1. Ben Nevis via the Mountain Track
- Where: Fort William, Scottish Highlands
- Starting Point: Glen Nevis Visitor Centre
- End Point: Ben Nevis Summit
- Time Needed: 7-9 hours.
- Distance and Type: 17 km circuit
- Difficulty: Difficult
- When to Hike: May to September
- Where to Stay: Fort William or Glen Nevis
This is the highest mountain in the UK and a must-do for experienced hikers. The route offers stunning views of the surrounding Scottish Highlands but be prepared for unpredictable weather and challenging terrain.
2. The West Highland Way
- Where: Western Scotland
- Starting Point: Milngavie
- End Point: Fort William
- Time Needed: 5-7 days (can be broken into shorter sections for 1–2 days hikes)
- Distance and Type: 154 kilometers Point to Point
- Difficulty: Moderate
- When to Hike: April to October
- Where to Stay: Various accommodations along the route
This is Scotland’s most popular long-distance hiking trail and takes hikers through varied terrain, including forests, lochs, and mountains. Hikers can choose to do shorter sections of the route in 1-2 days.
3. Loch Muick Circuit
- Where: Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Trail Head: Spittal of Glenmuick car park
- Time Needed: 5-6 hours.
- Distance and Type: 12 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- When to Hike: Year-round
- Where to Stay: Ballater or Braemar
This circular route takes hikers around the picturesque Loch Muick, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and wildlife.
4. The Cobbler
- Where: Arrochar Alps, Scotland
- Starting Point: Succoth car park
- End Point: Same as starting point.
- Time Needed: 5-6 hours.
- Distance and Type: 11 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- When to Hike: Year-round (weather dependent)
- Where to Stay: Arrochar or Tarbet
This route takes hikers up the distinctive peak of The Cobbler, offering stunning views of Loch Long and the surrounding mountains.
5. The Old Man of Storr
- Where: Isle of Skye, Scotland
- Trail Head: The Storr car park
- Time Needed: 1-2 hours.
- Distance and Type: 4 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- When to Hike: Year-round (weather dependent)
- Where to Stay: Portree or Broadford
This is a short but steep hike up to the iconic rock formation known as The Old Man of Storr, offering stunning views of the Isle of Skye.
6. The Quiraing
- Where: Isle of Skye, Scotland
- Starting point: Quiraing car park on the A855 road
- End point: Return to Quiraing car park.
- Time needed: 2-3 hours.
- Distance and Type: 6.8 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- When to hike: Best in the summer months but can be hiked year-round.
- Where to stay: Portree or Staffin are nearby towns with accommodation options.
The Quiraing is a unique and stunning landscape in the Isle of Skye, with rock formations and views of the sea and mountains. The loop trail offers a moderate hike with some steep sections, but the views are worth the effort.
7. Three Sisters of Glencoe
- Where: Glencoe, Scottish Highlands
- Starting point: Glencoe Mountain Resort car park
- End point: Return to Glencoe Mountain Resort car park.
- Time needed: 4-5 hours.
- Distance and Type: 8.5 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
- When to hike: Best in the summer months but can be hiked year-round.
- Where to stay: There are several accommodation options in the nearby town of Glencoe.
The Three Sisters of Glencoe are a group of three peaks in the Scottish Highlands, with stunning views of the valley below. The loop trail offers a moderate to difficult hike, with some steep and rocky sections.
8. St Andrews to Crail section of the Fife Coastal Path
- Where: Fife, Scotland
- Starting Point: St Andrews
- End Point: Crail
- Distance and Type: 22.5 kilometers point to point
- Time Needed: 1-2 days
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- When to Hike: The trail is open year-round, but the best time to hike is between April and October.
- Where to Stay: There are several accommodation options in St Andrews and Crail, including hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs.
The St Andrews to Crail section of the Fife Coastal Path offers stunning views of the North Sea and the rugged coastline of Fife. The trail passes through picturesque fishing villages, including Anstruther and Pittenweem, and offers plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife, including seabirds, seals, and dolphins. The trail is well-marked and relatively easy to follow, but there are some steep and rocky sections that require sturdy footwear and good balance. The trail can be completed in one long day or split into two shorter days with an overnight stay in one of the charming coastal villages.
9. Glenfinnan Viaduct
- Where: Glenfinnan, Lochaber, Scottish Highlands
- Trail Head: Glenfinnan Viaduct car park or Glenfinnan train station.
- Time needed: 1-2 hours.
- Distance and Type: 3.2 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Easy
- When to hike: The hike can be done year-round, but summer months (June-August) are the best time to visit.
- Where to stay: Accommodations can be found in nearby towns such as Fort William, Mallaig, and Oban.
The hike to the Glenfinnan Viaduct is a must-do for Harry Potter fans as it is the iconic location of the Hogwarts Express crossing in the movies. The trail starts at the car park or train station and follows a well-marked path through the woods and over a small stream. The viaduct comes into view after a short climb up a hill, and visitors can walk along the edge of the railway track for a close-up view. The surrounding scenery is breathtaking, with views of Loch Shiel and the surrounding hills.
10. Loch an Eilein
- Where: Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
- Trail Head: Loch an Eilein car park
- Time Needed: 1-2 hours.
- Distance: 4 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Easy
- When to Hike: Year-round, but best in spring, summer, and autumn.
- Where to Stay: Aviemore, Carrbridge or Rothiemurchus
The Loch an Eilein trail is a circular loop around a beautiful loch with views of the castle ruins on the island. The trail is well-marked and relatively flat, making it accessible to hikers of all levels. The path is mostly through forested areas with occasional open views of the loch and surrounding mountains. The trail is also popular with wildlife enthusiasts as the loch is home to a variety of birds and other animals. The trail is a great way to experience the natural beauty of Cairngorms National Park in a short amount of time.
