Last Updated on eleventh June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
The title of ‘City of Seven Hills’ normally refers to Italy’s capital Rome, nevertheless, there are lots of cities that declare to be based on seven hills, Edinburgh included. A sweeping panorama of volcanic hills encompass Scotland’s capital, all of that are inside strolling distance from the town centre and provide a world of journey for all ranges of strolling potential. Here’s your information to the seven hills of Edinburgh, and methods to get pleasure from among the finest viewpoints of the town!
Edinburgh’s Seven could be accomplished inside the area of the day for many who are strolling fanatics, having fun with the town from nearly each angle at every summit. The whole route round all seven hills is estimated to be round 27 kilometres, which means it will take round 5-6 hours with out stopping to hike all of them.
That being stated, the hills are finest loved at a leisurely tempo when you absorb the panoramic vistas of Scotland’s endlessly stunning inexperienced metropolis!
Castle Rock
One of the defining options of Edinburgh is its imposing fort, which sits excessive above the remainder of the town atop an enormous rock often called Castle Rock. This volcanic plug within the coronary heart of the town is estimated to have shaped over 350 million years in the past and in the present day, due to the fort strategically constructed upon it, it’s one of the iconic options of Edinburgh’s skyline.
Edinburgh Castle is well essentially the most well-known of all of the castles in Edinburgh and has been inhabited constantly since at the least the late Bronze Age, nearly three thousand years in the past!
The views from Castle Rock are merely gorgeous, the most effective are from inside the fort grounds itself. However, for those who don’t need to pay entry to go to the fort you’ll be able to stroll alongside the esplanade as much as the primary gates at no cost and luxuriate in views overlooking each the North and South of the town.
Calton Hill
Described as Edinburgh’s Acropolis, among the most necessary historic monuments and statues of the town could be discovered atop Calton Hill. It’s additionally probably the greatest hills within the metropolis to spy all the most important landmarks of Edinburgh together with Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Palace, the Scottish and much out throughout to Cramond Island, the River Forth and past.
The most well-known (and distinctive) of the monuments on Calton Hill is the National Monument, which was based mostly on the design of the Parthenon in Athens. Built as a tribute to the Scottish troopers who died within the Napoleonic Wars, the construction was by no means accomplished and stays half-finished.
This spot is just not solely standard amongst vacationers however locals too, all year long (when it’s not raining in Edinburgh) you’ll see teams of individuals sitting out with a drink having fun with the sunshine or wrapped up tightly in coats, patiently awaiting the dramatic sunsets.
Arthur’s Seat
Visible from miles round, on the coronary heart of Scotland’s capital metropolis lies the enchanting Arthur’s Seat, the primary peak of the seven hills that has an elevation of 251 meters excessive and is an extinct volcano that erupted over 340 million years in the past!
This magnificent hill is located in Holyrood Park, subsequent to the King’s official Scottish residence Holyrood Palace, which is simply on the backside of the well-known Royal Mile. It is an iconic landmark and one of many finest issues to do when visiting Edinburgh. Near the beginning of the walk-up, you’ll additionally spot the mysterious 14th-century ruins of a medieval chapel!
From the summit, hikers are greeted by mesmerising vistas overlooking Edinburgh’s altering skyline, with Gothic-style structure coming out and a mix of the trendy that’s been launched. The stroll solely takes round 1 hour in whole, so though steep, it’s thought of to be a reasonably straightforward to average stroll.
Next to Arthur’s Seat is Salisbury Crags, that are a lot simpler to climb and nonetheless provide gorgeous views, this stretch of rocky slopes is a part of the volcanic panorama that makes up Holyrood Park.
Blackford Hill
Another inexperienced oasis of the town the place you’ll be able to stroll to the highest is Blackford Hill, which is residence to a pond, a tranquil forest and an abundance of communal allotments that sit slightly below the hill. Blackford Hill has an elevation of 164 meters and boasts spectacular views overlooking Edinburgh to the north, and the Pentland Hills to the south. It’s a very standard spot for canine walkers!
Braids Hills
The southernmost of the seven hills of Edinburgh, the Braids Hills are located simply throughout from Blackford Hill and is a giant expanse of inexperienced area that’s largely occupied by golf programs, which means strolling by means of the pedestrian paths could be a little scary! The Braids Hills are additionally an excellent standard spot for individuals to go sledging throughout snowy intervals.
Craiglockhart Hill
Certainly one of many lesser-known of the hills, Craiglockhart includes two summits, Easter and Wester Craiglockhart, that are often called one of many seven hills of the town. The hills are 158 and 175 meters in peak and from the highest, you’ll be able to get pleasure from views overlooking Blackford Hill, the Pentland hills within the distance and numerous residential suburbs of Edinburgh.
A small pocket of peace, in 2004 this hill was designated an area nature reserve. Walking by means of the woodland path to succeed in the summit of Craiglockhart you’ll come throughout an attractive pond which is brimming with nature and wildlife and the fascinating terrain of a golf course.
Corstorphine Hill
This is essentially the most westerly of Edinburgh’s seven hills, providing a tranquil woodland stroll within the residential suburbs of the town, the hill is 161 meters in peak making it the fourth highest of the hills and a straightforward sufficient climb to its summit.
Corstorphine Hill is located subsequent door to Edinburgh Zoo, which means its generally doable to see wallabies of their enclosure which sits subsequent to the trail!
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Charlotte is a photographer, cat lover and an avid knitter. When she’s not curled up on the couch together with her latest knitting mission (and Rico her cat!) you’ll find her out and about on lengthy walks. Currently residing within the magical metropolis of Edinburgh, she seems to be ahead to travelling and seeing extra of the world!