Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags Circular
Edinburgh
Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags is one of Edinburgh's most dog friendly walks, offering a proper hill experience right in the heart of the city. This circular route takes in the dramatic basalt cliffs of Salisbury Crags before climbing to the 251m summit of Arthur's Seat, rewarding you and your dog with sweeping views across Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians.
Dogs can run freely across most of Holyrood Park, though the steeper rocky sections near the summit require some care with less agile breeds. The main paths are well maintained but the final push to the top is steep and rocky. Parking is available at the Holyrood Palace car park, costing around £1 per hour on weekdays and free at weekends. There are no formal facilities on the hill itself, but cafes and toilets are nearby at the Scottish Parliament and Palace entrance.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.7 km (2.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Peak, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Cafes and toilets at the Scottish Parliament visitor centre and Palace of Holyroodhouse.
- Parking
- Car park near Palace of Holyroodhouse; approximately £1/hour weekdays, free at weekends.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags Circular dog friendly?
Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags scores a solid 7.5 out of 10 for dog friendliness, making it one of Edinburgh's best walks to do with a dog. The route through Holyrood Park offers plenty of space to explore, though the steeper, rockier sections near the summit mean it's worth thinking about how your dog handles uneven terrain before you go.
Can dogs be off lead at Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags Circular?
Dogs can run freely across most of Holyrood Park, and there's good off-lead potential throughout much of this circular route. The rocky sections near the summit require a bit more care, so you may want to keep less agile or smaller dogs on the lead as you approach the top.
What should I know before visiting Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags Circular with my dog?
The final climb to the 251m summit is steep and rocky, so it's worth being realistic about your dog's fitness and agility before tackling it. There are no facilities on the hill itself, but cafes and toilets are available nearby at the Scottish Parliament visitor centre and Palace of Holyroodhouse. Parking is easy at the car park near the Palace — around £1 per hour on weekdays and free at weekends.
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