Edinburgh Volcano Hike: Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill Guided Tour

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Edinburgh, Scotland

Great choice

10+ bookings last month.

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

What's Included

Professionally guided tour
Small group (Maximum 10)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

29 Waterloo Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3BQ, UK
Please meet at the corner of Howies and the cobbled Calton Hill street on Waterloo Place.

End point

The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse
Palace of Holyroodhouse, Canongate The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, UK
The walking tour will finish at the King's Gallery which is at the bottom of the Royal Mile outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Itinerary

Calton Hill

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Palace of Holyroodhouse

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Holyrood Park

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Arthur's Seat

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 19 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Great Tour

Jacqueline_P, Jun 2026

Lewis was a great tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. I really enjoyed being shown the sites on Calton Hill. The hike to Arthur's Seat wasnt too hard or too easy. It was the right amount of challenge and the view was worth it.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you so much for the wonderful review! That's great to hear you had such a great time and enjoyed my friendly, knowledgeable approach. Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat offer some of the absolute best perspectives of Edinburgh, and I am so glad the hike felt like the perfect, rewarding challenge for you.

Our tour guide, Luis, was...

Kate_M, May 2026

Our tour guide, Luis, was great! We learned a lot and enjoyed the 360 views at the top of Authurs Hill.

Response from Host, May 2026

Kate, thank you for review. That's great to hear how you found the tour guide, Lewis, to be great, and enjoyed the panoramic views from the summit.

Work the hike!

Kolleen_H, May 2026

You need to be in good shape. It's a hike! My sister and I did this and while it was quite manageable I could see how people of average fitness might struggle. Also wear good shoes. Now for the good part, the vistas were amazing. This is why we hike yes?! You can see the entirety of Edinburgh from this peak and to get a history lesson along the way was fantastic.

Response from Host, May 2026

Kolleen, thank you for your feedback. I am glad to hear how you and your sister both enjoyed the amazing views that are well worth the route to the summit, and found the historic stories fantastic.

The hike felt like...

Maria_S, May 2026

The hike felt like stepping into a living storybook—one where every ridge, ruin, and winding path carried centuries of history underfoot. From the moment we set out, the landscape unfolded in dramatic layers: rolling green hills fading into mist, ancient stone walls tracing forgotten boundaries, and distant lochs reflecting the ever-changing Scottish sky. It was breathtaking on its own, but what truly elevated the experience was the depth of history woven into every step. Our guide Lewis brought the trail to life in a way no map or sign ever could. Rather than simply pointing out landmarks, they told the stories behind theme. Standing among the ruins of old crofts, it was easy to imagine the lives lived there, thanks to the vivid way our guide connected the past to the present. What made the experience especially memorable was the guide’s genuine passion. Their knowledge was impressive, but it was their enthusiasm and warmth that made everyone feel engaged and welcome. Questions were encouraged, conversations flowed naturally, and there was a perfect balance between storytelling and simply soaking in the scenery. It never felt rushed; instead, the pace allowed us to truly appreciate both the physical beauty and the cultural richness of the hike. By the end, it didn’t feel like just a walk through the countryside—it felt like a journey through time, guided by someone who truly loved sharing it. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after your boots are off, and one I’d recommend to anyone looking to connect more deeply with Scotland’s landscapes and history.

Response from Host, May 2026

Maria, thank you for your top feedback. That's great to hear how much you enjoyed the walking tour provided by Walks with Lewis.

Wonderful Trekking

Mariela_Z, May 2026

My daugther and I have really enjoyed the walking tour to Authur's Seat and Calton Hill with Lewis. He shared many interesting stories throughout the walk, explaining the history of these places. Additionally, he carried walking poles which were helpful for those who have no experience with hiking.

Response from Host, May 2026

Mariela, thank you for your kind feedback! That's great to hear how you and your daughter enjoyed the full experience walking up Calton Hill and Arthur's Seat, being guided by Lewis.

Great guide for a super worth it hike

Carolina_B, Mar 2026

Super 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.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Carolina, thank you for your complimentary review. That is great to hear how you both had a wonderful time.

Top class tour with a top class guide!!

Yvonne_R, Feb 2026

It 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!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Yvonne, thank you for sharing your experience with us. That's great to hear that it was one of the highlights of your weekend. I totally agree with your feedback about the footwear required. I would strongly recommend using footwear with a strong grip for this tour.

Very pleasant afternoon

Tracy_B, Nov 2025

Lewis 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.

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Tracy, thank you for your pleasant review. I am thrilled to hear that you highly enjoyed the experience and all the services that were provided.

Couldn’t Have Asked for a Better Guide!

Allison_F, Oct 2025

We 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!

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Allison, thank you for leaving such a positive review. I am delighted to hear that the walking tour surpassed both you and your friends expectations. Providing a professional walking tour while ensuring customers are comfortable and supported at all times is at the heart of what I do. Your feedback reassures me that I am on the right track.

Walk with Lewis

Jen, Aug 2025

This activity especially walking up to Arthur Seat at the end is quite a workout. Our guide Lewis had rest stops along the way which was great. The view of the city was awesome!