Arthur’s Seat: Highlights, access conditions, time required, and how to get there

Contents

Highlights of Arthur’s Seat
Basic information about Arthur's Seat
How to get to Arthur's Seat
Arthur’s Seat highlights

Highlights of Arthur’s Seat

Arthur's Seat is a popular hiking spot in Edinburgh. It is unusual to find such a substantial hiking spot in the city center.

Origin of the name

Arthur's Seat is also said to have been a base of King Arthur, but the historical facts are unclear.

Holyrood Park

Arthur's Seat is a hill in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Nearby are cliffs called Salisbury Crags and scenic spots such as St Margaret's Loch. The entire area is maintained as Holyrood Park. Holyrood Park adjoins the grounds of Holyrood Palace.

For information on the highlights, opening hours, tickets, and more at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, please see the article below.

Holyrood Palace: Highlights, opening hours, tickets and access

Based on official information and an on-site visit in October 2026, we explain the highlights of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, including the State Apartments, the remains of Holyrood Abbey and the gardens, as well as opening hours, admission prices, tickets and access from Edinburgh Waverley station.

Queen's Drive and Salisbury Crags

The road that circles the outer edge of Holyrood Park is called Queen's Drive (Queen's Dr). Jogging or cycling along Queen's Drive also looks like it would be very enjoyable.

This is a view looking up from below at the cliffs known as Salisbury Crags.

Path to the summit and nearby highlights

We climb the slope toward the summit of Arthur's Seat.

Calton Hill is visible in the distance straight ahead.

For information on Calton Hill’s highlights, opening hours, time required, and more, please see the article below.

Carlton Hill: Things to See, Opening Hours, Time Needed, and Access

We explain attractions such as the Nelson Monument, the National Monument and the Dugald Stewart Monument on Carlton Hill, along with access to the hill, based on official information and on-site research as of 10 2026.

These are the remains of St Anthony's Chapel. They are believed to have been built before the 15 century, but no precise records appear to have survived.

St Margaret's Loch. Ducks, swans, and geese live here.

We finally reached the summit of Arthur's Seat.

Overlooking Dunsapie Loch and the Firth of Forth.

This is a view of Salisbury Crags from above. Edinburgh Castle can be seen in the distance on the left.

For information about the highlights of Edinburgh Castle, opening hours, tickets, and more, please see the article below.

Edinburgh Castle: Highlights, opening hours, tickets and access

Using official information and on-site research as of October 2026, we explain highlights of Edinburgh Castle, including the Royal Palace, Crown Jewels and One O'Clock Gun, along with opening hours, admission prices, tickets and access from Edinburgh Waverley station.

It is a one-of-a-kind landscape where a historic cityscape listed as a World Heritage site coexists with untouched nature.

Basic information about Arthur's Seat

The information below was checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.

🔗 Official website: You can check visitor information and current access restrictions here.

Plan your visit
Information to help you plan a visit to Holyrood Park in Edinburgh.
www.historicenvironment.scot
📍 Location: Queen's Drive, Edinburgh
🕒 Access status: Holyrood Park is open 24 hours a day year-round. Radical Road has access restrictions because of falling rocks, and the official park rules state that the section from Hawse to South Quarry is open. The same page still contains a general closure notice, so check the signs on site before entering.
💶 Admission: Admission is free.
⏱️ Time required: A typical walk from the Holyrood Palace side to the summit and back takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. ⚠️ Expect rocky sections, steep climbs, sheer drops and slippery surfaces. Wear shoes with good grip and allow enough time to descend before sunset. If you combine the walk with St Margaret's Loch or Salisbury Crags, allow extra time.

How to get to Arthur's Seat

This route enters Holyrood Park from the side of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and heads toward the summit.

Edinburgh Waverley StationFromthe Palace of Holyroodhouseallow about 14 minutes on foot to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, then about 3 minutes south to the park entrance, and about 1 hour each way from the entrance to the summit of Arthur’s Seat. If you have time, you could also extend your walk to nearby St Margaret’s Loch, Dunsapie Loch, or Duddingston Loch.

On foot and by bicycle

The High Road is closed to cars and motorcycles, but pedestrians and cyclists walking their bicycles may use it. Duddingston Low Road is closed to vehicles because of the risk of rockfall; pedestrians may use it, but cyclists must dismount and walk their bicycles. The current official notice also states that the road and footpath will be closed to all users on 10/15 from 9:00 to 16:00. No year is specified. Before setting out on your hike, check the conditions of roads and paths in the park and choose your route accordingly.

Roads and car parks

Find out about the roads and parking at Holyrood Park

Arthur’s Seat highlights

It is a Western jackdaw. It looks as though it is wearing a gray scarf around its neck.

For attractions, transport and suggested itineraries, see “Edinburgh: A Guide to Attractions, Food, Transport and Suggested Itineraries”.

Edinburgh: A Guide to Attractions, Food, Transport and Suggested Itineraries

We explain Edinburgh’s attractions, including Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town, as well as access, local transport and suggested itineraries, based on official information and local research as of October 2026.