Walks in The Highlands of Scotland

Tackling Scotland’s Ben Nevis Mountain Path Walk is no easy feat! This adventure is best reserved for experienced hillwalkers, especially since snow usually cloaks the ground, adding yet another challenging component to overcome. However, after gaining a significant amount of elevation, nothing beats the feeling of standing atop the UK’s highest mountain with the views of the Highlands stretching into the horizon below. The route described below follows the most straightforward path to summit Ben Nevis!

If you're planning on bagging this Munro and are relatively new to hillwalking, we suggest avoiding this during the winter months when the route can get super technical. It can even hold snow during the summer. The bottom line: come prepared with the proper equipment for various weather conditions, even if you're walking in summer.

The Talisker Bay Trail makes for a relaxing family adventure! Nothing beats the swirl of sea-scented air and an image of soft waves lapping onto the shore while a sea stack and a grassy cliffside create a pretty backdrop. So bring a picnic and aim to go when the tide is low!

The Old Man of Storr Walk is an incredibly popular walk—and for good reason. This walk winds to one of the most evocative natural spots: the unique rock formations making up the Old Man of Storr. Near the start of the walk, you’ll reach a stunning overview of the Isle of Raasay and Applecross, a remote peninsula. The Old Man of Storr Walk sure knows how to pack a collection of supernatural scenery into a short 4.5 km adventure!

Don’t have a lot of time, but want to pack an epic adventure into a few hours? The Stac Pollaidh Circular Walk gifts you an intense workout while incredible scenery unravels around you! Of course, with the steep elevation gain also comes a technical trail and some minor scrambling, but hey, the vistas of Assynt, Summer Isles, and Loch Veyatie will have you forgetting all about your exasperated lungs and elevated heart rate.

If you're looking for an easy stroll, the Stac Pollaidh Walk isn't it! This walk is challenging, technical and fun for those with walking and scrambling experience. Expect to feast on views of Assynt to the north, Summer Isles to the southwest, and Loch Veyatie in the northwest. The Stac Pollaidh Walk may be under 5.0 km, but it definitely packs a punch when it comes to scenery and adventure!

The Buachaille Etive Mòr Walk is a tailor-made adventure for avid hillwalkers seeking something rugged, wild, and intense. This lollipop route will not only have you bagging one Munro but two—Stob Dearg and Stob na Bròige. These summits are just two of the four that stagger across the ever-so-stunning Buachaille Etive Mòr ridge, and you'll tackle them all during this walk! The valley views paired with a sightline with peaks add a level of epic and unforgettableness to this challenging but rewarding Highland adventure.

The Sandwood Bay Walk may be slightly long, but the lower elevation gain makes for a fantastic adventure for families! After walking along desolate moorland, the unspoiled Sandwood Bay will wash these average views away with its golden sand contrasted with the shimmering seascape, sea stack, and cliffs. Look out for marine animals while resting on the beach!

Looking for the ultimate day-long adventure? The Suilven Walk will keep you well entertained! Expect to travel around 20.0 km as you ascend one of Scotland’s favourite summits: Suilven (731 m). Before reaching the true summit, you’ll trek through a compilation of mystical scenery, earning the chance to admire the Highlands’ landscape alongside you and below you. Once you’ve reached the pinnacle of Suilven, you’ll retrace your steps back to the car park, which some may find uninspiring, but this adventure makes it worth passing the same scenery twice!

Expect some minor scrambling and steep ascents along the Suilven Walk. Hopefully, the incredible surroundings will minimize any moans and groans and huffs and puffs.

The Quiraing Circuit Walk may seem easy, but this hill loop will have you huffing and puffing, guaranteed! Most opt to stop after the first section; however, this route gives you a chance to revel in the ever-so-mystical scenery just a little bit longer. Go past the Needle, Prison, and other epic Highland wonders on this short but rewarding adventure. Be sure to charge your camera and get ready to capture image after image of the landscape unravelling in front of you!

Looking for an intense, rewarding adventure in the remote, desolate wild? The Ben Hope Walk climbs a steep ascent towards an incredibly scenic and isolated view of the wilderness decorated with soaring peaks, lochans, and the faraway sea fading toward the Arctic. This out-and-back route is shorter but packs a punch by having you bag a Munro in under 8.0 km.

The Neist Point Walk has earned a reputation for being one of the most stunning adventures in the Isle of Skye—and for good reason. This excursion takes you along a path flanked by the tumbling sea on both sides of the jagged cliffs that leads toward a lighthouse built in 1909. Take care if you're walking with children or dogs as you're surrounded by unfenced cliffs —if you stay on the path and keep your dog on a lead, you'll be fine!

Explore the natural character carved throughout the Behind Liathach Walk. There’s just something magical about revelling in the quirky views and scenery, such as corries, waterfalls, and grassy slopes and rocky surroundings at the bottom of steep mountain slopes. First, you’ll feel like a character in an epic fantasy before a charming fairytale setting takes over. The imagery along this hike is fun and exciting—and you can’t see the views from the road!

The Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail travels through varied terrain, following a waymarked path—Britain's singular waymarked mountain trail! But don’t let the fact that it’s waymarked fool you into thinking it’s easy. This walk climbs a steep elevation gain in a short time, with exposure at the top and more technical, rocky sections along the trail. But, despite this, every second along the Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail is worth the lung burn!

You can’t go to the Isle of Skye and skip out on the incredible Needle Rock, The Storr and The Old Man of Storr Circular Walk. It’s surreal standing among the spiral rock formations jetting out of a grassy slope. Plus, then there’s Needle Rock, which elevates this adventure’s level of epic! With stone steps, grassy slopes adorned with soaring rock structures, viewpoints of Isle of Raasay (and more), the Needle Rock, The Storr and The Old Man of Storr Circular Walk really packs a punch when it comes to entertaining scenery.

Looking for a short, family-friendly adventure that doesn’t compromise on scenery? The Corrieshalloch Gorge Viewpoint Walk will serve you just right! Winding across a suspension bridge to a viewing platform, this adventure opens up stunning waterfall views! Also, look out for gorgeous countryside scenery accentuated by Loch Broom as you walk.

The Bidean nam Bian Walk takes you deep into the Scottish Highlands, unveiling an up-close snapshot of the unruly landscape throughout—whether you’re atop a summit, climbing, or walking the valley. This strenuous route has you bagging two Munros, Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach, and immersing in Glen Coe, a tucked-away valley flanked by mountain slopes. If you’re an experienced hillwalker seeking a challenge, the Bidean nam Bian Walk will fulfill your needs!

The Camusdarach Beach Walk may be the setting for the film, Local Hero, but it also creates the perfect beach scene: smooth pristine sand hemmed by lapping bright blue water. So pack your swimsuit and snacks, bring along your dog, and get ready for an adventure that focuses more on lounging than walking. But hey! The route is so pretty; you could repeat it as many times as you like.

Looking for a fun, family-friendly adventure? Take on the Falls of Shin Walk! The low elevation gain paired with a short distance and ever-changing scenery collide to create a wonderful outdoorsy experience. Don’t expect tumbling waterfalls from above, but mighty falls sprinkled with salmon during the early autumn and summer months!

Looking to bag Munro? The Ben Wyvis Path grants the chance to do just that! Gain elevation quickly as you ascend the easy-to-follow path towards the summit, otherwise known as Glas Leathad Mòr, which casts an incredible vista of the wild Highlands fading into the horizon.

The Loch Lochy Walk from Kilfinnan takes you high above Loch Lochy for phenomenal bird's eye views from atop two striking Munros: Sròn a' Choire Ghairbh and Meall na Teanga. The initial approach may be bland, but don't let that trick you into thinking this is a boring hike because the views and reward from both summits make this rugged, challenging adventure beyond worth it.