Salisbury Crags and St Anthony's Chapel Circuit

The Salisbury Crags circuit is a short loop of about 4 km across Holyrood Park in Edinburgh, Scotland, taking one to 1.5 hours with roughly 120 m of ascent. It begins at the Holyrood Palace end of the park near Horse Wynd, about 15 minutes' walk down the Canongate from the Royal Mile. Lothian Buses serve the Pleasance and Holyrood area nearby, and there is no permit or fee; the park is run by Historic Environment Scotland. The route climbs from the park edge onto the top of Salisbury Crags, a line of dolerite cliffs formed by volcanic activity, and follows the cliff-edge path with wide views over the Old Town skyline, Calton Hill and the Firth of Forth. The path surfaces are a mix of compacted dirt, eroded rock and grass, steep in places, with a sheer drop beside the top path, so exposure is the main hazard rather than technical difficulty. There is little shade. The circuit then descends towards St Margaret's Loch, where the ruined 15th-century St Anthony's Chapel stands on a spur above the water, a good spot for a pause and for photographs. Walkers can extend the route towards Arthur's Seat or turn back to the Holyrood entrance, which is the natural turn-around point. There are no huts, shelters or water points, so water should be carried. The lower Radical Road path beneath the crags has been closed since 2018 rockfalls, and the crags themselves are not for scrambling; the Historic Environment Scotland website gives the current status. Children and dogs should be kept close to the cliff edge. In strong wind or icy conditions the top path should be avoided, and walkers can stay on the lower tracks or around the loch instead. The circuit suits visitors with limited time who want city views without a full hill climb.