The sun was just rising as we stepped out of our accommodations near Holyrood Park in Edinburgh, Scotland. Golden streaks glinted off brick houses and cobblestone streets as the crisp morning breeze filled our lungs with an air of refreshing calm. Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano and the mythological site of King Arthur’s castle Camelot, rose up before us in the center of Holyrood Park. A magnificent spectacle itself, Arthur’s Seat is known as one of the best lookout points in the city, apart from the iconic Edinburgh Castle.
The peak is frequented by locals for cardio workouts and by tourists as a popular hiking spot with views made for Instagram. I still remember how it felt to climb that icy trail in the heart of November. It started out as stone stairs that, at times, devolved into a steep, less defined mud trail, all while the wind whipped my hair and clothes, chilling me to the bone.
But like any hike that ends with stunning views at the top, the trek up to Arthur’s Seat does not disappoint. It's a short but strenuous climb, and our effort was rewarded with lovely pink sunrise views over grassy hills and urban sprawl as far as the eye could see. We could even spot the North Sea glittering in the distance. It wasn’t difficult to see why the storied King Arthur would choose this spot as his palatial home.
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