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In the spring of 2013 my wife and I were working in different parts of the world. She was in England for four months and I was continent-hopping between southern Europe, Africa, and North America.
In March we found time to rendezvous in the United Kingdom for two weeks. Through a series of events, we found ourselves briefly stranded in Edinburgh, Scotland during a spring snowstorm that shut down the trains in and out of the city. What started as an inconvenience that disrupted travel plans, ended up being a blessing. It allowed us to truly immerse ourselves in a beautiful, historic city. We embraced the culture, made new friends, and had one of the most memorable experiences of our lives.
Even with the unusually cold temperatures and the wet weather one would expect to encounter in the area, we still made it a point to get in a hike. Arthur’s Seat is one of the most prominent peaks in the area and offers a real Scottish hillwalking experience in the confines of a large city. The hill itself was formed by an extinct volcano and has some surprisingly rugged sections. Don’t be deterred though, the summit is accessible for a variety of abilities including children, as long as you use precautions for loose exposed rock, unpredictable weather and potential high winds.
Although there are a number of trails in and around Arthur’s Seat, the main access is via a 3.8 km (2.4 mi.) loop beginning at the access near The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s residence when she is in Scotland. However, to get the full Edinburgh experience, I recommend beginning your trek in the city. Starting at Edinburgh Castle, walk the entire Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace, where you can access the loop via The Radical Road Trail to take you to the summit. Follow the clear footpath as you gain elevation. When nearing the summit, depending on exactly how you access it, you may encounter some light scrambling on exposed rock. The summit at 251 m (823 ft) and is marked by a stone monument. Here you can enjoy a complete 360° view of the city. You can either return the same way you came up or loop around the other side.
Hike Stats:
Total Mileage: 3.8 km (2.4 mi) without Royal Mile extension
Elevation Gain: 180 m (590 ft)
Total Elevation: 251 m (823 ft)
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate