If you’re looking for an amazing hike, look no further than Scotland. With its towering mountains and stunning landscapes, Scotland is a hiker’s paradise.
Scotland is a stunning country famously known for its highlands, lochs, and mountains. In fact, Scotland is home to over 3,000 miles of coastline and some of the tallest mountains in Europe.
But don’t be intimidated, there are walks, hikes and climbs to suit everyone, from trekking newbies to hardened hill walkers.
Here we have detailed five Scottish mountain walks that are a hiker’s dream.
These five amazing Scottish mountain walks should be on your list – not only because they offer a challenge for those who want one, but also because they reward hikers with incredible views from peaks or through valleys that few people ever get to see up close…
1. Ben Nevis
We couldn’t make a list of the top treks in Scotland without including Ben Nevis which one of the three mountains climbed during the National 3 Peaks 24 Challenge.
Ben Nevis in Fort William is the King of the Munros, standing at 1,345 metres (4412 feet), and is the highest point in the United Kingdom, standing 36 metres higher than the well-known Ben Macdui (which is on the edge of the Cairngorm plateau and is the highest point in the Cairngorms National Park).
While the ‘Tourist Route’ up Ben Nevis is still an excellent way to see the mountain, the route up Ben Nevis via the knife-edge Carn Mor Dearg Arête, also known as the CMD Arête, is perhaps the most intriguing. You’ll also ascend the Munro of Carn Mor Dearg if you take this route, and the ridge walk itself must be one of the most beautiful in the UK, if not the world — a suitable way to summit Scotland’s highest mountain. You’ll need a little nerve and be comfortable with heights!
Ben Nevis has fantastic views from its peak, which are well worth the climb to get there! It is an extremely challenging hike, but it’s a journey that every serious hiker should attempt at least once in their lifetime. Attempt it on a clear day, you may be lucky enough to see as far as the Isle of Arran and even the coast of Northern Ireland.
Ben Nevis Hike – Key information
ℹ️ Difficulty Level: The climb up the mountain is made up of rocky terrain and scree, so be prepared for a challenging hike.
🕒 Time Taken: Around 3 hours in total
📍 Route Information: There are many routes to the summit of Ben Nevis, but the popular tourist route starts at the car park at Torlundy, just off the A82 road. You can find Ordnance Survey route information for Ben Nevis here, including distance, elevation and key waypoints.
2. The Cobbler (Ben Arthur)
The Cobbler isn’t quite a Munro at 920 metres, but it’s proof that if you only climb Munros, you’ll miss out on some of Scotland’s top treks. This walk, also known as Ben Arthur, is located in the Arrochar Alps.
It’s a one-hour 45-minute journey from Edinburgh or one-hour drive from Glasgow from the Succoth car park in Arrochar. The journey begins with a zigzagging trail with views back across Loch Long before going three kilometres to the foot of the mountain to begin the ascent.
The triple-headed peak, Munro or not, has one of the most striking forms of any Scottish mountain. It’s also one of the more rewarding summits, with some spectacular vistas (and photo opportunities) at the top. Not least if, after “threading the needle” on the north summit, you scramble up the rocky tower at the top.
The views from the summit are breathtaking, and you can see as far as the Isle of Arran and The Cobbler’s two other neighbouring peaks: Ben Lomond and Ben Vorlich.
The Cobbler is a great hike for those who don’t take exercise lightly, and it’s one that should definitely be on your list of mountain walks in Scotland!
The Cobbler (Ben Arthur) Hike – Key information
ℹ️ Difficulty Level: The Cobbler is an amazing mountain walk for hikers of all levels.
🕒 Time Taken: The walk to the summit takes around 3-4 hours, and it’s about 9 miles long.
📍 Route Information: The most popular route to the summit is from the car park at Inveruglas, on the west side of Loch Lomond.
You can find Ordnance Survey route information for Ben Arthur here, including distance, elevation and key waypoints.
3. Loch Ossian Munros
If you’re looking for a beautiful hike in Scotland, look no further than Loch Ossian Munros. Located near the town of Corrour, in the Highlands of Scotland, Loch Ossian Munros is a cluster of mountains that offer hikers an incredible challenge and some of the most amazing views in Scotland.
It’s a challenging hike, but the views from the summit are well worth it. You can see as far as the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides on a clear day.
The best way to access Loch Ossian Munros is by starting at the Corrour railway station and walking west. There are no roads leading to the trailhead, so the only way to access it is either by train or by foot.
The hike will take you up, down, and around steep hills, as well as across rivers and rock faces. It’s a challenging hike but one that’s worth every step.
Loch Ossain Munros Hike – Key information
ℹ️ Difficulty Level: Extremely challenging, not for beginners.
🕒 Time Taken: Total time is around 10 hours give or take, covering around 15 miles!
📍 Route Information: You can find Ordnance Survey route information for the Loch Ossian Munros here including distance, elevation and key waypoints.
4. Beinn Eighe
Beinn Eighe is a mountain located in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. The mountain is situated at the core of the Torridon Hills and is one of the most sought after mountains to climb in Scotland.
Beinn Eighe is one of the famous Munro’s (over 3000 feet high). The mountain has two main ridges, called the Coire Fionn and the Coire na Banachdich. The mountain is also well known for its wildlife, including golden eagles, red deer, and ptarmigan
Beinn Eighe is not a mountain for the inexperienced hiker, and anyone interested in climbing the Munros should consult more specialised mountain guides for information on the many paths and possibilities.
A path from a car park on the north side of the road through Glen Torridon, near the southern exit from the valley between Beinn Eighe and Liathach, is the second option to enjoy Beinn Eighe’s beauty without having to climb it all.
A path leads all the way around the back of Liathach from here. At the west end of Beinn Eighe, another trail splits off and leads around the end of Sail Mor, the mountain’s most westerly offshoot.
Beinn Eighe Hike – Key information
ℹ️ Difficulty Level: Not for beginners.
🕒 Time Taken: 3 hours.
📍 Route Information: You can find Ordnance Survey route information for Beinn Eighe here including distance, elevation and key waypoints.
5. Aonach Eagach
The Aonach Eagach is the UK mainland’s narrowest ridge path, located in the notably beautiful Glen Coe. It’s also one of the more difficult of the country’s 282 Munros to “bag”.
This is a treacherous climb with many steep, slippery, and often slick slopes and rocks. It’s not a job for the inexperienced, and it’s not one to take on alone or in bad weather. Nonetheless, it is one of the most stunning mountain climbs and experienced scramblers will be rewarded with a thrilling scramble and panoramic views of the other Glen Coe peaks, part of the Mamores ridge and is one of Scotland’s most popular and challenging hikes.
The hike to the summit of Aonach Eagach can be started from two different locations: the village of Glencoe or the village of Kinlochleven. The climb up is steep and rocky, so be prepared to climb over stones and rocks. The views from the summit are well worth it, though!
Aonach Eagache Hike – Key information
ℹ️ Difficulty Level: An extremely challenging hike, and it’s not for beginners.
🕒 Time Taken: The hike from Glencoe to the summit is approximately 9 miles long, and it takes around 6-8 hours to complete. The hike from Kinlochleven to the summit is approximately 11 miles long, and it takes around 8-10 hours to complete.
📍 Route information: You can find Ordnance Survey route information for Aonach Eagach here including distance, elevation and key waypoints.
So, if you’re a hiker who loves to explore the great outdoors, then Scotland is definitely a place that should be on your radar.
We’ve highlighted just five of the most popular Scottish mountain walks, each one offers something unique for hikers of all skill levels and walking Scotland’s trails is an amazing way to discover the great outdoors, whether you’re a local or a guest from further afield, given its small area, a hiking holiday in Scotland can be filled with soul-stirring magnificence.
Book a Guided Expedition with Mountaineerin
When you book with Mountaineerin you’re not just booking someone to walk up and down a mountain with. You are booking years of experience and knowledge of how to get the most of the environment, stay safe whilst there, look after it and most of all enjoy it!
Our guides are all fully qualified mountain leaders with an extensive understanding of the UK mountains. With comprehensive knowledge of the National 3 Peaks, Welsh 3000’s and Yorkshire 3 Peaks, our leaders are perfectly equipped to support and lead groups embarking on a mountain challenge.
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Happy Trekking!
Simon
Simon Ogunlana | Founder
