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The Highlands

Walks in The Highlands of Scotland

Hikes/United Kingdom/Scotland/The Highlands

Feel the ghosts of legends, traditions, bloody clan clashes, and stories harking back centuries while walking in the Highlands. Seriously—there's no better way to immerse in the incredible scenery sweeping Scotland's north. Whether you're summiting Ben Nevis, several Munros in one go, or exploring mystical gorges, the folklore imagery will transport you to some time in the past, where legends dictated ways of life and non-fiction happenings survive as often-told tales today. The best part is that you don't need to be an advanced hillwalker to experience the phenomenal scenery the Highlands has to offer. Almost all ages will find trails leading to castles, viewpoints, summits, through glens that give glimpses of the great yore of the Highlands.

The 10 Greatest Walks in the Highlands

Sift through the list of epic walks in the Highlands below, choose your favourites, lace up your boots and off you go! Pack a range of walks into your visit to the Highlands: gloomy and misty gorge meanders speckled with glistening waterfalls, seaside strolls, moderate to intense hill walks for an unveiling of magical scenery, bagging Munros (sometimes several in one adventure) to reach incredible viewpoints, family-friendly walks leading to castles, forest and moorland explorations, and trails hugging fairytale lochs…

What we're trying to say is that the wild landscapes never cease to amaze or end! When you’re out and about, be sure to look out for wild Highland cows, the Scottish wildcat often confused with a lost house cat, golden eagles, humpback whale, puffins, the rare red squirrel, dolphins, and red deer.

Not sure where to start? Take a look at some of the best walks in the Highlands below!

  1. Ben Nevis Mountain Path Walk - Tackle the most straightforward path leading to the ever-so rewarding summit of Ben Nevis! We suggest taking on a few other hillwalks before attempting this unforgettable, bucket-list worthy adventure—come prepared for snow as well, even in the summer.
  2. Old Man of Storr Walk - Revel in the fascinating rock formations making up the Old Man of Storr on this epic, short adventure! We've ranked the Old Man of Storr Walk as best for older children only due to some steep sections and rockfall potential on rainier days. Nevertheless, this is one of the best walks to do when visiting the Isle of Skye.
  3. Stac Pollaidh Walk - Are you looking for an easy adventure? Skip this one. The Stac Pollaidh Walk may be short, but it's definitely not for the faint of heart! After a steep elevation gain, bask in views of Assynt, Summer Isles, and Loch Veyatie. Get ready for a highlight reel of vistas jam-packed into a few kilometres.
  4. Buachaille Etive Mòr Walk - Bag two Munros on the Buachaille Etive Mòr Walk (Stob Dearg and Stob na Bròige)! But that's not all! The Buachaille Etive Mòr ridge boasts four summits, and guess what? You'll tackle all four on this unruly, intense, and enriching adventure, where a sightline filled with staggering peaks awaits!
  5. Sandwood Bay Walk - Gather your family and head out to one of—if not the—best beaches in Scotland, the pristine Sandwood Bay. Drop your jaw at the untouched golden sand illuminated by the glistening seascape, cliffs, and sea stack! Maybe you'll even spot a marine animal or two.
  6. Suilven Walk - Wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a full day? The Suilven Walk will grant you this wish! Enjoy an unveiling of mystical views as you ascend Suilven (731 m). Be prepared to take on some minor scrambling and steep climbs—it’ll all be worth it in the end!
  7. Steall Falls and the Nevis Gorge Walk - Fall in love with the dramatic imagery coating Nevis Gorge as you make your way to the tumbling Steall Falls! This short walk makes for a fun and memorable adventure for the entire family!
  8. Quiraing Circuit Walk - The Quiraing Circuit Walk may seem relaxing, but your heart will shoot up along this hill loop! Thankfully, the folklore-like, mystical, supernatural scenery will divert your attention from any huffs and puffs. Walk by Needle, Prison, and various Highland natural wonders on this bang-for-your-buck adventure. Older children will enjoy this one!
  9. Neist Point Walk - The Neist Point Walk is another must-do adventure on the Isle of Skye. Follow a path surrounded by cliffs dropping into the swirling sea below as you head towards a lighthouse harking back to 1909. This walk is family-friendly, but keep your kids close and don’t stray off the path!
  10. Pap of Glencoe Walk - Gain a significant elevation in a short distance to reach 360-views of Loch Leven nestled in front of the Mamroes range on the Pap of Glencoe Walk. This walk is definitely a Highlands highlight!

When Is The Best Time To Walk in the Highlands?

While you can do most walks year-round, we suggest tackling most routes between May and October when there’s a higher chance of drier and clear conditions. However, some routes may still hold snow deep into the summer, making it essential to always research conditions before you go and come prepared. It’s also common to experience windy conditions. Pack layers to stay warm on hillwalks with a lot of exposure!

Best Regions for Walking in the Highlands

The Highlands boasts several incredible regions! To start, we suggest going to Fort William, Inverness, or the Isle of Skye, where amazing adventures await.

Other Outdoor Activities in the Highlands

While walking through the forest, moorland, alongside lochs and coastlines, bagging a Munro, and summiting hills sit atop the list of adventures in the Highlands; you'll also find a collection of other things to do! Go sea swimming and birdwatching in Assynt, check out Loch Ness and the Urquhart Castle near Inverness, go mountain biking and road biking in and around Fort William and Inverness (to start, anyway), and kayak riveting sea waters around Shetland, Orkney, and the Outer Hebrides. Honestly, the list of things to do in the Highlands is endless!

Adventure Tours in the Highlands

Not in the mood to plan your own adventure? We’ve got you covered! Check out our list of adventure tours in the Highlands and take a look at these tours If you’re interested in taking on the West Highland Way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Scottish Highlands known for?

Other than holding unforgettable legends and fables, the Highlands have set the scene for other stories to come to life, such as Harry Potter and Outlander. The Highlands is also known for producing whisky!

Where do the Highlands start?

Starting from Fort William, the Highlands continue by Skye, bending around North Coast 500 to the far north towards Durness and John O’Groats, then past Inverness and Elgin in the east.

Can you go wild camping in the Highlands?

Wild camping is allowed throughout Scotland, but due to heavy traffic, some areas are subject to more rules or may require you to book a campsite. Learn more about wild camping in Scotland here.

Are most trails dog-friendly in the Highlands?

Yes! However, some routes may not be suitable or safe for dogs, so be sure to check out this information before you take your furry friend along on your adventures.

Find other amazing walking regions in the UK:

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Displaying 20 of 62 routes

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The Highlands

Ben Nevis Mountain Path Walk

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.
Very Hard
17.0 km
1,352 m
6.5-9.5h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Talisker Bay Trail

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!
Very Easy
3.5 km
54 m
1h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Old Man of Storr Walk

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 2.8mi adventure!
Moderate
4.5 km
288 m
1.5-2h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Stac Pollaidh Circular Walk

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.
Hard
4.7 km
510 m
2-3h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Stac Pollaidh Walk

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 3.1mi, but it definitely packs a punch when it comes to scenery and adventure!
Hard
4.7 km
509 m
2-3h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Buachaille Etive Mòr Walk

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.
Hard
13.0 km
1,110 m
5.5-7.5h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Sandwood Bay Walk

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!
Easy
13.0 km
150 m
2.5-4h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Suilven Walk

Looking for the ultimate day-long adventure? The Suilven Walk will keep you well entertained! Expect to travel around 12.4mi as you ascend one of Scotland’s favourite summits: Suilven (2398ft). 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.
Hard
20.0 km
947 m
6-8.5h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Quiraing Circuit Walk

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!
Moderate
6.5 km
374 m
2-3h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Ben Hope Walk

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 5.0mi.
Hard
7.5 km
946 m
4-5.5h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Neist Point Walk

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!
Easy
3.0 km
142 m
1-1.5h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Behind Liathach Walk

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!
Moderate
12.0 km
480 m
3.5-5h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail

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!
Very Easy
6.5 km
586 m
3-4h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Needle Rock, The Storr and The Old Man of Storr Circular Walk

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.
Moderate
8.5 km
578 m
3-4.5h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Corrieshalloch Gorge Viewpoint Walk

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.
Very Easy
2.0 km
93 m
0.5-1h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Bidean nam Bian 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!
Hard
11.0 km
1,316 m
5.5-8h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Camusdarach Beach Walk

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.
Very Easy
2.0 km
8 m
0.5h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Falls of Shin Walk

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!
Easy
3.3 km
90 m
1h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Ben Wyvis Path

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.
Hard
14.0 km
935 m
5-7h
No Ratings
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The Highlands

Loch Lochy Walk from Kilfinnan

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.
Very Hard
19.0 km
1,258 m
7-9.5h

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