30+ Popular Hiking Trails In Scotland For Every Adventurer 2024

Why Hike In Scotland?

Top Picks For Every Hiker

• Best for Beginners: Arthur’s Seat, Fairy Pools, Uath Lochans.
• Most Challenging: Cape Wrath Trail, Five Sisters of Kintail, Fisherfield Six.
• Family-Friendly: Pink House Walk, Glenfinnan Viaduct Loop.
• Hidden Gems: The Bone Caves, Fairy Glen and Castle Ewen.

1. Ben Nevis (Mountain Track And CMD Arête)

• Location: Fort William, Highlands
• Difficulty: Hard
• Distance: 15.9 km (Mountain Track) or 17.7 km (CMD Arête)
• Highlights: Ben Nevis, the tallest peak in the UK, offers two primary hiking routes. The Mountain Track is more straightforward, while the CMD Arête route features a knife-edge ridge for thrill-seekers. Both provide breathtaking views over Loch Linnhe and the surrounding mountains. Ensure proper preparation, as the weather can be unpredictable.

2. Fairy Pools

• Location: Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 4.2 km
• Highlights: The Fairy Pools feature enchanting crystal-clear waterfalls set against the Cuillin Mountains. This trail is steeped in Scottishfolklore, with legends of selkies frequenting these mystical pools. It's a short, family-friendly hike suitable for all levels.

3. Arthur’s Seat

• Location: Edinburgh
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 4.3 km
• Highlights: Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcanic peak, towers over Edinburgh and offers panoramic views of the city. Located within Holyrood Park, this hike is ideal for visitors seeking a quick escape into nature without leaving the city.

4. Quiraing Circuit

• Location: Isle of Skye
• Difficulty: Hard
• Distance: 6.8 km
• Highlights: A photographer’s dream, the Quiraing Circuit showcases surreal rock formations and sweeping views of the Trotternish Ridge. The trail is challenging but immensely rewarding, with its dramatic landscapes offering an otherworldly experience.

5. The Cobbler (Ben Arthur)

• Location: Arrochar Alps, Highlands
• Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
• Distance: 11.6 km
• Highlights: Known for its triple-headed peaks, the Cobbler is a favorite among hikers. The rocky summit provides thrilling scrambles and stunning views of Loch Long and the surrounding mountains.

6. Stac Pollaidh

• Location: Northwest Highlands
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 5 km
• Highlights: Despite its modest height of 613 meters, Stac Pollaidh offers some of the most incredible views in Scotland. The trail loops around the mountain, showcasing Assynt’s rugged beauty and the Summer Isles in the distance.

7. Glenfinnan Viaduct Loop

• Location: Glenfinnan, Highlands
• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: 4.3 km
• Highlights: This iconic route offers panoramic views of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, famously featured in the Harry Potter films. It's a gentle hike perfect for families, with options to extend for more adventurous walkers.

8. Five Sisters Of Kintail

• Location: Kintail, Highlands
• Difficulty: Hard
• Distance: 15.2 km
• Highlights: Five Sisters Of Kintaildemanding ridgeline hike takes you across three Munros, with views of Loch Duich and the surrounding peaks. It’s a long and strenuous day hike, suitable only for experienced hikers.

9. Cape Wrath Trail

• Location: Fort William to Cape Wrath
• Difficulty: Very Hard (Multi-Day)
• Distance: ~386 km
• Highlights: Often dubbed the toughest hike in the UK, this unmarked trail traverses remote wilderness, passing through Knoydart, Assynt, and Torridon. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for seasoned hikers with the proper gear and navigational skills.

10. Uath Lochans

• Location: Cairngorms National Park
• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: 4 km
• Highlights: Hidden within dense Caledonian pine forests, the Uath Lochans trail offers peaceful views of small lochs and gentle climbs to scenic viewpoints. Look out for red squirrels and other wildlife.

11. Blà Bheinn (Blaven)

• Location: Isle of Skye
• Difficulty: Hard
• Distance: 8 km
• Highlights: Blà Bheinn (Blaven)known for its stunning ridgeline views, Blà Bheinn is one of Skye’s most iconic Munros. From the summit, hikers can enjoy panoramic vistas of the Cuillin Ridge and the surrounding islands.

12. Old Man Of Storr

• Location: Isle of Skye
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 3.9 km
• Highlights: One of Scotland's most famous landmarks, the Old Man of Storris a towering basalt pinnacle set against stunning coastal views. The hike is moderately steep but accessible, offering iconic photo opportunities and breathtaking scenery.

13. Bone Caves Of Assynt

• Location: Inchnadamph, Northwest Highlands
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Distance: 5 km
• Highlights: This fascinating hike takes you through a beautiful valley to ancient limestone caves that once sheltered animals like polar bears and humans thousands of years ago. Ideal for history and geology enthusiasts.

14. Conic Hill

• Location: Balmaha, Loch Lomond
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 4.2 km
• Highlights: Offering one of the best panoramic views of Loch Lomond and its islands, Conic Hill is a relatively short but steep climb. It’s a perfect introduction to hiking in Scotland, especially for families and beginners.

15. Fisherfield Six (Including A’ Mhaighdean)

• Location: Northwest Highlands
• Difficulty: Very Hard
• Distance: ~30 km (Multi-Day)
• Highlights: Known as the most remote Munros, these six peaks are a formidable challenge even for seasoned hikers. A’ Mhaighdean, often cited as Scotland’s most beautiful mountain, rewards hikers with unrivaled views of the wild northwest.

16. Pink House Walk (Loch Glass)

• Location: Easter Ross
• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: 5.6 km
• Highlights: A serene hike through forests to the distinctive Pink House (Culzie Lodge) on the edge of Loch Glass. The trail is family-friendly and offers picturesque views of Ben Wyvis and the surrounding landscapes.

17. Glen Affric Circuit

• Location: Glen Affric
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 18 km
• Highlights: Known as one of Scotland’s most beautiful glens, this trail offers a mix of woodland, waterfalls, and lochside views. It’s an excellent choice for experiencing Scotland’s natural beauty and wildlife.

18. Meall A’ Bhuachaille

• Location: Cairngorms National Park
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 8.7 km
• Highlights: This well-marked trail offers incredible views of the Cairngorm Mountains, Loch Morlich, and ancient Caledonian pine forests. It’s a great introduction to mountain hiking in Scotland.

19. West Highland Way

• Location: Milngavie to Fort William
• Difficulty: Moderate to Hard (Multi-Day)
• Distance: 154 km
• Highlights: Scotland’s most famous long-distance trail, the West Highland Way, takes hikers through diverse landscapes, including Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and Glencoe. It’s a must-do for anyone seeking a full immersion in Scotland’s wilderness.

20. The Old Man Of Hoy

• Location: Orkney Islands
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Distance: 10 km
• Highlights: This scenic coastal hike leads to the iconic 137-meter sea stack on Hoy, the tallest in the UK. The dramatic cliffs and sweeping ocean views make it a memorable adventure.

21. The Cateran Trail

• Location: Perthshire and Angus
• Difficulty: Moderate (Multi-Day)
• Distance: 103 km
• Highlights: This circular trail passes through glens, forests, and farmland, showcasing the Highland Boundary Fault. It’s an excellent option for those seeking a mix of history, culture, and nature.

22. Blaven Via Clach Glas

• Location: Isle of Skye
• Difficulty: Very Hard
• Distance: 8 km
• Highlights: This thrilling scramble route offers one of the best ridge traverses in Scotland, combining dramatic views and a technical climbing experience.

23. St Magnus Way

• Location: Orkney Mainland
• Difficulty: Moderate (Multi-Day)
• Distance: 93 km
• Highlights: A spiritual journey across Orkney, this trail explores the story of St Magnus Waywhile showcasing the island’s rich history, coastline, and wildlife.

24. The Quiraing

• Location: Isle of Skye
• Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
• Distance: 6.8 km
• Highlights: This surreal landscape of landslides, cliffs, and grassy plateaus is a hiker’s paradise. Legends of hidden cattle and Viking raids add a historical charm.

25. Eildon Hills

• Location: Scottish Borders
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Distance: 10 km
• Highlights: These volcanic hills offer stunning views over Melrose and the River Tweed. The hike combines historical significance with breathtaking scenery.

26. Arran Coastal Path

• Location: Isle of Arran
• Difficulty: Moderate to Hard (Multi-Day)
• Distance: 105 km
• Highlights: Dubbed “Scotland in Miniature,” this trail includes rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, and the majestic Goat Fell peak, making it one of the most diverse hikes in Scotland.

27. Liathach

• Location: Glen Torridon, Northwest Highlands
• Difficulty: Very Hard
• Distance: 12 km
• Highlights: A demanding Munro bagger’s dream, this trail offers ridgeline scrambles and unparalleled views of Torridon’s rugged beauty.

28. Fife Coastal Path

• Location: Fife
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 187 km (Multi-Day)
• Highlights: Fife Coastal Pathtranquil trail hugs Fife’s coastline, passing golden beaches, quaint fishing villages, and historic landmarks like St. Andrews and Newark Castle.

29. The Hebridean Way

• Location: Outer Hebrides
• Difficulty: Hard (Multi-Day)
• Distance: 252 km
• Highlights: Spanning 10 islands and six causeways, this epic trek combines white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and rich Gaelic culture.

30. The John Muir Way

• Location: Helensburgh to Dunbar
• Difficulty: Moderate (Multi-Day)
• Distance: 215 km
• Highlights: Named after the conservationist John Muir Way, this coast-to-coast trail traverses scenic landscapes, historic sites, and the vibrant city of Edinburgh.

31. Beinn Alligin

• Location: Torridon, Northwest Highlands
• Difficulty: Hard
• Distance: 10.5 km
• Highlights: Known as the "Mountain of Beauty," Beinn Alligin includes two Munros and offers ridge walks with spectacular views of Torridon and its dramatic peaks.

32. Fairy Glen And Castle Ewen

• Location: Isle of Skye
• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: 1.4 km
• Highlights: A short but enchanting hike, the Fairy Glen features unique rock formations and grassy mounds. Castle Ewen, a natural rock structure, adds a whimsical charm to this magical spot.

33. The Affric-Kintail Way

• Location: Loch Ness to Morvich
• Difficulty: Moderate to Hard (Multi-Day)
• Distance: 70 km
• Highlights: Running through the rewilded Glen Affric, this trail showcases pristine forests, sparkling lochs, and remote Highland beauty. The route is ideal for nature lovers and wildlife watchers.

34. Loch An Eilein Trail – A Tranquil Woodland Stroll

• Location: Cairngorms National Park
• Distance: 7 km
• Difficulty: Easy
• Highlights: 13th-century castle ruins, Caledonian pine forest

35. Summit Askival And Hallival (Rùm Cuillin)

• Location: Isle of Rùm
• Difficulty: Hard (Multi-Day)
• Distance: ~40 km
• Highlights: These dramatic peaks on the Isle of Rùm provide an adventurous escape into Scotland’s Small Isles. With its rugged terrain and Viking-named summits, this trail is perfect for seasoned hikers.

36. Glen Lyon Horseshoe

• Location: Central Highlands
• Difficulty: Hard
• Distance: ~22 km
• Highlights: This classic route takes in four Munros in the scenic Glen Lyon, offering a challenging yet rewarding day of ridge walking with sweeping mountain views.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Best Beginner-friendly Trails In Scotland?

Are Dogs Allowed On Scotland’s Hiking Trails?

What’s The Best Time To Hike In Scotland?

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