25 great Scottish walks with stunning scenery

Though there are thousands of superb walks in Scotland, some are a step above the rest. We've compiled a list of twenty-five great Scottish walks to get stuck into this National Walking Month.

By The Newsroom Friday, 4th May 2018, 4:12 pm Updated Friday, 4th May 2018, 4:15 pm

Lochnagar

Located by the Balmoral Estate, Lochnagar is every bit as regal as its royal company. And other than a small boulder field, the Aberdeenshire peak can be climbed with relative ease by walkers.

Sign up to our daily newsletter The i newsletter cut through the noise Sign up Thanks for signing up! Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting...

The view of its northern corrie is a spectacular sight to behold and has provided inspiration to the likes of Lord Byron.

Those looking for a far more gruelling challenge might want to consider adding on four Munros and tackling the White Mounth range.

Bidean nam Bian and The Lost Valley

Frequently touted by experienced Scottish walkers as their favourite walk in the country, a day out on Glencoe Munro Bidean nam Bian is one you won’t forget.

Located just off the A9 near Dunkeld, this wooded walk is peppered with ethereal Victorian follies and picture-perfect waterfalls.

The views of Ben Nevis, the Aonach Eagach Ridge and – on a clear day – Mull are quite remarkable.

The descent of this walk takes you through the incomparable Lost Valley.

The Lairig Ghru

This staggering mountain pass crosses from Braemar to Aviemore and possess a palpable charm and fascinating history.

The route climbs to 2,500 feet, sidelined by the country’s largest peaks throughout.

Quite simply the Lairig Ghru is one of the finest walks in Britain.

Anstruther to Crail

Passing intriguing coastal features and along some of Scotland’s finest beaches, this walk is one of the most popular sections of the Fife Coastal Trail. Start in Crail and follow the well made path linking the fishing village with Anstruther - the views over to the Isle of May and the Bass Rock are exquisite on a clear day

Arthur’s Seat

Plonked in the centre of Edinburgh, a stroll up this extinct volcano is an essential for visitors and locals alike.

As you stride through Holyrood Park the city feels a million miles away, with greenery and rugged scenery imposing on you at all sides.

From the peak the best views of the capital city are on offer.

Liathach

It’s easy to see why the pair of munros which make up the Liathach ridge are often regarded as the finest in the country.

Carved from ancient Torridonian sandstone, the prominent duo are impossibly perched above Glen Torridon making for a spectacular view.

A stride up these peaks requires nerves of steel.

St Abb’s Head

This dramatic stretch of rocky coast is sought after by walkers and wildlife alike.

This straightforward route provides stunning views of jagged coastal features and the nesting sites of migratory birds

Ben Lomond (Ptarmigan)

Ben Lomond is Scotland’s busiest peak, and its not simply due to its proximity to Glasgow. The views up and down the most famous of lochs, Loch Lomond are pleasing throughout

Walkers should hike up the south ridge’s well-trodden path to the top before descending the more rugged and criminallless popular Ptarmigan ridge.

Ben Cruachan

At 1,126 metres, Ben Cruachan is the tallest mountain in all of Argyll.

With its shapely peak and jagged neighbours a stroll up this Munro along with Stob Diamh is one of the classic Southern Highland hikes.

The West Highland Way

Scotland’s best known long distance walk - and for good reason - the West Highland Way acts as a whirlwind tour of some of the country’s finest scenery.

Stretching from Milngavie to Fort William, the West Highland Way takes in Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, Glen Nevis and other lesser known beauty spots. Punctuated with ample bunkhouses and pubs, walkers can re-energise that little bit easier with the help of ultra-friendly Highland hospitality.

The Cobbler

Despite its stature, this Corbett wins the beauty contest among its Munro neighbours

Possessing one of the most rugged summits, the Cobbler is a popular walk with Glasgow based walkers and it’s easy to see why.

Hikers should explore both of th Corbett’s tops before making their return to Arrochar.

The Queen’s View

The Scottish tourist boards poster boys are typically jagged, brutal - and admittedly magnificent - peaks in the country’s highlands. The Queen’s View in Perthshire is a different prospect, however.

Golden in autumn and a luscious green in summer, the tranquil Queen’s View is a gorgeous and understated view.

Combine your walk with a stroll along the Allean Forest trail.

The Hermitage

Located just off the A9 near Dunkeld, this wooded walk is peppered with ethereal Victorian follies and picture-perfect waterfalls.

Start by following the River Braan past Ossian’s Hall and continue until you reach Ossian’s Cave. From here follow the signs for Braan path to Rumbling Bridge.

Elie Chain Walk

This network of chains along this rugged stretch of Fife coast were erected by thrill-seeking Victorians.

Running up steep crags and along exposed cliffs you’ll spend much of the route on all fours as you attempt to traverse the rugged and rocky coast between Elie and Shell Bay.

Ben Avon

There’s no short route to this remote outlier of the Cairngorms.

The walk from Braemar is hugely rewarding to intrepid hikers, taking in a pleasant variety of landscapes including portions of forest and the enchanting Fairy’s Glen.

The peak itself is a granite otr jutting out of a spacious plateau - an extraordinary and otherworldly viewpoint.

The Great Glen Way

Beginning on the shores of Loch Linnhe and concluding in Inverness on the banks of the Moray Firth, this coast to coast walk follows the Great Glen fault-line which divides the Grampian Mountains from the Northwest Highlands.

Walkers who take the 117km walk be able to take in some of Scotland’s most picturesque lochs, including Loch Lochy, Loch Ness and Loch Oich.

The hardiest of hikers can incorporate this into a longer walk connecting up with either the East or West Highland Way.

South Glen Shiel Ridge

Nowhere in Scotland is it easier to bag several Munros in a single outing than on the South Glen Shiel Ridge.

Roughly ten miles long, this snaking ridge is blessed with seven (yes, seven) Munros, including the shapely Sgurr an Lochain, backdropped by Loch Duich.

Ben Nevis via the Carn Mor Dearg Arete

Not only is Ben Nevis Scotland’s tallest peak, it’s also one of its most photogenic.

Though the ‘mountain path’ to its peak is well-trodden, those looking for the best views of big Ben should consider the trickier Carn Mor Dearg Arete route.

The view of the arete curving up to the mountain’s peak is one of the finest in the country.

The Quiraing

Epic almost seems like an understatement when describing this landslip on the eastern face of Meall na Suiramach. Backdropped by Staffin Bay, the views of Quiraing are simply breathtaking. Walking above the cliffs and admiring views of the Needle Rock and the Table Rock leaves most walkers with dropped jaws.

Suilven

Situated in Sutherland, the prominent peak is typically snow-free within the first couple months of spring.

Though Suilven looks near impossible to summit from its foot, a well pathed - albeit steep - route means that the Graham is perfectly accessible.

Achmelvich Beach

Located to the west of the hugely remote region of Assynt, a walk along Achmelvich Beach is one of the highlights of any tour of the NC500.

The impossibly white sands of the beach curve in a crescent shape along the bright blue northwest coast.

Loch Affric Circuit

Situated north of the Great Glen, Glen Affric is a remote as it is beautiful.

A circuit of its loch takes you through the country’s most stunning - and some of its most ancient - woodland, overlooked by several Munros and Corbetts.

An Teallach traverse

Reserved for the most experienced walkers, a day on An Teallach is day one won’t forget.

The dastardly jagged ridge which links Sgurr Fiona and Bidein a Ghlas Thuill has to be seen to be believed. The view from Bidein a Ghlas Thuill to Sgurr Fiona are simply astonishing.

Corrie Fee

Those who have climbed Angus’ two Munros, Mayar and Driesh, will already be familiar with Corrie Fee, a staggering basin of jagged rock. Reaching it involves a walk through the wooded Glen Doll estate, the trees of which act as a screen to Corrie Fee which only become visible once through the woodland, making for a grand reveal.

Ring of Steall

Those who take on the Ring of Steall require nerves of steel due to the exposed aretes which connect the series of mountains. Taking in four Munros, the Ring of Steall is a classic circuit, revered by Scotland’s most experienced hikers.

Old Man of Hoy

The well trodden path from Rastwick to a viewpoint of the spectacular sea stack is an essential jaunt for visitors of the Isle of Orkney.