If you’re looking for an adventure and want to get out into the country, then hiking in Scotland should be at the top of your list. We can guide you through some of the top places to go hiking around Scotland, with beautiful natural backdrops like rugged coastlines, green mountains and shining lakes, as well as historical monuments.
For more great travel tips and things to do in Scotland, check out our detailed guide for the best places to visit.
Hiking in Scotland: The most incredible mountain and loch routes
Scotland is home to some of the most incredible landscapes, and nothing gets better than hiking around beautiful lakes and mountains such as those on these trails.
Loch Lomond and Cowal Way in Argyll: Scotland in 57 miles
This amazing hiking trail is only about an hour’s drive from Glasgow and offers a fantastic sight into the Scottish Highlands, covering many different aspects such as beautiful coastlines, intriguing heritage, diverse wildlife, as well as welcoming people and communities. The Loch Lomond and Cowal Way in Argyll is also known as ‘Scotland in 57 miles’, due to the fact you can witness so much within such a short distance – it really sums up the beauty and nature of the country.
This route of moderate difficulty is one of the finest long-distance hiking trails, suitable for walkers, runners, and mountain bikers. It runs the length of the Cowal Peninsula, on the west coast of Scotland. Starting in Portavadie, it goes through some of the most stunning landscapes in the Highlands, ending up at Inveruglas and Loch Lomond’s calm serene waters. The area is perfect for any walking trip, with villages and towns on the way to stay overnight, such as Tighnabruaich, Glendaruel, Strachur, Lochgoilhead, and Arrochar.
West Highland Way: Scotland’s most iconic scenery
Scotland’s most popular long-distance route is the West Highland Way. It starts in Milngavie, just north of Glasgow, and ends in Fort William, a mammoth 96 miles away. So, if you want to complete this huge trail in one trip, you’ll need plenty of days to do so, normally around 6-8 days. The difficulty ranges from moderate to difficult, with a gentle start becoming trickier as you get closer to the highlands.
It has a huge variety of scenery, with countryside parks, open moorlands, loch shorelines, and some steep mountains, so you can enjoy a bit of everything. Due to the length of the entire trail, it’s advisable to break it down into manageable parts. You can then find ample information on each section, such as the starting section from Milngavie to Drymen or the finishing section, Kinlochleven to Fort William.
Great Glen Way: Walk and bike through stunning mountain and lake scenery
Come along and find one of Scotland’s great walking trails, one that can boast the beauty of quaint villages, canals and forest tracks. The Great Glen Way can be completed with a trip of around 4-7 days and can be done by any level of walker. It is considered one of the easier trails, starting in Fort William, in the shadow of the great Ben Nevis Mountain, and stretching all the way across to Inverness, in the Northeast of Scotland.
There are some challenging sections to the trail, but it will be worth it when you see the mountain and lake views between Gairlochy, Laggan Locks, and Fort Augustus. It’s also typical to see some wonderful wildlife on this route, with golden eagles, red kites, ospreys and deer all frequently appearing amongst the forest trails. To get started, you can get to Fort William quite easily by car or train from Glasgow.
Hiking in Scotland: The best historical hiking routes
Take a step back in time and enjoy these fascinating hiking trails in Scotland. Follow in the footsteps of historical figures that graced these lands and relive their journeys.
Borders Abbeys Way: Linking nature and history together
Roughly just over an hour’s drive south of Edinburgh, you can start the Borders Abbeys Way hiking trail. It must be seen to be believed; it’s a magnificent path that stretches 68 miles, starting and finishing in Jedburgh and taking in along its way an incredible four different abbey ruins – at Dryburgh, Melrose, Kelso, and Jedburgh.
Along the trail, you can take in some amazing countryside whilst admiring the local wildlife in the lowland meadows, rivers, farmlands, and woodlands.
At the end of a section, you’ll come across the historical landmarks of each abbey, dating back to the 12th century. You’ll follow the medieval walking paths of monks.
This is an easy stretch and ideal for all kinds of travellers, whether you’re travelling as a couple or a family. It’s a journey through time, with some amazing wildlife and architecture to enjoy in equal measure.
Rob Roy Way: Follow in the footsteps of Scotland’s famous outlaw
Why not follow in the famous footsteps of Scotland’s own Rob Roy MacGregor? Well, you can do just that when starting off in Drymen and following Rob Roy Way, which is 79 miles long and finishes in Pitlochry, in the eastern Highlands. There are many places on the trail that are linked to Scotland’s most famous outlaw, heading through Loch Ard Forest to Aberfoyle, passing through gorgeous scenery including ancient viaducts and aqueducts, whilst you can also find a 3,600-year-old stone circle on route to Pitlochry.
It’s a great stretch for almost any level of walker, with welcoming villages with warm pubs and places to stay along the way. The route is designed specifically for walkers; however, the route can also be taken by bicycle.
Take a trip around the coastal trails of Scotland
There’s nothing quite like exploring the Scottish Highlands, with its many walking trails that provide such amazing scenery. When it comes to coastal walks, Scotland is up there with the best. So, get ready to breathe in that salty sea air and take in some magnificent views.
The Moray Coastal Trail: The ultimate in coastal scenery
When it comes to coastal trail paths in Scotland, it doesn’t get much more scenic than the Moray Coastal Trail. Situated in the north of Scotland, the trail begins in Findhorn and Cullen; you can reach it from Inverness by car in around 45 minutes. Take in the dramatic views of the Moray Coast over a length of 50 miles, which takes around 3-5 days when staying over in nearby towns and villages, such as Hopeman, Burghead and Lossiemouth.
The trail itself can be seen as quite challenging, especially with a strong headwind, but the scenery really makes it worth the challenge. Many hikers are drawn to this walk not just by the magnificent scenery but also by the local bottle-nosed dolphins. They can be witnessed in the sea, along with an abundance of bird life, rugged cliffs and beaches.
Fife Coastal Path: Walk through history and nature in one
Starting in Kincardine Bridge and ending in Newburgh, you can reach the beginning of the Fife Coastal Path from Edinburgh, usually in just under an hour by car. Linking the Firths of Forth and Tay, the Fife Coastal Path takes you on a journey through history, with historic villages, nature in stunning wildlife reserves and award-winning beaches. You’ll be spoilt for choice along this huge 117-mile stretch of coastline.
The whole trail takes around 7-9 days. It’s recommended you stop in notable places to visit, recover and go again. There are many a village and town to stay in, such as Burntisland and Buckhaven, as well as St. Andrews and Wormit Bay on the northern end of the trail. With quaint fishing villages and long sandy beaches being the order of the day on this trail, you can’t go far wrong choosing it.
