially in the snow! It was icy, and slippery, and it snowed as we were walking, and still so many people were there throwing snow balls and laughing and behaving like kids again :) Just as we were. There were crazy runners, one fell twice within a meter, because of the ice. Really, these amazing fatalists types, doing it no matter the circumstance. It was part inspiring, and part laughable. I was readying myself to go to their rescue if one of them fell and tumbled down the rough volcanic terrain. Oh, a good note: there is an old quarry of sandstone up there. Most of it is all volcanic rock, but this one part was pushed up and was used for a couple famous houses in Edinburgh. read more

Arthur's Seat - So much snow! - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Such an amazing thing to do for anyone coming to visit Edinburgh. Not something you get to do every day.

I could not recommend this high enough- the hike is incredible and the views are breathtaking. Absolutely amazing experience could not recommend high enough read more

Oh wow! What an amazing experience! Loved every minute of it. At every step and every turn there was something to enjoy and so much fun. I can see why it is the No.1 tourist attraction in Edinburgh. We approached the climb from the Commonwealth Pool, and was just amazed by the sight of it looming ahead of us. When we reached the bottom, the path forked out. Two people were standing at the bottom, who had just been up. We chatted to them, and they told us they took the path on the right, and said that was the harder climb and very steep and slippery. We could see the steep steps rising upwards. The path on the left should be the easier path, although they had not tried it themselves. Since I had height anxiety, we took the path on the left. It was only later, on the way down, we discovered that there is a third path which is even easier, and works were in progress to make it even more easier and safer. So in effect, we took the middle path. As we steered our course to the left path, we noticed someone was running up the steep path on the right! Wow! Our path had some slight slopes and muddy steps too, so it was not altogether too easy or too hard and we got some amazing views on the way, it was also quite narrow along some of the way, making it quite precarious if you walked too close to the edge. We passed three plateaus along the way, one with loads of horses grazing, another with some amazing views of Edinburgh, and as we climbed towards the third plateau, it got even more windy and sleet started to pelt us. However, at the third plateau, not only were we greeted with the beautiful views, a rainbow appeared. We could see a whole rainbow! That was just awesome! It was exhilarating to reach the top. It was windy though, I thought I would be blown away! We inadvertently took a different path down which lead to the car park of Holyrood Park, and this route seems to be the easiest as it dips into a valley between the mountains, so there are no views. Btw, we checked the hourly weather forecasts and it was supposed to be a sunny day in the morning but raining in the afternoon, but when we got off the bus at the Commonwealth Pool, it started to rain very heavily. Then half way up, there was sleet but when we reached almost to the top, it was glorious sunshine, with an added bonus of a rainbow! So the moral, do not believe the forecasts! Although I never do, even though I check it, just out of interest, I suppose! read more

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Arthur's Seat is one of those landmarks you simply have to visit (and one I simply had to review) - whether you want to climb all the way up to the top or not. In all seriousness, it is a long climb, but once you reach the top the whole climb should fade into insignificance as you appreciate the view you will have earnt. For those looking to minimise the amount of effort required and lucky enough to have a car or bicycle I recommend heading round to the car park at the back of Holyrood Park near Duddlingston Loch. From here it is fairly steep, but is the quickest and most easily navigable route to the top. In no time at all you'll either by lying on the floor exhausted or perched at the top gazing down at the glorious surrounding countryside. From here you are able to look at Edinburgh from several perspectives and at some points you'll hardly believe you're not miles from civilisation. The main thing to remember is your bearings as it can be easy to wander round and round in circles struggling to reorientate yourself so do stay aware of your location and surroundings. read more

Arthur's Seat - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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My hike to Arthur's Seat was one of the highlights of my visit to Edinburgh. Holyrood Park is not just a park, but a really serious set of hiking trails smack dab in the middle of a regional capital! We saw some great crags that just made me want to knock over a sports supply store, buy all the mountaineering gear, and go rock climbing. And the views of the city were just stunning throughout. There are many ways to get to Arthur's Seat depending on which side you choose to enter from. However, I suggest just using your intuition to just hike upwards until you get there. We had no map at all and managed it. We were warned that it was a little muddy and gloopy, but it didn't really affect us until the walk down, where we basically had to skip down the trail on semi-slippery rocks in a newly formed stream going down the mountain. I really enjoyed this and it makes me excited for my eventual return to Scotland to take advantage of the rolling countryside and also visit as many scotch distilleries as I can stomach. read more

Arthur's Seat - Summit marker - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Arthurs Seat is probably one of the main attractions of the city. It is not often you see a great big bloody hill in the middle of a city, but Edinburgh is no normal city after all. there are two parts to Arthurs Seat, The Crags and Arthurs Seat. Don't make the same mistake I did and climb The Crags thinking it was Arthurs Seat. Imagine my surprise. It's a nightmare climb yes, but hey it's only 20minutes of your life and trust me, it's worth it when you get up there. Ok, so it's a bit soul destroying when you are huffing and puffing up while spritely old men are jogging up past you...twice...but when you're there it's amazing. I used to go up all the time with my dad and our dog, it's a bonding experience and the dog is quiet for the rest of the day. However, I made the mistake once during a spur-of-the-moment trip up to the top wearing my new Ugg Boots. Bye bye ugg boots. in the summer it's a great place to toddle up to with your pals, bring a picnic, and in winter it has spectacular views. It's the best place to be during the fireworks, and is a really special place to take in the New Year with that someone special. It is a nightmare to get to the top, but it's simply dreamy when you're there (....see what I did there?) read more

Arthur's Seat - photo from google - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Don't underestimate the hike, depending on the trail it can be a doozy. My husband came here years ago and vowed he would take me here to the most beautiful place he's seen. He couldn't have been more right. The views are panoramic and spectacular of Edinburgh, the seas, and neighboring land. Be careful because it can be extremely windy and wear good shoes because it can get rocky. read more

Arthur's Seat - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

I came here with friends and we had an absolute blast. You can't not have a good time with the sightseeing of the city, ocean and the rest of the park. The way that the jagged rock has been carved is really unique. The day that we went on the hike, an extremely strong held us up as we stood at a pretty steep angle. The hike itself is pretty modest - I did it in loafers, so don't worry. Take your dog if you have one. read more

Arthur's Seat - Spectacular place to see a view - Hiking Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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This hike has a fairly steep incline, so be prepared for that. Some members of our party had to quit and turn around halfway up. But the view is so incredible, it is well with the aching calves. You can see the entire city and out to the water on a clear day. Just stunning. When you come down, The Palace at Hollyroodhouse is just across the street and there's a cafe on the castle grounds. The hike and the visit make for a perfect day to add to your itinerary. read more

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