Hiking and walking are great ways to discover the unique landscapes of Scotland – including the world-famous Scottish Highlands.
Do you enjoy walking and hiking in beautiful scenery? Immersing yourself in ancient and historical landscapes? Exciting wildlife encounters and wild weather? You’ll probably love hiking in Scotland. Check out my guided walks in Scotland or read on to learn more…
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Scotland’s varied walking
With incredibly varied scenery, a relatively small population and wonderfully progressive access laws, Scotland is a great place for exploring the outdoors on foot. Centuries-old ruins, strange-sounding placenames and ancient paths invite curious walkers. In addition, our uniquely varied geology has formed rich farmland, impressive waterfalls, rugged mountains, world-class beaches and astounding rock formations. As a result, wonderful walks can be enjoyed all over Scotland from the Southern Uplands to the Northern Highlands. The trails can vary from smooth, clearly-marked paths to vague, rough and slippy tracks, plus there’s a wealth of winter walking too (see Winter hill walking on Britain’s frozen summits).
Scotland’s varied hiking is due in no small part to it’s geology. This country is actually one of the most geologically diverse pieces of land anywhere on the planet. And all these different types of rock lead to different scenery, weather, vegetation, land use, and hence history. Scotland is also very ancient. To illustrate, the rock that makes up the Outer Hebrides, or Western Isles, came into existance back when life was only just beginning on Earth.
The best hiking in Scotland
As we have seen, Scotland has plenty of great options for walking and hiking of all kinds. And, with such a diversity of landscapes in a relatively small area, it can be hard to choose a route. However, for the vast majority of people, it is the awe-inspiring scenery and wild open spaces of the Scottish Highlands that offer the best hiking in Scotland. See below for a quick overview of some of the most famous locations.
One of the pleasures for me as a walk leader in the Scottish Highlands, is leading people off the path. This famous ‘right to roam’ depends on responsible behaviour. Leaving the path isn’t appropriate all the time, but when it is OK, it really highlights a sense of wilderness!
Glencoe walks
As well as the infamous 17th century Glencoe massacre, this area is also much-visited for it’s jaw-dropping mountain scenery. Although not a huge region, it does boast some of the most well-known views in Scotland and walks such as the Lost Valley, Devils Staircase and Signal Rock are long-standing favourites.
The Cairngorms
The Cairngorms National Park is a huge place, with five of Britain’s highest mountains (including Ben Macdui), ancient pine forest and gorgeous riverside walks. Generally not quite as midgy as on the west coast, the Cairngorms offers styles of walking to suit everyone. There’s plenty of good wildlife and historical sites, plus a good range of cakeshops too! Many villages have their own wee network of trails. For starters, check out my guide to walks near Aviemore, which includes well-known routes such as the Burma Road, Loch an Eilean and the Green Lochain.
Ben Nevis
Britain’s highest mountain (1,345 m/4,413 ft) is a big day out, whichever way you look at it. The popular walking route is referred to as the ‘Tourist Path’, but those in the know think that dangerously misrepresents it! Although there is no climbing involved, it is long, exposed and requires life-or-death navigation on the summit plateau in bad weather. The views and sense of achievement are stellar, though.
Scottish mountain rescue
Emergency help in the Scottish mountains is provided entirely by volunteers, coordinated by the Police, with helicopter support from the Coastguard. Learn more about Scottish Mountain Rescue.
Hiking on Scotland’s islands
In contrast to hiking in the Highlands of Scotland, walking on the islands allows you to explore their different cultures, history, wildlife and landscapes.
Isle of Skye
Big, beautiful and banging weather. The Isle of Skye has walks all over the place, ranging from coastal hikes to some of the most challenging mountain ridges in Europe. As well as some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, it does also have a reputation for being gnarly, wet and midgy! If you’re up for a challenge, check out the Quirang, The Old Man of Storr and Loch Coruisk (although they can be busy). The Fairy Pools, Glen Sligachan and Portree are all easier alternatives.
Arran
One of many Scottish Islands, but the only one ever referred to as ‘Scotland in Miniature’. Arran is mountainous in the north, rolling fields and seacliffs in the south, green in the middle and beautiful everywhere. Oh, and it has great history and wildlife too.
Harris
If you love Caribbean-style beaches without the crowds (or the temperatures), then explore Harris. Life is slow-paced here, so respect the locals and their way of life. But they are welcoming, passionate about their land and great at seafood.
Shetland
Shetland takes some effort to get to, but it’s worth it as long as you’re not looking for forest walks! If you love marine wildlife, coastal walking, sea cliffs and history, this archipelago is a blast.
Long distance walks in Scotland
The Highlands and Islands offer many of the most popular hiking destinations in Scotland. But the other regions also offer plenty of interest. Long distance routes are a good way to explore these areas, for example the Speyside Way, John Muir Way, the West Highland Way, the Southern Upland Way and Hadrian’s Wall. Although the terrain is usually not too technical, completing these in one trip is best suited to beginner or intermediate hikers.
Bothies and boulders
Scotland has no mountain huts or glaciers. What we do have, however, is a wonderfully diverse network of stone valley shelters called bothies and a landscape full of impressive glacial features (for example, massive boulders known as glacial erratics).
Tips for hiking in the Highlands
Look at any large-scale map of northern Scotland and you will see miles and miles of remote mountain terrain and far-flung islands. Here, you can find hundreds of summits, vibrant Gaelic culture and great Scottish wildlife. The weather is famously changeable, so wear layers which will help you stay cool or warm as needed. There are times when you will need UV protection (actually, more often than you might think!). Although our mountain streams are generally very clean, I would still recommend carrying enough water to stay hydrated, especially in spring and summer. Unfortunately, you may also run into midges and ticks, so be prepared! For more Highlands of Scotland hiking tips, see below…
Plan your walk carefully
Account for unexpected weather and terrain. Shelter and phone signal can be in short supply, so it pays to be able to look after yourself.
Right of responsible access
Scotland’s access rights give walkers a lot of freedom – as long as they are behaving responsibly. This means protecting wildlife, removing litter and preventing wildfires.
Learn important skills
Navigation and first aid can realistically save your life in the mountains. Get the right gear and learn the basics to keep you and others safe. Check out the Hiking Essentials post.
Invest in decent kit
A good waterproof jacket and baselayer will help keep you safe and comfortable and well-fitted boots will help you avoid blisters. Check out our guide on what to wear for hiking and planning your hiking kit list.
Learn about your surroundings
A lot of Scotland’s fascinating wildlife and history is hidden in plain sight. Find out more about Wildlife in Scotland.
Hill walking and ‘Munros’
‘Hill walking’ is one of those unique, somewhat quaint British terms. Everywhere else in the world would call this ‘mountain hiking’, or simply just ‘hiking’. Anyway, for us Brits, it mainly means walking in the mountains, with the aim of collecting a summit or two (at least). As mentioned above, weather is always an important consideration in the mountains. This is especially true in Scotland where our mountain weather can be as extreme as in many of the greater mountain ranges in the world. One thing you don’t have to worry about here, though, is altitude acclimitisation!
The ‘Munros’ consist of the 282 mountains in Scotland over 3000ft (914m) in height. Many people enjoy the challenge of walking to these summits and, perhaps, completing the whole list. They usually involve a good day’s walk, with some summits requiring far more skill, effort and time to reach than others. Certainly, if you like list-ticking and fancy a Scottish hiking challenge, then ‘munro bagging’ is a biggie.
As we have seen, hillwalking in Scotland is big on interest, challenge, scenery and weather! However, it is important to go prepared, to get the most out of the day. Whether you are just starting out on bagging your first Munros, or planning a busy season of winter ascents, there is plenty of walking to enjoy!
Discover Cairngorms high points and more
282 Munros are currently recognised by The Munro Society.
Imagine being on a mountain and seeing a huge human shadow projected on the clouds below you, surrounded with a shining rainbow. That’s a Brocken Spectre – an unusual optical phenomenon sometimes seen by mountaineers when the sun is low in the sky.