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Highland Walks
Walking Routes & Hiking Trails

Find Highland walks from the list below which features the best walking routes in the area. Most of routes are circular walks although there are a few linear hikes. The walks are listed from the shortest and easiest to the longest more challenging routes. The walks are divided into sub areas so you can find specific walks.

One of the finest areas for walking in the British Isles, the Scottish Highlands includes many excellent mountain walks. There are also many less energetic walks which take in the dramatic scenery of the area. Highlights include Ben Nevis, the high peaks of the Cairngorm National Park, the superb hills of Torridon and the wild landscapes of the north-west. The Isle of Skye is also included in this area. All walks are free to download and print and all routes have GPS files.

 

Cairngorms North Walks

Cairngorms North is centered on the regional centre of Aviemore where there are a wide range of amenities for walkers. The routes below include some of the highest summits in Britain and need to be treated with respect. Many routes take you into wild terrain and are for experienced walkers only. In winter snow and ice can provide a challenging environment for walking and necessary precautions should be taken.


 
WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
1906Lochan Mor & Rothiemurchus Forest from Inverdruieeasy/mod3.60
1904Loch Morlich circular (near Aviemore)easy4.00
2067Rothiemurchus Forest via Balvattan from Coylumbridgeeasy/mod4.60
1505★☩Craigellachie National Nature Reserveeasy/mod5.00
3579★☩Meall a'Bhuachaille & Ryvoan Bothy from Glenmoremoderate5.50
1390★☩Cairn Lochan via the Fiacaill Buttress from Ski Centrevery hard5.70
2672★☩Cairngorm Mountain via Coire an t-Sneachdamod/hard6.00
2931Creagan an Fhithich from Falls of Truimeasy/mod6.30
3299Loch an Eilein from Coylumbridgeeasy/mod7.00
2412★☩Craiggowrie & Creagan Gorm from Loch Morlichmod/hard7.30
3218★☩Eag a' Chait gap Via Rothiemurchus Lodge from Glenmoremoderate8.20
1276★☩Loch Avon Circular via Cairn Gorm Mountainhard9.00
1605Loch an Eilein & Rothiemurchus Forest from Loch Morlicheasy/mod10.00
2031Abernethy Forest, Cairngormseasy/mod10.20
1881★☩Ben Macdui & Cairn Lochan from the Ski Centrehard10.40
2607★☩Lairig Ghru & Chalamain Gap from Glenmoremod/hard11.00
2314★☩Cairngorm & Ben Macdui from the ski centrehard11.00
2421★☩Braeriach via the Chalamain Gaphard15.00
1721★☩Braeriach via Lairig Ghruhard18.20
1020Glenmore to Linn of Dee via Lairig Ghru & Corrourhard21.00
3076★☩Cairn Toul Circularsevere26.50
1016★☩Devil's Point, Cairn Toul, Braeriach & Lairig Ghruvery hard28.00
 

Fort William, Glencoe & Lochaber Walks

Fort William is an excellent base for walking with a wide range of routes from low-level hikes to very challenging days in the superb mountains in this area. Some of the routes below do suffer from large numbers of walkers including Ben Nevis. However, for those preferring quieter days, Lochaber sees far few visitors. In winter many of the routes become serious propositions and should only be attempted by well-equipped and experienced walkers.


 
WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
2166Laggan Locks Circulareasy4.00
3010★☩Stob Dearg (Buachaille Etive Mor) from Altnafeadhmod/hard4.00
3322★☩Sgurr na Ciche (Pap of Glencoe)moderate4.20
1234★☩Pap of Glencoe (Route B)moderate4.20
2554★☩The Lost Valley, Glen Coeeasy/mod4.20
1162★☩Pap of Glencoemoderate4.20
3251★☩Bidean nam Bian via Stob Coire nan Lochan, Glencoehard5.00
1163★☩Fraoch Bheinn from Strathan (Loch Arkaig)moderate5.00
3095★☩Stob Ban (Mamores)mod/hard6.00
2819★☩Stob na Broige, Buchaille Etive Mor, Glen Coemod/hard6.10
3000★☩Sgorr Nam Fiannaidh & Stob Coire Leithhard6.20
3408★☩Beinn Resipolmoderate7.00
3255Coire Ardairmoderate7.50
3275★☩Ben Tee & Kilfinnan Falls from Lagganmod/hard7.50
3273★☩Ben Staravhard8.00
3118★☩Sgor na h'Ulaidh from Achnachon, Glen Coemod/hard8.00
1813★☩Sgurr Dhomhnuillmod/hard8.00
3269★☩The Munros of Buachaille Etive Mormod/hard8.20
3066★☩Carn Mor Dearg (via Allt a' Mhuilinn trail)mod/hard8.70
1338★☩Ben Nevis Tourist Pathmod/hard8.70
2824Arkaig Hills Circularmoderate8.80
1161★☩Beinn Resipolhard9.00
2808★☩Buachaille Etive Beag, Glen Coehard9.00
2918★☩Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag - two of the "Lochaber giants"mod/hard9.00
3303★☩Mamores Ridge - Stob Ban, Am Bodach and Sgurr an Iubhairhard9.00
3506The Silver Walk & Castle Tioram, Loch Moidartmoderate9.50
1039★☩Am Bodach and Stob Coire a' Chairnmod/hard9.50
3270★☩Ben Nevismod/hard9.70
1879★☩Ben Starav & Glas Bheinn Mhor`hard10.00
3106★☩Binnein Mor from Kinlochlevenhard10.20
2105★☩Ben Nevis via Carn Mor Dearg aretehard10.50
2955★☩Ridges & peaks of Bidean Nam Bianvery hard10.50
1094★☩Blackwater Reservoirmoderate11.50
1496WHW - Day 6 - Kinlocheven to Fort Williammoderate15.00
1735★☩Monadh Beag and Meall a' Phubuillhard16.50
 

Central Highland & Torridon Walks

This area includes some iconic mountains including Beinn Eighe, Liathich and the peaks of Torridon. Also of interest to walkers are the wild and remote areas of Knoydart where self-sufficiency is the keyword.


 
WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
2504★☩Struie circulareasy/mod4.50
1344★☩Beinn Alligin & Sgurr Mormod/hard6.00
1018★☩Beinn Ghobhlachmoderate6.00
1530★☩Little Wyvis ascent from near Garvemoderate6.40
3289Loch Lundie from Invergarryeasy/mod6.50
1305★☩Sgurr nan Fhir Duibhe from Kinlochewehard7.50
2468★☩The Falls of Glomach from Morvichmoderate7.50
1773★☩Ben Wyvis (western approach)mod/hard8.00
3083★☩Five Sisters Ridge, North Glen Shielvery hard8.00
1886Carn a' Bhealaich Mhoireasy/mod8.00
1347★☩Meall a' Ghiubhais from Kinlochewemoderate8.00
3268★☩Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair (Beinn Eighe)moderate8.30
2593★☩Liathach, Glen Torridonvery hard8.50
1791Tarbat Ness from Porthmahomackmoderate9.00
2120★☩The Munros of Beinn Eighe, Torridonhard10.80
1781Loch Affric Circularmoderate11.00
2117★☩Beinn Eighe - West to East traverse, Torridonhard12.30
2118★☩Beinn Eighe traverse including Black Carls, Torridonhard12.50
2119★☩Beinn Eighe - The Munros & Sail Mhor, Torridonhard13.00
2116Beinn Eighe Route Guidehard13.00
1789★☩Mam Sodhail & Carn Eighehard14.40
2106★☩Ullapool - a Munro Quartet including Beinn Deargvery hard16.00
2513Five day Knoydart explorationvery hard91.40
 

Northern Highland Walks

Walking in this part of Highland is a delight. Often you have the route to yourself and are able to enjoy the solitude. The area also has many coastal walks including Handa Island with its abundant seabird colonies.


 
WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
2529★☩Stac Pollaidh Circulareasy/mod2.80
1312Achmelvich Bay and Alltanabradhaneasy3.00
1666Stacks of Duncansbyeasy3.00
1319The Bone Caves of Inchnadampheasy3.00
1017★☩Stac Pollaidheasy/mod3.00
3261Handa Island - Scottish Wildlife Trusteasy4.00
1266The Old Man of Stoer and the Point of Stoereasy4.50
3101★☩Ben Bhraggie traverseeasy/mod4.70
1317★☩Sail Gharbh (Quinag) from Kyleskumoderate5.40
1316Falls of Kirkaigeasy5.80
1117★☩Glas Bheinn & Eas a' Chual Aluinn (waterfall)mod/hard8.50
2274★☩Cul Mor from Knockan Cragmod/hard8.50
1318Sandwood Baymoderate10.00
3287★☩Morven, Smean & Maiden Paphard10.20
3272★☩Conival & Ben More Assynt from Inchnadamphhard11.00
1769★☩Suilven (North-western approach)hard12.00
2530★☩The Foinaven & Arkle Traversevery hard16.50
 

Isle of Skye Walks

The Isle of Skye is a land of contrasts. On one had there are some great undemanding walks suitable for all walkers. However the Cuillin Mountains offer some of the toughest Alpine routes in the British Isles.


 
WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
1164The Storr Sanctuary from Loch Leatheneasy/mod3.20
1165The Quirangeasy3.20
1166Loch Coruiskeasy4.00
3760★☩Glamaig (Sgurr Mhairi & An Coileach)mod/hard4.50
1167★☩Glen Brittle & Coire Laganmoderate4.60
2640★☩The Storr & Old Man of Storr from Loch Leathanmoderate5.50
3216★☩Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh and Sgurr na Banachdichvery hard5.50
2197★☩The Inaccessible Pinnacle and Sgurr Mhic Choinnichvery hard6.00
3753★☩Blabheinn via south ridgemod/hard8.00
2589★☩Marsco from the Sligachan Hotel, Isle of Skyemoderate8.70
2002★☩Dun Caan, Isle of Raasaymoderate10.60

Walks that start in adjacent counties / areas.

Walks that start in adjacent counties or areas but cross the boundary and include sections of the route within Highland.

WalkDescriptionStarts In
1495WHW - Day 5 - Inveroran to KinlochlevenArgyll and Bute
2552West Highland Way ExperienceEast Dunbartonshire
1490West Highland Way - A personal experienceEast Dunbartonshire
1119★☩Ben Macdui & Carn a' MhaimAberdeenshire

★ GPS file ☩ Route profile

Location Map

location map

Highland Guide

Highland is an administrative area which contains most of the Scottish Highlands. It is sparsely populated and contains some of the finest scenery in the British Isles. High Mountains, deep glens and lochs contain many great walks. The area includes Ben Nevis the highest mountain in the UK. The area also includes part of the Cairngorm National Park, an area of high mountains, and glorious Isle of Skye.

Other walks in Britain - For a list of all the areas where walks are available go to the Main Walk Index.

Walk grading - Learn how each walk is assessed and select a walk to suit your ability and experience by going to Walk Grading Details.

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