What to know before hiking Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh

If you're visiting the magical city of Edinburgh, one of the top things to do while you're in town is hike Arthur's Seat. At 823 feet high, the dormant volcano gazes across the city to where it curls into the sea, providing climbers with some serious eye candy. Rumored to be one of the possible locations of Camelot, the peak packs both visual allure and historical mystique - and conquering it should be included on any itinerary in the Scottish capital.

Headed to the top? Here's what to know before you go:

It's easy to get to - and free!

Arthur's Seat is nestled within Holyrood Park, a 5-mile royal park teeming with glens, cliffs, lochs, and ruins to bring a taste of the Scottish Highlands to Edinburgh. Entrance to the park is open to the public and completely free!

It's only about a 20-minute walk to the park from Edinburgh Castle via the Royal Mile. By car, it takes 7 minutes.

Allow at least two hours for the hike.

Getting to the summit of Arthur's Seat involves a steady, relatively easy climb over a dirt trail. While it doesn't take very long to reach the top, you’ll definitely want some time to stop and enjoy the views along the way! Allot around two hours total for the excursion.

There are multiple ways up to the top, but the most popular route is clearly marked by signposts (and crowds.)

Bring a jacket.

Even during the warmer summer months, you'll want one to fend off winds - it can get gnarly up at the top!

Wear sturdy shoes.

Though the hike itself isn't very challenging, there’s some unstable footing, particularly towards the summit. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes with good support.

Prepare for some amazing views.

Edinburgh is filled with beauty, and several cool lookout points from which to soak all of it up; Arthur's Seat is by and large the best one.

From the moment you start the hike to the time you reach the summit, you're surrounded by vistas of lush hills, crumbling ruins, and rugged cliffsides. At the top, feast your eyes on panoramic views of both city and sea, including landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. It's a dosage of unparalleled magic in a city of medieval magnetism. You'll love every minute!

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Interested in planning a trip to Scotland? It’s one of my favorite places in the world! Send me an e-mail and let’s figure out how to get you there.

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