Field guide
Planning an Arthur’s Seat hike in Holyrood Park
Official information for an Arthur's Seat hike in Edinburgh. Find park hours, access rules, toilet locations, and regulations for Holyrood Park.
Holyrood Park is Edinburgh's largest greenspace. The park is roughly circular and about a mile in diameter, containing the summit of Arthur's Seat.
This page provides official information for planning a run or hike. It covers park access, path details, facilities, and visitor rules.
Official facts at a glance
- Park size description
- Edinburgh's largest greenspace, roughly circular and about a mile in diameter
- Park address
- Queen's Drive, Edinburgh
- Park opening hours
- Open 24 hours a day, year-round
- Toilets opening hours (seasonal)
- April & September: Daily, 8am to 5pm; May: Daily, 8am to 6pm; June to August: Mon-Wed, 8am to 5pm, Thu-Sun, 8am to 7pm; Oct to March: Daily, 8am to 3pm
- Entry fee
- Free to visit
- Toilets location
- Next to the Holyrood Park Education Centre, on the north side of the park, behind the Palace of Holyrood House
- Dog rules
- Dogs welcome, owners must clean up, follow signs for leads in certain areas during nesting season
- High Road access for cyclists
- Dismounted cyclists can still access the High Road
- High Road cycling system
- One way system is in place for cyclists on the High Road
- Radical Road southern section access
- Visitors can explore the southern section, nearest Duddingston, including Hutton's Section, Hutton's Rock and the South Quarry
Sources: Holyrood Park (historicenvironment.scot), Plan your visit (historicenvironment.scot). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Park access and hours
Holyrood Park is located at Queen's Drive, Edinburgh. The park is open 24 hours a day, all year. There is no fee to visit.
Routes and paths
Visitors can explore the southern section of the Radical Road, which includes Hutton's Section, Hutton's Rock, and the South Quarry. The High Road has a one way system for cyclists. Dismounted cyclists can also access the High Road.
Park rules and facilities
Dogs are welcome in the park. Owners are required to clean up after their dogs. During nesting season, signs indicate certain areas where dogs must be on a lead.
Public toilets are located next to the Holyrood Park Education Centre, on the north side of the park behind the Palace of Holyrood House. The opening hours are seasonal. April and September: 8am to 5pm daily. May: 8am to 6pm daily. June to August: 8am to 5pm Monday to Wednesday, and 8am to 7pm Thursday to Sunday. October to March: 8am to 3pm daily.
Before you go
- The park is open 24 hours, but public toilets have specific seasonal hours.
- Entry to the park is free for all visitors.
- Dogs are permitted but must be cleaned up after, and leashed in some areas during nesting season.
- The High Road has a one-way system for cyclists.
- The southern part of the Radical Road is open for visitors to explore.
Nearby options: running and active spots in Edinburgh. All cities: City running and hiking guides.