Hike Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
This tour is a fantastic opportunity to explore some of the most historic and best-preserved areas of green space in the UK.
Firstly, this walk will take you to Calton Hill with its historic monuments and spectacular views. Then see Holyrood Palace before entering Holyrood Park, Edinburgh’s finest park with thousands of years of natural and human history.
The climb will then begin to the summit of Arthur’s Seat (251m/823ft), using the most relaxed and picturesque route. Be rewarded with stunning panoramic views from the peak across Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside.
The descent will take in further historic sites and wildlife prior to concluding the walk.
The walk is at a gentle pace and includes plenty of stops to admire the views and historic sites. Perfect for individuals and groups of all ages interested in seeing Edinburgh’s amazing landscape and hearing about its history.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Calton Hill
Discover the range of towering landmarks and top photo spots.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
View this magnificent palace from the outside and learn about its history and current ownership from King Charles III.
What‘s Included
Visit to historic landmarks on Calton Hill
Peaceful and picturesque route away from the main tourist path
Local Expert Guide
Panoramic views of Edinburgh and surrounding countryside
Guided walk up Calton Hill and Arthur's Seat
Plenty of stops for rest and photography
Options
Hike Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Grand Time around Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill
M1812SUryanb,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had an absolutely amazing time! The tour was beautiful and our guide, Lewis, was an upstanding man! He's very knowledgeable about the area and the history of the locations we saw. If my legs weren't still on fire 3 days later, I'd love to hike up again!
Arthur’s seat tour
Marieccf,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lewis is a knowledgeable guide, whiling to answer questions and share his passion for Scotland. The tour was very well organized.
Fantastic experience!
784ishitak,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was such a great tour! Lewis had the most interesting facts and made the entire experience so fun and easy. He let us hike at our own pace, without any rushing which made it so comfortable and all the more enjoyable. Great experience with great views!
Great guide for a super worth it hike
Carolina B,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Super friendly and knowledgeable guide! 100/10 would recommend his tour. Very patient on the hike up, answered all our random questions, and kept the energy light the whole time. We had a wonderful time.
Lewis was a great guide
berniac2026,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lewis was a great guide; he had a lot of information about both the city of Edinburgh and key points (plants, wildlife, etc.) along the hike to Arthur's Seat. The meeting place and drop-off were convenient - we booked Holyrood Palace tickets for our post-hike activity. The hike is definitely a challenge, so wear good trail/hiking shoes and bring water, but Lewis was great at setting a good pace and giving us time to take photos.
See above
Z2105OHkatrinar,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lewis was a very pleasant, personable and patient guide. It was obvious to us that he enjoys sharing his love of local history and knowledge with a group. The tour was interesting and varied, and definitely a lot of fun! Would highly recommend Lewis and this tour.
Great Experience
Carlo G,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience with Lewis. Very knowledgable, kind, and patient. He is willing to answer all of your questions cheerfully. The tour was great! The sights were spectacular. I highly recommend this tour. If you go in the winter, like I did, I recommend bringing hiking shoes and a jacket. It can get cool up on Arthur's seat.
Top class tour with a top class guide!!
Yvonne R,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It helps if you have a good level of fitness although Lewis did go at a good leisurely pace. Definitely choose the right footwear not just for the comfort level but the paths (depending on the weather, I did it in late January and wore my hiking boots where muddy and slippy in parts). Plus as you reach the summit it is very rocky and it helped to have a good grip! Lewis is so knowledgeable and interesting! I learnt so much about all the areas we walked through before heading to start of Holyrood park such as Carlton hill and all the wonderful buildings plus the surrounding area across Edinburgh and then Holyrood palace! We lucked out with weather so it helped I was weathering layers and the sun shone through the whole route and you can see for miles! Amazing!! Definitely worth booking this trip than doing it solo!! Thank you Lewis for a brilliant 3 hours and one of the highlights of my weekend!
Very pleasant afternoon
Tracy B,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Lewis was a very knowledgeable and friendly guide. He knew several routes and took me on the most manageable for me, being very patient along the way. He could answer all my questions and at the end of the tour was kind enough to set me in the right direction for my hotel. A very enjoyable afternoon.
Couldn’t Have Asked for a Better Guide!
Allison F,Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an incredible experience hiking up Arthur’s Seat with our guide, Lewis. From start to finish, he was a solid and reliable guide — organized, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the area. He took time at several points along the way to share stories and history about Edinburgh and the landscape, which made the hike so much more meaningful. Partway up, my friend began experiencing anxiety as the climb got steeper, and Lewis couldn’t have handled it better. He was calm, kind, and supportive — never rushed us and made sure she felt safe and comfortable every step of the way. Thanks to him, we were able to finish the hike and really enjoy the experience. We could not be happier with how the day went and would absolutely recommend Lewis to anyone visiting Edinburgh!
From £26.00
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