Walks in Scotland

Walks in Scotland

Immerse yourself in the great outdoors with some wonderful walks in Scotland

What better way to explore the natural beauty of your surroundings than on foot? Discover the picture-perfect scenery, unspoilt countryside and dramatic coastlines of Scotland with our useful walking guide.

Peppered with deep lochs, majestic mountain ranges, ancient forests and craggy coastlines, the astounding landscape of a Scotland walk offers an enchanting adventure to its visitors.

Walks in the Highlands

Stretching nearly 10,000 square miles, there’s an abundance of trails to be found in the Highlands, each promising mesmeric sights en-route. Traverse through uninhabited countryside along The West Highland Way or travel from coast to coast via the Great Glen Way, scaling Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, at journeys end in Fort William. Discover the rich heritage of the Cairngorms National Park, or explore Glen Etive, famed as the background for James Bond’s Skyfall and Braveheart.

Walks in the Lowlands

The Southern Upland Way offers the best of both the coast and country, running 214 miles coast to coast from Portpatrick to Cockburnspath. A pit-stop can be made in the vibrant city of Edinburgh following a two-footed adventure through The Pentland Hills Regional Park. Follow the St Cuthbert’s Way through a mix of historic towns and landmarks along the Scottish Border toward coast of Northumberland via St Cuthbert’s Way.

In Scotland you’re sure to find a walk to suit all ages and abilities, with national parks, landscaped gardens and miles of glorious beaches waiting to be discovered. Brimming with accessible dog walks too, be sure to bring along any four-legged friends, so that they can enjoy the spectacular sights of Arthur’s Seat and Balmacara Estate.

Continue reading to reveal our favourite Scotland walks…

  • View from Arthur's Seat

    Arthur’s Seat

    1h 35m

    2.4 miles

    Moderate

    Admire the picturesque city of Edinburgh from Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano perched at the highest point of the 640-acre Holyrood Park.

    view more information
  • Walkers attempting Ben Nevis on a cloudy day

    Ben Nevis

    7h 28m

    10.75 miles

    Hard

    Located in the Grampian Mountains near the town of Fort William and standing at 1,345 metres above sea level, Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK.

    view more information
  • Conic Hill Walk, feature

    Conic Hill Walk

    47m

    2.5 miles

    Moderate

    Looking for a short, 2.5-mile hike in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park? Come and explore Conic Hill Walk!

    view more information
  • Glencoe

    Great Glen Way

    Reaching 72.7 miles from Fort William to Inverness, the trail follows the major natural fault line of the Great Glen that divides Scotland from coast-to-coast. The majority of the route remains at a low level and serves as a good way to acclimatise to long distance walking.

    Visit Website
  • walking holidays UK

    Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat

    Located just a short walk from Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the 640-acre Holyrood Park is a popular spot for walkers, especially those wanting to climb to the top of its highest peak, Arthur’s Seat. The ancient volcano is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, possessing a varied range of rare flora and geology.

    Visit Website
  • Loch An Eilien Circular, feature

    Loch an Eilein Walk

    1h 28m

    3.6 miles

    Moderate

    A popular short walk outside of Aviemore lets you see Loch an Eilein castle, built in the 13th century.

    view more information
  • Cloudy sunset over Loch Ness, from Dores Beach

    Loch Ness Dores Inn Walk

    Inverness

    1h 50m

    4.2 miles

    Easy

    Shrouded in natural beauty and mystery, Loch Ness is the perfect base for peaceful strolls, and this walk leads you from Dores Inn, along the shores of Dores Beach, as you reflect on the mythical history.

    view more information
  • North Coast 500

    North Coast 500

    If you are looking for a challenge, why not try the North Coast 500? This 516-mile trail begins in Inverness and edges its way along the Scottish Coast towards John O’ Groats and eventually back South through the town of Dingwall, before returning to Inverness. The route incorporates some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery; rolling hills, dramatic moors, majestic lakes and incredible beaches.

    Visit Website
  • Southern Upland Way

    The Southern Upland Way is a 212-mile coast-to-coast route, starting on Scotland’s South West Coast in Portpatrick, and ending on the East Coast at Cockburnspath. The trail has some challenging parts, but there are many stretches that suitable for families.

    Visit Website
  • Strathclyde Park Walk, feature

    Strathclyde Park Walk

    2h 20m

    6.4 miles

    Easy

    Suitable for all abilities, Strathclyde Country Park provides a fantastic family walk and hike all year round.

    view more information
activityarrow_downarrow_leftsmall-rightarrow-top-rightbikeguidescamerachild-friendlycircularclockCottagecrossdangerdestinationpindownloaddropdown-arrowemailFamilyfinish-flagflagfloraflowergroupHeartinfo-altdidyouknowInspirationlinearlocationmap-pinmapparkingpawphonerulersearchshare Facebook Google Plus Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest Twitter YouTube ui-24px-glyph-2_grid-45popularsun-cloudtexturef-check-glyph-16toggleVideoWalkingwheelchair