What is the current status of Edinburgh's Radical Road?

The Radical Road, a historic hiking path in Edinburgh's Holyrood Park, has been closed since 2018 due to a 50-ton rockfall, with years of debate and indecision over how to safely reopen it.

When is the Radical Road expected to partially reopen?

A partial reopening of the Radical Road is planned for 2026, after Historic Environment Scotland completes up to £2.4M in rockfall mitigation measures, including fencing and earth embankments.

How has the Radical Road closure impacted Holyrood Park?

The closure of the Radical Road has led to increased visitor pressure on the wider trail network in Holyrood Park, causing the paths to become "highly degraded". Park rangers have also seen a surge in incidents, dealing with 314 issues in 2023 compared to 162 in 2018.

Home / Environment / Holyrood Park's Beloved Radical Road Shuttered for Years Amid Rockfall Risks

Holyrood Park's Beloved Radical Road Shuttered for Years Amid Rockfall Risks

11 Nov

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Summary

Iconic Radical Road in Edinburgh closed since 2018 due to 50-ton rockfall
Closure sparks years of debate over reopening the historic path
Partial reopening planned for 2026 after £2.4M in rockfall mitigation measures

Holyrood Park's Beloved Radical Road Shuttered for Years Amid Rockfall Risks

In 2025, Edinburgh's iconic Radical Road, a historic hiking path offering breathtaking views of the city, remains shuttered after being closed in 2018 due to a 50-ton rockfall. The closure has sparked years of rancor and indecision over how to safely reopen the beloved trail.

The Radical Road, set high along the cliffs of Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano, has long been a draw for visitors to Holyrood Park, Edinburgh's most important open public space. But the narrow, rocky path has faced recurring rockfall issues, with a 100-ton fall in 2011 and five temporary closures in the two years before the 2018 incident.

After the 2018 closure, park operator Historic Environment Scotland (HES) lacked a clear policy on acceptable rockfall risks. A new risk assessment in 2024 found that three sections of the Radical Road presented unacceptable danger, with one area having a one-in-4,886 probability of a fatal rockfall.