
Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 111 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide worth booking?
Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide is a 2-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $33 per person. It scores 82 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 111 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 82 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (111)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $33 per person
On this tour up to Arthur's Seat, your friendly, knowledgeable and professional guide will lead you through Holyrood Park and talk you through the very distinctive natural, historical and geological sites you encounter on the way up. Holyrood Park is home to an extinct volcano, medieval religious sites, 3 lochs ("lakes") and a former hill fort. Following your climb up (and many photographs at the top) you'll be guided back down to Edinnburgh, finishing where the tour started. Get a bird’s eye view of Edinburgh (and Scotland) and experience Edinburgh like a local. Arthur's Seat is the city's No. 1 attraction on Tripadvisor. To hike Arthur’s Seat does take some physical exertion and those who join us should be confident in their fitness. This tour is great for those who love a good hike but want to learn more about Edinburgh and hear some interesting stories along the way. This tour is only suitable for individuals who can hike for 2 hours up steep hills.
What you get
About this experience
On this tour up to Arthur's Seat, your friendly, knowledgeable and professional guide will lead you through Holyrood Park and talk you through the very distinctive natural, historical and geological sites you encounter on the way up. Holyrood Park is home to an extinct volcano, medieval religious sites, 3 lochs ("lakes") and a former hill fort. Following your climb up (and many photographs at the top) you'll be guided back down to Edinnburgh, finishing where the tour started. Get a bird’s eye view of Edinburgh (and Scotland) and experience Edinburgh like a local. Arthur's Seat is the city's No. 1 attraction on Tripadvisor. To hike Arthur’s Seat does take some physical exertion and those who join us should be confident in their fitness. This tour is great for those who love a good hike but want to learn more about Edinburgh and hear some interesting stories along the way. This tour is only suitable for individuals who can hike for 2 hours up steep hills.
What's included
Included
- Professionally guided tour
Not included
- Rest room facilities
What you'll see and do
Arthur's Seat
Explore the 650 acres of green space we call Holyrood Park, located in the centre of Edinburgh. The highest peak in Holyrood Park is Arthur's Seat and we climb to the top of Edinburgh's most impressive hill on this tour. Please feel free to use the toilets in the Holyrood Palace Cafe before this tour starts, as there are not toilets on Arthur's Seat. On this tour you'll see the best views in Edinburgh, many types of wildlife, flora & fauna and a few medieval ruins might be in sight too!
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Meet your guide outside the King's Gallery entrance at the bottom of the Royal Mile , right in front of the Palace of Holyroodhouse (aka Holyrood Palace)
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet your guide outside the King's Gallery entrance at the bottom of the Royal Mile , right in front of the Palace of Holyroodhouse (aka Holyrood Palace)
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Local Eyes Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- 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
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 111 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Physical effort
9 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
111 verified traveler reviews for Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Not to be missed climb, views and commentary on the vistas of Edinburgh.
This was a highlight of our time in Edinburgh. Beautiful day, views, challenging climb (our guide showed us the most suitable route and brilliant commentary on what we were looking at.
via Tripadvisor
A Beautiful and Scenic Arthur’s Seat Hike
We really enjoyed our guided hike up Arthur’s Seat and were very glad we chose to do it with David rather than on our own. He picked a beautiful, peaceful route that felt surprisingly remote, even though we were still in Edinburgh. The hike was manageable, the scenery was gorgeous, and David shared lots of interesting facts along the way. The whole experience, including the ascent and descent, took around two and a half hours, and we had plenty of time at the top to enjoy the magnificent views and take photos without feeling rushed. A few practical tips: wear shoes with good grip, ideally hiking shoes, and bring layers and something windproof. Even if you feel warm walking up, it can be very cold and windy at the top. A bottle of water is also a good idea. There are no toilets on the trail, so use the facilities at the meeting point beforehand. We would absolutely recommend doing Arthur’s Seat with a guide. David made the hike much more interesting and memorable.
via Tripadvisor
Scenic tour with lots of local knowledge
David was a very friendly, knowledgeable guide and paced the group to its level with variable trails. He let us know the botany, areas seen and ways to discover them while we were in the area. A very scenic walk with lots of local knowledge. I would highly recommend him as a guide.
via Tripadvisor
A wonderful way to see Edinburgh!!
David was a great guide during the walking tour up and down Arthur’s seat. The pace was good and the information and history provided during the hike was excellent. I appreciated the quick stops along the way. It was such an amazing way to spend the morning and get a bird’s eye view of Edinburgh. Highly recommend! Do bring good walking/hiking shoes.
via Tripadvisor
Best way to see and hike Arthur’s Seat!
Wanted to hike Arthur’s seat on my own with a friend but thought it might be better to be accompanied by a local.. boy was that the BEST decision! We had a wonderful hike with David who was a delight! So informative not only of Arthur’s Seat but shared some great info of Edinburgh and surrounding area. So appreciated David navigating the best way up and down Arthur’s Seat while avoiding the crowds! Would highly recommend booking this experience with David- Just a great experience! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 39
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Local Eyes Tours, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 71.9.
See everything Local Eyes Tours runsWhy this scores 82
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide cost?
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Prices start at $33 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Edinburgh usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Edinburgh is not rushed.
Is Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 82 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 111 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide?
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Around 39 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Edinburgh can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Edinburgh and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Edinburgh within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Edinburgh?
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On Outty we rank every Edinburgh experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh, The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide?
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Included: Professionally guided tour. Not included: Rest room facilities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide?
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Meet your guide outside the King's Gallery entrance at the bottom of the Royal Mile , right in front of the Palace of Holyroodhouse (aka Holyrood Palace) Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Edinburgh: Arthur's Seat Hike with Local Guide?
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Across 111 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
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