19 Best Hikes in Scotland (Day Hikes + Multi-Day Treks)
Scotland is one of the world’s most magical hiking destinations.
The best hikes in Scotland include many exciting and beautiful trails, from mountain summits to ridgeline walks, remote coastal trails, and long-distance treks through the wild Highlands.
Without a doubt, most of the best hikes in the UK can be found in Scotland, and once you start exploring the expansive wilderness of Scotland, you’ll see why.
Scotland’s beautiful mix of lochs, glens, islands, and forests means there’s something for every kind of hiker.
Ready to hit the trails? Here are our top picks for the best hikes in Scotland.
1. Ben Nevis Summit, Fort William
You can’t list the best hikes in Scotland without mentioning the country’s highest mountain.
Standing at 1,345 meters, Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK and a must for any serious hiker.
A few different ways up to the summit offer slightly different difficulty levels and experiences.
The most popular route to the summit is the Mountain Track, often called the Tourist Path. It starts from Glen Nevis Visitor Centre and offers a well-trodden, though steep, path to the top.
For those seeking a more challenging adventure, the Carn Mor Dearg Arête route is a thrilling ridge walk with stunning views.
Ensure you have some ridgeline hike experience before attempting this tricky way up.
Whichever path you take, the summit is a massive reward with panoramic views over the highlands.
If you’re after a challenge, you could hike up Ben Nevis as part of the epic Three Peaks Challenge.
2. Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
Ben Lomond is one of Scotland’s most popular Munros, especially for beginners.
Standing at 974 meters, it offers a moderately challenging hike with stunning views of Loch Lomond below.
The main path starts at Rowardennan and follows a well-maintained trail. The climb is steady, with the final section becoming steeper.
The summit rewards you with great views over the loch and surrounding hills.
For those seeking a bit more adventure, the descent via Ptarmigan Ridge offers a more rugged path with equally spectacular views.
3. Walk to the Bone Caves, Assynt
The Bone Caves in Assynt offer a relatively easy yet fascinating hike. It’s one of the best hikes Scotland offers if you’re interested in history and want to experience something different.
Starting from the car park near Inchnadamph, the trail winds through limestone scenery to the caves where ancient animal bones, including those of polar bears and lynx, were discovered.
The walk is about 4.5 kilometres round trip and has some rocky sections, but it’s generally accessible for most walkers.
The caves are fascinating, set in a dramatic landscape with great views of the surrounding mountains.
And to top your hike off, we suggest checking out some of the best camping spots in Scotland. Why not turn your hike into a multi-day adventure, right?
4. Ben More Summit, Isle of Mull
Standing tall at 966 meters, Ben More is the only Munro on the Isle of Mull. It offers a rewarding climb with stunning coastal views.
The hike begins at the Ben More car park near Loch na Keal.
You follow a straightforward route - but be prepared that the path is steep, passing streams and waterfalls before the final ascent to the summit.
On clear days, you can see across Mull and the surrounding islands, making the effort well worth it.
The climb typically takes around 6-7 hours round trip. So, you'll have plenty of time to go canoeing in Scotland.
5. Hike to the Old Man of Hoy, Orkney
The Old Man of Hoy is one of Scotland’s most iconic sea stacks, standing 137 meters tall off the coast of Hoy in the Orkney Islands.
It’s an impressive sight, and walking there is definitely one of the best Scotland hikes along the coast.
The hike to this impressive natural structure starts at Rackwick Bay and covers about 10 kilometres on a round trip.
The trail is well-marked and offers dramatic views of the Orkney coastline.
The sea stack itself is a breathtaking sight, particularly at sunset. The trail is moderately easy and suitable for most walkers.
Pro tip: If you're after awe-inspiring vistas, try summer camping in Scotland!
6. Hike the Eildon Hills from Melrose, Scottish Borders
The Eildon Hills offer a scenic hike with a historical twist, starting from the town of Melrose.
The hike is about 11 kilometres round trip and covers all three summits of the Eildons, making it relatively short but rewarding.
The path is well-defined and provides panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the River Tweed and the ruins of Melrose Abbey.
Although you feel like you accomplished a lot on this hike, it’s relatively easy and definitely one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Scottish Borders.
7. Stac Pollaidh Climb, Northwestern Highlands
Stac Pollaidh is a small but striking mountain in the Northwest Highlands, known for its rugged peaks and stunning views.
It’s an awesome hike to the top, and even though it’s not the tallest mountain, the summit offers a fantastic vantage point over the surrounding highlands.
The hike is a 5-5-kilometre round trip, making it one of the best hikes in Scotland for beginners wanting to reach a peak.
However, the ascent is steep and involves some scrambling near the summit.
The effort is well rewarded, though, with breathtaking views over Assynt and the Summer Isles.
This hike is perfect for a challenging yet short adventure with unbeatable scenery.
8. Suilven Hike, the West of Sutherland
Suilven is one of Scotland’s most distinctive and remote mountains. Its long, narrow ridge rises dramatically from the surrounding landscape.
It’s a seriously impressive sight to behold, and climbing up to the top is a must for any keen hiker exploring Scotland.
The hike to Suilven is challenging, covering about 20 kilometres on a round trip.
The approach is long and often boggy, but the final ascent involves a steep climb to the summit. When you reach the top, you can enjoy incredible views of the Assynt region.
Suilven is a hike for the adventurous, requiring good fitness and experience in remote terrain.
Get the genuine experience
9. Aonach Eagach Ridge Hike, Glencoe
The Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe is one of Scotland’s most famous and challenging hikes. It’s one of the best hikes in Scotland if you want an adventurous route.
This narrow ridge requires a head for heights and some scrambling skills, making it suitable only for experienced hikers. The traverse covers about 10 kilometres and includes several steep ascents and descents.
The ridge offers spectacular views of Glencoe and the surrounding mountains, but it’s not for the faint-hearted.
10. Climb Blaven, Isle of Skye
Blaven, or Blà Bheinn, is one of the most beautiful mountains on the Isle of Skye.
The hike starts from Loch Slapin and involves a steep and rocky ascent, covering about 8 kilometres round trip.
The views from the summit are outstanding, offering a panoramic vista of the Cuillin Ridge and the surrounding islands.
This hike is challenging, requiring good fitness and some scrambling, but it’s one of the most rewarding on Skye.
11. The Uath Lochans, Cairngorms
The Uath Lochans in the Cairngorms offer a gentle, scenic walk suitable for all abilities. This 4-kilometer circular route starts from the Forestry Commission car park and takes you through dense Caledonian pine forests and past small lochs.
The trail is well-marked, with some gentle climbs leading to viewpoints over the lochans and the surrounding hills. This is a perfect hike for a relaxed day out in nature that lets you experience what Scotland’s wilderness is all about.
12. Overnight Hike Up A’ Mhaighdean, Northwest Highlands
A’ Mhaighdean is one of the most remote Munros in Scotland, located in the Fisherfield Forest.
The hike to the summit is a severe undertaking, typically requiring an overnight stay in a bothy or a wild camp.
The route is about 30 kilometres round trip and includes several river crossings, boggy terrain, and steep ascents. It’s tough going, but hiking in Scotland is all about these kinds of landscapes.
The views from the summit are considered some of the best in Scotland, and you’ll feel like your efforts are worth it.
Just be aware that this hike is only for experienced, well-prepared hikers who understand hiking in Scotland well.
13. Climb the Cobbler, Arrochar Alps
The Cobbler, also known as Ben Arthur, is one of the most distinctive mountains in the Southern Highlands.
The hike starts from the Succoth car park in Arrochar and covers about 11 kilometres on a round trip. It follows a well-defined but steep path, with some scrambling required near the summit.
When you get to the top, you’ll see why this is one of the best hikes in Scotland. The Cobbler’s summit offers stunning views over Loch Long and the surrounding peaks, and you’ll want to spend some time soaking it all up.
This hike is popular with experienced hikers and those looking for a challenging but rewarding day out.
14. Liathach Climb, Glen Torridon
Liathach, in Glen Torridon, is one of Scotland’s most formidable mountains, known for its steep ridges and dramatic pinnacles.
It’s not easy to get to the top, but the brave hikers who do it can enjoy one of Scotland’s best hikes.
The challenging summit hike involves several sections requiring scrambling and a head for heights.
The complete traverse of Liathach covers about 12 kilometres and includes the summits of Spidean a’ Choire Lèith and Mullach an Rathain.
The views from the ridgeline are breathtaking, but this hike is only for experienced, confident hikers.
5 Best Multi-Day Hikes in Scotland
While the hiking trails above are undoubtedly some of the best in Scotland, the real magic of Scottish hiking can be found on the many long-distance trails.
If you’re interested in some of the best hikes in Scotland for multi-day backpacking adventures, then here are a few famous routes.
1. West Highland Way
Distance: 154 km
Duration: 7-9 days
This iconic trail runs from Milngavie, near Glasgow, to Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis.
Along the way, hikers experience diverse landscapes, including Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and Glencoe.
The West Highland Way is Scotland’s first official long-distance trail and remains among the most popular and rewarding.
2. The Great Glen Way
Distance: 127 km
Duration: 5-7 days
Stretching from Fort William to Inverness, the Great Glen Way follows the Caledonian Canal and the natural fault line of the Great Glen.
The route passes by several lochs, including the famous Loch Ness, and offers a mix of canal towpaths, forest tracks, and open moorland.
3. The Skye Trail
Distance: 128 km
Duration: 7-10 days
The Skye Trail is an unofficial route that traverses the length of the Isle of Skye, from Rubha Hunish in the north to Broadford in the south.
Known for its challenging terrain, this trail takes hikers through some of the island’s most dramatic landscapes, including the Trotternish Ridge, the Cuillin Mountains, and the Quiraing.
4. The Southern Upland Way
Distance: 341 km
Duration: 12-16 days
Scotland’s coast-to-coast long-distance trail runs from Portpatrick on the west coast to Cockburnspath on the east coast.
The Southern Upland Way crosses remote moorland, rolling hills, and ancient forests, offering solitude and a sense of adventure away from more crowded trails.
5. The Cape Wrath Trail
Distance: 370 km
Duration: 15-20 days
Known as the most strenuous long-distance trail in the UK, the Cape Wrath Trail is an unofficial and unmarked route from Fort William to Cape Wrath, the northwesternmost point of mainland Britain.
This challenging trail takes hikers through some of Scotland’s most remote and rugged terrain, including the Knoydart Peninsula, the Fisherfield Forest, and the Assynt mountains.
Of course, with all of these long-distance hiking trails, you can hike the entire route or do shorter sections over a few days.
Conclusion
Some of the best hikes in the world can be found in Scotland, and we believe that any keen hiker should try to visit this country at least once in their lives.
Whichever trails you hike, the scenery is always breathtaking, and the atmosphere is always uniquely Scottish.
Interested in joining a group tour to experience some of Scotland’s most amazing hiking trails? Consider our hike up Ben Nevis and Scotland canoe trip or our Three Peaks Challenge options for an unforgettable adventure.
