Fiona Outdoors logo My independent guide to the best of Scotland outdoors

8 great places to hike in Scotland

Written by Fiona

February 07 2019

Scotland offers a wealth of fabulous walking, as you will have read about on this website, and it is very difficult to choose the best walks. Of course, it also depends on your fitness levels and aspirations as to where the best walks can be found in Scotland.

This article reveals eight great places that I like to hike and they all offer views of superb scenery.

Ben Alligin, Torridon

View of Ben Alligin. Credit: Roddy Smith

Located in one of Scotland’s most dramatic locations, Torridon, Ben Alligin is a beautiful mountain. The name translates from Gaelic as the Mountain of Beauty.

A hike along the ridge is considered one of the easiest of the three famous Torridon ridge traverses, but if the Horns are included it means some pretty airy scrambling.

The rewards are the incredible views over wonderful scenery in the north-west of Scotland.

The Fisherfields Round

View north-east from Beinn Tarsuinn. Credit: Nigel Brown

Otherwise known as “The Great Wilderness,” The Fisherfields Forest, also in north-west Scotland, is on many walkers’ bucket lists. It’s the location for a huge hike of no less than five Munros and a Corbett.

Before you even start the walk of the 18-mile round, you need to reach a bothy at Sheneval, which takes a good couple of hours.

The long hike will take fit walkers a day and sees you summit Sgurr Ban, Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair, Beinn Tarsuinn, A’ Mhaighdean, Ruadh Stac Mor and the Corbett, Bein a Chlaidheimh.

Some people will split this long hike into two days with a wild camp half way. .

The Ring of Steall

Steall Falls, Glen Nevis. Credit: Lebeda Karel

For ambitious walkers, this 16km hike starts at Glen Nevis, near Fort William. You follow the river to reach the impressive Falls of Steall (120m high) and then cross a wobbly wire bridge.

This route via four Munro summits does not pose too many technical difficulties, however you do need a good head for heights in places.

Suilven

The distinctive outline of Suilven. Credit: Jim Barton

Suilven is 731m tall and forms one of the most distinctive mountains in Scotland. It is located in the west of Sutherland and rises almost from a wilderness landscape of moorland, bogs, and lochans known as Inverpolly National Nature Reserve.

The walk is vey satisfying and provides amazing views on a fine day.

Achmelvich Beach

Achmelvich beach. Credit: Paul Burnett

This coastal hike along the Assynt coastline is another favourite. It starts from the old gain mill ruins and heads towards the white sands of Achmelvich beach. You’ll pass a secret beach and Europe’s smallest castle (Hermit’s Castle) along the ways, so keep your eyes peeled.

Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh

Arthur’s Seat. Credit: Jim Barton

This is a classic, and if you’re an ken hiker this might even induce an eye-roll. However,it’s a treat because it’s a walk of a hill in the middle of a city, in this case the capital city of Edinburgh. After you have done the walk you can enjoy the entertainments of the capital city.

The best bit of any hike for many is the eating and drinking afterward. If there’s a large group of walkers, a night’s chatting and drinking can total up to quite a big bill. Looking for UK discount codes and promotions on restaurant meals might make a lot of sense.

Sandwood Bay, Sutherland

The sea stack Am Buachaille from Sandwood Bay. Credit: Helen Baker

Sandwood Bay is regularly voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the UK. The five-mile walk to this bay is well worth the effort. In fact, you can only reach it on foot because there is no vehicular access. Go on, you know you want to!

The Saddle

The Forcan Ridge and Glen Shiel from the saddle summit. Credit: Stu Smith.

The Saddle extends 8 miles in length and involves 1300 m of climbing to reach two Munro summits. It also takes in the fairly demanding Forcan Ridge which is airy but also exhilarating.

There are so many other great Scottish walks to choose from and there are definitely many more but this will give you many rewards for your hiking efforts.

More Like This

Adventure

Scottish ultra running races in 2025

Adventure

Luggage storage in King’s Cross: For travellers

Adventure

£1.1m for nature recovery projects in Scotland

Adventure

Keri Wallace sets female solo, unsupported winter FKT on West Highland Way

Adventure

Crafting stories: Unique ideas for showcasing your travel moments

Adventure

Skiing in western Norway – so close to Scotland yet so different