Top Hikes in Scotland

Best Hikes in Scotland

Scotland is a hiker’s paradise with its breathtaking scenery from craggy shores to dramatic rolling moorlands. Hiking in Scotland is virtually a spiritual experience! With travelers looking for more remote, rural getaways in the UK because of corona Scotland offers a wealth of hiking options. Take a hiking holiday and avoid the crowds. Scotland is crisscrossed with hike trails and walks along cliffs, up mountains, and into glens. Scotland hikes vary from coastal hikes to mountain and valley hikes. Scotland has it all. Hike Scotland this year!

Most challenging Hikes in Scotland

Slioch

Hike to the peak of Slioch (Spear) Mountain in Western Ross and enjoy the views across the jagged peaks and valleys. This challenging Scotland hike takes you to the summit of Slioch at 981m above sea level. From the peak take a walk along the ridge to the mount’s second peak where the views are breathtaking.

The West Highland Way

One of the best hikes in Scotland, and one of the longest. The trail travels north from Milngavie to Fort William. It is a well-signposted hike trail with well-maintained paths. The entire trail stretches for 154km/95 miles. Check out the guided walks offered by About Argyll, a dedicated team that can get you to remote areas.

Easy Hikes in Scotland

Glenfinnan Viaduct Hike

This is a short but interesting walk with spectacular scenery and site of the dramatic Glenfinnan Viaduct. In some places, the hike can be steep, but novice hikers can travel this 4km/2.5-mile-long trail easily.

Fairy Pools

If you want one of the easy hikes in Scotland but you still want a challenge, then this hike offers a 6.67km/4-mile trail that can take 2-3 hours to complete. Situated on the Isle of Skye, in Glen Brittle, they are a series of small waterfalls that pour into chilly pools where the fairies bathe. You’ll be rewarded with the sight of the magnificent Fairy Pools.

Best Coastal Hikes in Scotland

Achmelvich Beach

Take this Scottish Highlands hike along the Assynt coast in northern Scotland. Start at Achmelvich Beach car park and meander along the coastline. On route, you’ll see pristine stretches of sand, hidden coves, the remains of an old mill, and Europe’s smallest castle, Hermit’s Castle.

It is an easy hike unless you head towards the castle. The area around Achmelvich Beach is famed for its wildlife and you may spot seals, otters, eagles, whales, and even sharks! Continue from Achmelvich Beach across the peninsular to Lochinver Village.

Best Long Distance Hikes in Scotland

West Highland Way

Follow this classic Scotland hike along the West Highland Way from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William, ending at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Along this 96 mile/155km route, you’ll pass Loch Lomond, the mystical Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, and the Devil’s Staircase, a rocky 10km ridge.

This is a multi-day hike that can take between 4 to 8 days. You’ll see diverse landscapes and unique flora and fauna. The route is well-traveled and you can find amenities along the way. There is even a baggage service so you can send your luggage ahead.

Scottish National Trail

This epic hike stretches 864km from Kirk Yetholm to Cape Wrath. You can take the entire hike or split it up into sections. This Scottish hike is along footpaths and intersects with other famous Scottish hike routes including Great Glen Way, Southern Upland Way, Clyde Canals, Rob Roy Way, and the West Highland Way. The landscape changes as you progress from the Scottish Borders to the far northwest with the most challenging stretch of the route being at the end.

Best Island Hikes in Scotland

Isle of Eigg, Summer Isles

Eigg (pronounced Egg) is the largest of the Small Isles in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, famed as Britain’s most eco-friendly isle. This hike takes you up to the island’s highest point on An Sgurr. An Sgurr has a dramatic sheer cliff that makes me think of the Lion King! The mount was formed by lava over 58 million years ago and towers 393m.

The route to the top is fairly straightforward but steep and rocky in parts. Get to Eigg by ferry from Mallaig (limited summer service) and the route starts directly from the ferry landing. In winter this Scottish hike can be treacherous and you’ll need crampons and even an ice-ax. While on the isle you can hike to the Massacre Caves.

Coffin Roads, Isle of Harris

This could also fall under the “Best Scotland Beach Hikes” section as the hike takes you along Coffins Road. Pallbearers carried the dead along this ancient route to the burial site.  This is a circular hike starting and finishing at Leac a Li. This is basically an inland route, but you will get to walk along some of the best beaches in Scotland. You’ll enjoy the sight of grassy plains, moorlands, craggy sea cliffs, and stunning beaches like Luskentyre Beach. Look out for the local eagles.

Coolest Hikes in Scotland

Lovers’ Stone, St Kilda

This is definitely one of the coolest hikes in Scotland. It is remote but visited by many travelers wanting to get a selfie on Lover’s Stone. Lovers’ Stone juts out above the Atlantic 135m/42 feet above the water. Legend has it that many years ago Scottish men would stand out on the stone, balancing on one leg to prove their love to a lass. Today it is one of the most popular places to propose marriage. So if your boyfriend suggests this cool Scotland hike, you know why.

Best family hikes in Scotland

Duncryne Hill, Loch Lomond

For a family hike, you need easy, short, and interesting. This hike has all of those things. It will only take about 40 minutes to do the round-trip hike up to the top of Duncryne Hill and back again. From the summit, you’ll have views across Loch Lomond. Nearby is the quaint village of Balloch.

Loch an Eilein, Cairngorm National Park

Families and inexperienced hikers can enjoy this Scotland hike in Rothiemurchus Forest. Walk through the forest of Caledonian pines and be rewarded with a view of the island’s 13th-century castle. The hike takes you around Loch an Eilein. This is an excellent spot for picnics.

Top hikes in Scotland

Loch Lomond and Cowal Way, Argyll

This is a long remote scenic hike from Portvadie on the Cowal peninsula to Inveruglas, Loch Lomond, a huge fresh-water lake. The route is one of the most famous hikes in Scotland. It covers sweeping Highland passes, sea-lochs, forests, and waterfalls. It should take about 6 days (56miles/90km) to complete the entire hike but you can split it up into smaller sections or extend it by joining the West Highland Way, Three Lochs Way, or Kintyre Way.

Rob Roy Way

This is another of the most famous hikes in Scotland, not to be confused with the Rob Roy Hike in New Zealand. This famous hike in Scotland stretches for 127km/79 miles from Drymen to Pitlochry, crossing the Highland Boundary Fault where the Highlands meet the Lowlands.

The route follows in the footsteps of 18th-century Scottish folk hero, Rob Roy (Robin Hood) and takes you into the heart of enchanting Scotland. On route, you’ll pass Loch Lubnaig, Loch Tay and Loch Earn plus the villages of Callander, Aberfeldy, Killin, and Pitlochry. Also see Roman viaducts, stone circles, forts, and ancient bridges. If you want to know more about the area go to “Visit Dunkeld” where there is a wealth of information.

Scotland Hikes by Location

East Scotland Hikes–The Fife Coastal Path: is on an east coast peninsula about 30 minutes from Edinburgh. The route covers 117 miles/188km from Kincardine Bridge in the south to Tay Bridge in the north. It can take about a week to cover the entire route, stopping in the East Neuk villages and St Andrews.

Dundee Hikes–Monikie Park: Just on the edge of Dundee is this peaceful park created around two former reservoirs. There are several hike routes in the park which has a bird sanctuary, striking scenery, and plenty to do for a couple of hours. If you’re looking for day hikes in Scotland, this is it.

Balmaha Hikes–Conic Hill: This is the best-known Balmaha hike. It is a circular route of 3.4km/2 mile with a gentle ascent to the summit that looks over Balmaha, Loch Lomond, and several of the nearby islands. The path includes a stretch of steps and if you want to take a longer hike, join up with the West Highland Way.

Blairgowrie Hikes–Loch Beanie: Near Blairgowrie and Rattray, Perth, and Kinross is this circular hike route covering 4.8km/2.9 miles to the shore of Loch Beanie. The path is not very well prepared and you may find yourself bogged down on the moors.

Glasgow Hikes–Cathkin Braes: Enjoy the quiet of Glasgow’s highest point. This historic and scenic hike is just one of the walking options in Cathkin Braes which covers the Ochi Hills, Campsie Fells, and Ben Lomond. You’ll have views across the city and mountain peaks, through grasslands, woodlands, and scrub. Cathkin Braes hike stretches 5.5km/3.4 miles in a figure eight and is one of the most beautiful day hikes in Scotland.

Callander Hikes–Ben Gullipen: This hike can be 3-6 miles/4.8-9.6km depending on the route you take through the magical forests. This route is steep in places, but it is perfect for beginner hikers or intermediaries. The Callander hike starts at Bridgen Cannander or A81. Another local hike is the Bracklinn Falls and Upper Crags hike.

Inverness Hikes–Glen Affric: With the title of the most beautiful glen in Scotland, Glen Affric can be hiked from the Glen Affric car park or for a longer route take the 10-mile (16km) circular hike. The South Loch Ness Trail is another great Inverness hike. One of the most famous hikes in Scotland, the Caledonia Way ends in Inverness.

Glencoe Hikes–Buachaille Etive Beag: This is a Munro hike great for inexperienced hikers which takes you up the steep trail of Buachaille Etive Beag for magnificent views. The hike can take about 5 hours starting from the Beehive car park in Glencoe. Aonach Eagach and Lairig Gartain are two other popular Glencoe hikes.

Fort William Hikes–The Great Glen Way: This 60-mile-long (96km) hike travels from Fort William to Inverness past incredible sights like Neptune’s Staircase, Ben Nevis and Loch Ness. It is one of the most famous hikes in Scotland.

Edinburgh Hikes–Arthur Seat Hike: After less than an hour’s walk from Holyrood Park, get views across the city from the top of this extinct volcano. Tip–catch the sunset or sunrise from Arthur Seat. For a longer Edinburgh hike travel about half an hour to the starting point of the 117-mile-long (188km) Fife Coastal Path which stretches from Kincardine Bridge to Tay Bridge via St Andrews.

Aberdeen Hikes–Formartine and Buchan Way: Start this Aberdeen hike in nearby Dyce and travel the 64km/40 miles route for 3-4 days to Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. On the route, you’ll pass some of the area’s most beautiful countryside.

Central Scotland Hikes–The Hermitage, Perthshire: In the Big Tree country explore the woodlands of Perth where there are several trails including this one starting at The Hermitage car park and following the Braan Path for about 2 hours. Not always on the list of best hikes in central Scotland, but it is definitely one of the most convenient.

Scotland Highlands Hikes–Duncryne Hill, Loch Lomond: This is quite an easy Scotland hike famed for its unrivaled scenic views from the top of Duncryne Hill. It is a very short hike of less than an hour(2km/1.25miles) and you’ll have the place to yourself as it is not as well known as other Highland hikes.

Hiking Scotland

If you find hiking Scotland trails daunting to do on your own, then look at the website Wilderness Scotland. They offer guided Scotland hikes and self-guided walking tours where you can go hiking Scotland with 24 support, luggage transfers, maps, and route notes. Also, consider a guided Scotland tour with Get Your Guide.