Rain, bog, and midges be damned: Scotland is insanely lovely no matter what hand the weather and wilderness deal you.
Any list of Scotland’s best hikes is bound to cause outrage at the ones that have been missed out. This land ignites the true passion of the hill climber and mountaineer, with tough terrain and heart-breakingly beautiful landscapes that can never be captured in words – not even those of Robert Burns.
Nobody, however poetic, can ever do justice to these brooding lochs and disorientating moors, the angry seas that beat the living daylights out of coast and island, and that moment when on a dreich day the sun bursts through the clouds with a light so piercing it’s as if the world has been made anew. Its munros don’t seem too intimidating on paper, but up close, they are gnarly monsters that leap directly from the sea.
From epic climbs to escapades in the footsteps of outlaws and long-distance hikes over moor and mountain, here are our favorite eight hikes in Scotland.
1. Liathach, Glen Torridon
Best munro climb
7¼ miles (11.5km), 8-10 hours, demanding
The munro that sorts the casual walker from the hardcore hiker, Liathach (“The Grey One”), is a beast, punching a burly fist high above the fjord-like depths of Loch Torridon. It’s wild, rough, and otherworldly up here, with near-vertical terraces of rock, tawny summits to surmount, and elating views over a thrillingly remote slice of the northwest Highlands. So remote, in fact, that the only other souls up here might be red deer, snow hares, and golden eagles.
These ancient mountains, partly formed by two-billion-year-old Lewisian gneiss, are spectacularly buckled and contorted during the last Ice Age.
Starting at the car park near Glen Cottage in remote, river-woven Glen Torridon, the hike eases you in gently enough – ach, but don’t be fooled! After crossing a stream, get ready to climb relentlessly. The breathtakingly exposed ridge will get your pulse racing and make you gasp out loud at views that ripple over lochs, glens, and tawny munros on clear days.
Ensure you choose a clear day from early summer onwards; it’s no fun being up here in the mist, snow, or driving rain. Just when you think the hard part is over, you still have to descend a tough, steep scree-and-bog scramble that’ll challenge your knees. Bring a map, compass, food, and water.
2. North Ronaldsay Circuit, Orkney Islands
Best hike for island enchantment
12 miles (19km), 6.5-7.5 hours, easy
North Ronaldsay, the northernmost of the Orkney Islands, offers flat, green terrain hemmed by fortress-like drystone walls that keep its ancient seaweed-eating sheep on the rocky shores. This little island has a quiet magic with its surreal light, Old Norse place names, and Viking heritage. The landscapes are gentle, but the sea is fierce as the North Sea smashes into the Atlantic with all its might.
This easy full-day hike gives you a flavor for the island, which is filled with big skies, powder-white beaches, and phenomenal wildlife like seals, orcas, and a variety of birds.
A memorable sight is the 42m (139ft) North Ronaldsay lighthouse, the UK’s highest, with views reaching all the way to Fair Isle. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop for wooly souvenirs.
3. Cape Wrath Trail, northwest Scotland
Best back-of-beyond multi-day trek
230 miles (370km), 2-3 weeks, demanding
The Cape Wrath Trail reconnects you to the natural world like no other hike. Here, the roads fizzle out, GPS draws a blank, and the paths are mostly non-existent. You’ll face bogs, fast-flowing rivers, and the relentless wilderness of Northwest Scotland. However, the effort is worth it for a glimpse of the stark beauty found in hidden mountains and glens.
This epic hike from Fort William to Cape Wrath challenges you with the elements while allowing you to experience the true essence of solitude.
Unforgettable moments await, from a stag guarding a lonely peak to warming by a fire in a bothy. To navigate safely, be prepared and tell someone your plans, as facilities are sparse.
4. The Southern Upland Way
Best coast-to-coast hike
214 miles (344km), 12-16 days, challenging
This coast-to-coast hike from Portpatrick in the southwest to Cockburnspath in the east is one of Scotland’s most challenging trails. The Southern Upland Way delivers a beauty rarely seen and feted, as you navigate through the remote, wild, and boggy terrains.
Nature and culture constantly jostle for attention, with stunning landscapes like St Mary’s Loch and historic sites such as Melrose Abbey, where Robert the Bruce’s heart is buried.
5. Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh
Best city hike
2.4 miles (3.9km), 1½-2 hours, easy-moderate
Edinburgh is merely a muddy boot-step away from stunning hill country, and Arthur’s Seat stands proudly above the capital. At just 251m (823ft) high, this ancient volcano offers both challenge and breathtaking views of the city and beyond.
The summit can be reached via several routes, including easier green paths and the more challenging red route, which follows a lava flow. The views from the top are sensational.
6. Ben Nevis (Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête)
Best peak hike
11 miles (17.5km), 10-11 hours, challenging
Standing atop Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak at 1345m (4412ft), is irresistible for many hikers. To escape the crowd, tackle the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête for stunning views and a sense of solitude.
This strenuous hike requires confidence with heights and scrambling as you navigate rocky ground. Early starts are essential for this long day filled with scenic diversity.
7. Sgùrr Alasdair, Isle of Skye
Best island climb
5 miles (8km), 6-8 hours, challenging
Sgùrr Alasdair is the loftiest peak in the Black Cuillin and presents some of Britain’s toughest terrain. Starting at Glen Brittle, this hike involves scrambling over rocks and navigating challenging gullies for breathtaking views of rugged mountains and bright-blue lochs.
8. Rob Roy Way
Best historic hike
79 miles (124km), 6-7 days, moderate
Follow the trail of the legendary outlaw Rob Roy as you walk from Drymen to Pitlochry. This route offers stunning scenery and fascinating history, showcasing glacial glens, swift rivers, and the renowned forests of the Trossachs.
Prepare for hilly terrain, narrow roads, and an assortment of landscapes, ensuring that you have the proper gear for navigation.
