Top Edinburgh Nature Walks

Looking for a change of scenery from Edinburgh’s Old Town, then this could be the walk for you. Led by a local expert, this walk will take you through the New Town of Edinburgh with its outstanding Georgian architecture and will include visiting the Dean Village and Royal Botanic Garden. See some of the city’s finest architecture and gardens, whilst being taken on the most picturesque routes rather than the standard tourist routes. Explore all these areas during the 4 mile route, and see the most photographable spots in Edinburgh that include Circus Lane and Dean Village.

Swap the crowds of the Royal Mile for a more intimate view of Edinburgh. This small-group tour takes you to some of the city's most atmospheric (and less-visited) neighborhoods, including the picturesque Dean Village. You'll discover hidden alleyways, quirky cafes, and historic buildings and take a wander along the city's only river.

Swap the rush of standard group tours for the chance to explore Edinburgh's history-packed Royal Mile at your own pace. Open this audioguide on your smartphone and let it lead you to the most-important landmarks while filling you in on the stories behind each. With your personal guide in hand, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles' Cathedral, and Edinburgh Castle, and explore narrow medieval lanes and a unique double-level street.

Embark on a self-guided journey to explore Edinburgh's historic heart, from the panoramic vistas of Calton Hill to the majestic St Giles' Cathedral. Delve into the city's rich past as you stroll the Royal Mile, uncover the stories of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and marvel at the architecture of Edinburgh Castle (entry ticket not included). This tour invites you to discover at your pace, revealing hidden gems and iconic landmarks, including Grassmarket Square and Greyfriars Kirk, enriching your visit with culture and history.

With a centuries-long history, the Scottish capital of Edinburgh has lots of different historic, cultural, and architectural hotspots for tourists to discover. Meet your guide at a central location near the Royal Mile and set out on a walk of the city’s storied streets on this half-day small-group walking tour.

Get both unrivaled views of Edinburgh and insight into local life on this hiking tour of Arthur’s Seat. A small group ensures you can walk at a relaxed pace, while trekking to the top of the capital’s highest hill with a guide ensures you don’t get lost and go off the path.

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.

Explore the magical streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town on a Harry Potter-themed walking tour! See the cafes where J.K. Rowling wrote, explore the castles and churches that inspired Hogwarts School, and wander the kirkyard that houses Tom Riddle’s headstone. This tour begins at Victoria Street, a colorful shopping area that inspired Diagon Alley, and leads you through the National Museum of Scotland, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and more, ending at Edinburgh Castle. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Edinburgh is known for its dark past, and this evening walking tour is the original one to showcase the city's historically sinister and spooky side. Discover the hidden ‘wynds’ (alleys) and closes of the Old Town as you learn their mysteries and horrors; visit the ghost-ridden Greyfriars Kirkyard; and explore the city’s underground vaults to uncover their spirits and secrets. Your tour is led by a creepily costumed guide to get everyone into the spooky spirit of things.

Hiking up Arthur’s Seat is a must-do adventure in Edinburgh for active travelers, but going alone at sunset—the best time of day—can be nerve-wracking. Join a guide and small group to ensure you don’t get lost on the way up or down in dim light. Admire views across Edinburgh and the Pentland Hills from this high vantage point as the sun sets and the sky turns golden.

This Edinburgh city sightseeing tour offers a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus experience with an open-top double-decker bus and audio commentary in multiple languages. Hop on and off at key stops including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Royal Mile. Buses run every 20 minutes with tickets valid for 24 hours from first use, providing flexible sightseeing at your own pace.

Hike through the stunning landscapes of Cairngorms National Park on this one-day Scottish Highlands walking tour. Starting from Edinburgh, this tour takes you through ancient forests, charming Dunkeld, and along scenic trails, led by expert guides. Enjoy a 2.5-hour hike covering 5.5 miles, where you might spot local wildlife and hear tales of Scottish folklore. Perfect for those with a moderate fitness level looking to immerse in nature and experience Scotland's rugged beauty. - Full-day guided hiking tour from Edinburgh to Cairngorms National Park - Scenic stop in Dunkeld and the Glenmore Visitor Centre - 2.5-hour hike with expert mountain leaders - Suitable for participants with some hiking experience

Delve into the city's storied past as you navigate its labyrinthine streets, guided by a fountain of historical knowledge. Along The Royal Mile, pass by landmarks like Mercat Cross and St Giles Cathedral, delving into the city's origins and the reverberations of the Reformation. Explore the Writers' Museum, housed within a venerable edifice, to unravel the tales of Scotland's literary luminaries. Behold the majestic Edinburgh Castle, steeped in centuries of history, and traverse the once macabre grounds of Grassmarket, now a testament to the Covenanters' fight for religious freedom. Journey to Greyfriars Kirkyard, where the gates of Covenanters Prison stand witness to the city's dark past of body snatching, before being uplifted by the heartwarming saga of Greyfriars Bobby. Conclude your odyssey at Calton Hill, basking in panoramic vistas that crown your immersion into the cultural tapestry of Old Town Edinburgh.

Explore the Royal Mile and its secret alleys on a journey where history comes to life. From the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, enter the old closets, narrow passages full of history, until you reach the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Visit iconic landmarks such as Bakehouse Close, Dunbar’s Close or James Court, as we discover the lives of key figures such as Allan Ramsay, David Hume or Patrick Geddes. You will also explore gardens hidden among the stone, small oases in the heart of historic center. An ideal experience for those looking to discover the most authentic and surprising side of Edinburgh.

Begin your walk at the towering Gothic spire dedicated to Sir Walter Scott — Scotland’s most famous author. Head east along Princes Street, then up the short but steep path to Calton Hill. See the National Monument (Scotland’s unfinished Parthenon), the Nelson Monument, and sweeping views of the Firth of Forth. This is one of Edinburgh’s top photography spots — you can see Arthur’s Seat, the Old Town skyline, and even the Castle. Descend back toward the Old Town and walk up the Royal Mile. Along the way, take in narrow closes (alleyways), traditional shops, and centuries of history in the buildings around you. Admire the crown-shaped steeple and stained glass of St Giles’ Cathedral, and don’t miss the Thistle Chapel inside — home to the Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s highest chivalric order. Outside, you’ll find the heart-shaped mosaic known as the Heart of Midlothian, marking the old Tolbooth prison — locals still spit on it for good luck.

Get out of the city and soak up the natural beauty of Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands on this day tour from Edinburgh. See wooded lochs and tucked-away villages as you journey through spectacular scenery en route to Glencoe and Fort Augustus. Enjoy a boat tour in search of the Loch Ness Monster and traverse the picturesque Cairngorms National Park. Travel in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a small group.

See the famous Hairy Cows in Edinburgh Join an Edinburgh-based Mountain Guide on a hike in the hills on the outskirts of the city Scotland's mountains are world famous, so a trip to the hills should definitely be on your to-do list when you're in Edinburgh. Experience the rugged beauty of some of Scotland's mountains as you hike through some of the country's most amazing landscapes. This short hike takes us far into the hills, where we often see rare wildlife, spectacular cityscapes, and incredible mountain views. We meet at Hillend, which is about 30 minites from the city centre. Our hike then takes us up to a high viewpoint, where we can see over the city and to the sea. We descend down the hillside where we can look for the local herd of Highland Cows grazing in their natural mountain environment. The cows live out on the hill 365 days a year and are kept as conservation grazers, helping to restore the natural ecology. Finish at Swanston Farm (lunch can bee booked)

Wildlife and history tour. Join me on an urban walk from the popular West End in the Heart of Edinburgh to the beautiful villages along the Water of Leith. Learn about the Water of Leith history which was the 'lifeblood' of the Capital back in the day. Meander with me along the banks of the 'Leith' and just relax whilst looking for amazing wildlife such as Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Heron, Deer, Otter and so much more. Binoculars, guide books and identification sheets available during the trip. A free 'wee dram' available on route for those that want to sample Scotch Whisky. We will have time to stop at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre. At journeys end in either Colinton, Juniper Green or Balerno why not explore the village and pop into a Hotel, Inn or Restaurant for a meal before heading back into town on Lothian Buses. Bus fare(s) included.

A fascinating day, accompanied by an expert guide, diving into ancient history of early medieval, Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of the North. A period known as the golden age of these Kingdoms. A chance to experience life in the 7th century with a visit to a replica of a Royal Palace in an architecturally awarded building followed by a private distillery tour and tasting. We then travel on to see the original site of the palace and tour discussing the archeological findings of the place. Followed by a visit to site of another royal palace. Visiting the actual sites gives true perspective on the importance of place in siting these palaces. To end this fascinating day we will travel to Lindisfarne, the Holy Isle to visit the home of the Lindisfarne Gospels and the bringing of Celtic Christianity from Iona, pivotal in the history of this time. All admission fees included, whisky flight and distillery tour. Travel in style in a V Class Mercedes with comfortable leather seats and air con.

Turning the streets of Edinburgh Into an Adventure Playground! Get a unique perspective of the Royal Mile/Old Town on this self-guided, interactive treasure hunt. It's the best way to explore the city! On your adventure, unlock a hidden trail by finding clues, solving puzzles and completing challenges, earning points along the way. During your Quest, discover the city's highlights, explore hidden gems, learn some fun facts about the places you visit and see things that most people just pass by. As the activity is all self-guided through the app, you can start your Quest when you want (must be played during daylight hours), there are no set starting/ending times. No groups to follow. You can go at your own pace, stopping for longer in one location, taking a break or having a snack in one of the many cafes and pubs along the trail OR you can make it a race and try to get to the top of the city leaderboard! Instant acess with nothing to print from home. Will you conquer the Quest?

Get out of Edinburgh's crowded city center and discover the wonderful nature that surrounds the Scottish capital. This guided tour takes you walking in the Pentland Hills, which are on Edinburgh's doorstop, yet largely overlooked by tourists. As you walk, your guide will fill you in on Edinburgh's natural and cultural heritage, as well as the geology of the hills.

Listen to Edinburgh’s grisliest tales on a haunted evening or night-time walking tour. Experience the ghastly histories of monsters, madness, and murder that cast a dark shadow on Scotland’s capital. See where witch trials, pagan rituals, and executions took place, then visit the chilling Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard cemetery to learn about body-snatching and some of the infamous individuals interred here.

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided audio walking tour of Harry Potter’s Edinburgh and trace the real places that inspired J.K. Rowling. Walk past Edinburgh Castle, George Heriot's School, Greyfriars Kirkyard, St Giles' Cathedral, The Elephant House, and Victoria Street, uncovering the stories behind the wizarding world. Along the way, hear fascinating stories about Edinburgh, Rowling, and hidden inspirations, which play automatically as you walk. Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t. Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location Travel at your own pace Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use No time limits or expiry, and free updates Like having a personal guide by your side on every step Purchase one tour per person, or listen together by sharing headphones or a speaker.