Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
Caucasus - Geghard Monastery, Armenia
Armenia • 15 days, 14 nights
Caucasus Road Trip: Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia
from
View all trips
Loading...
Loading...
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Edinburgh Jacob's Ladder

Jacob's Ladder

This obscure walkway links Edinburgh’s Old Town with one of the city's prime vantage points.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Added By
SEANETTA ALLSASS
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Jacob’s Ladder.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Jacob’s Ladder.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Helen Miles Mosaic Graffiti   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Nelson’s Monument   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Nelson’s Monument   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Arthurs Seat & Salisbury Crags   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Jacob’s Ladder.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Jacob’s Ladder.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Jacob’s Ladder.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
‘Drama in Time’   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Jacob’s Ladder.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Jacob’s Ladder.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Jacob’s Ladder.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Jacob’s Ladder.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Jacob’s Ladder.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  Julius Spada / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Stairs in the center, Edinburgh High School background   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Unknown to many, this passage is a short-cut between Edinburgh’s Waverley Railway Station parking lot and the touristic Calton Hill.

A Jacob's Ladder is an 18th-century term that refers to the biblical story of Jacob and his dream of a rope step ladder stretching up to Heaven. The origins of Edinburgh's Jacob Ladder are first recorded in an article written in 1784, though it is thought to be much older than that.

This pathway, which cuts through volcanic rock, is thought to have had many different uses and configurations over time. Prior to the construction of the North Bridge in the mid-1700s, which connects the High Street with Princes Street, there weren't many ways for someone to get from the Old Town to the New Town. Jacob's Ladder allowed people and goods the ability to get in and out of the city more efficiently, without having to travel greater distances. This was especially handy because at the time, the Nor Loch, a body of water stretching along the full distance of Princes Street, prevented access to the docks in nearby Leith.

This trail also allowed mourners to get to the Old Calton Burial Ground, and was most likely the route prisoners were taken to reach the former Bridewell Jail. Tourists have been clambering up these steps for centuries to get unparalleled views of the castle, the city, and access to the monuments atop of Calton Hill. In 2018 and 2019, Edinburgh World Heritage invested £150,000 to transform the steps, which had fallen into disrepair.

Related Tags

Stairs Hidden Urban Planning

Know Before You Go

There are a series of 140 steps to climb, so unless you're fit and able, it is advised that you start at the top off Regent's Road, and work your way down to the bottom, ending up on Calton Road. At night, there are lights that will help guide you along your journey, but take note as this area was once known for its illicit activities prior to the refurbishment.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

SEANETTA

Edited By

linkogecko, rbenn250, Julius Spada

  • linkogecko
  • rbenn250
  • Julius Spada

Published

October 2, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://ewh.org.uk/jacobs-ladder-providing-safe-appealing-city-shortcut/
  • https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/whats-on/entertainment/edinburgh-s-jacob-s-ladder-to-be-reborn-after-150-000-makeover-1-4879158
  • https://www.historyscotland.com/news/historic-jacobs-ladder-reopens-connecting-the-old-and-new-towns-of
Jacob's Ladder
Jacob's Ladder
Calton Road
Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 8DL
United Kingdom
55.95302, -3.182233
Get Directions

Nearby Places

'A Drama in Time'

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Canongate Kirkyard

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Governor’s House

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Nearby Places

'A Drama in Time'

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Canongate Kirkyard

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Governor’s House

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Related Places

  • Panaji, India

    Panaji's Heritage Steps

    These colorful staircases can be found around Goa’s capital.

  • Spanish Steps

    Washington, D.C.

    Spanish Steps

    A terrace reminiscent of Rome's Spanish Steps is tucked away in a little park in Washington, D.C.

  • Public Utility Conduits of Ginza

    Tokyo, Japan

    Public Utility Conduits of Ginza

    Peer into this window for an interesting glimpse into the public utilities that make this city run.

  • Acequia Madre.

    Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

    Acequia Madre

    The remains of a centuries-old water system that inspired local legends of secret tunnels.

  • Spirit of Justice Park.

    Washington, D.C.

    Spirit of Justice Park

    A secret greenspace hides atop a Capitol parking garage.

  • Puente General Méndez Vigo.

    Coamo, Puerto Rico

    Puente General Méndez Vigo

    This ''hidden'' 19th-century bridge played a simple, yet important role during the Spanish-American War.

  • The underlying River Farset causes the clock tower to tilt.

    Belfast, Northern Ireland

    River Farset

    Belfast's namesake river still winds below the city center, hidden from sight.

  • The monument.

    Houghton le Spring, England

    Penshaw Monument

    The nearly 200-year-old folly has a secret spiral staircase hidden in one of its pillars.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.