8 of the best · Edinburgh, Scotland
The Best Walks in Edinburgh
The Royal Mile from castle to palace, Victoria Street to the Grassmarket, the Water of Leith from Dean Village, Arthur’s Seat, Calton Hill at sunset and Circus Lane.
Our 8 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Insiders' picks
Three we return to, chosen by people who know Edinburgh’s closes, crescents and quaysides.
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Self-guided
The Royal Mile: castle to palace
Down the spine of the Old Town, from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, by St Giles’ and the closes.
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Self-guided
The Water of Leith: Dean Village to Stockbridge
The riverside path from Dean Village, under Dean Bridge, past St Bernard’s Well to Stockbridge.
The full list: Walks, A–Z
Show all 8 places on a map
Self-guided walks 8
Old Town, river and hills.
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Self-guided
Arthur’s Seat
The climb to the top of the old volcano in Holyrood Park, for the view over the city and the Forth.
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Self-guided
Calton Hill at sunset
A short climb from Waterloo Place to the monuments and the best view of the castle and the Old Town.
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Self-guided
Circus Lane and Stockbridge
The curving mews lane of Circus Lane and the shops and Sunday market of Stockbridge.
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Self-guided
The Royal Mile: castle to palace
Down the spine of the Old Town, from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, by St Giles’ and the closes.
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Self-guided
The Union Canal towpath
The flat towpath west from Fountainbridge along the Union Canal.
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Self-guided
The Water of Leith: Dean Village to Stockbridge
The riverside path from Dean Village, under Dean Bridge, past St Bernard’s Well to Stockbridge.
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Self-guided
Victoria Street and the Grassmarket
The curving street of coloured shopfronts down to the Grassmarket, under the castle.
