Highland WalksWalking 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.
Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
---|---|---|---|
1906★ | Lochan Mor & Rothiemurchus Forest from Inverdruie | easy/mod | 3.60 |
1904★ | Loch Morlich circular (near Aviemore) | easy | 4.00 |
2067★ | Rothiemurchus Forest via Balvattan from Coylumbridge | easy/mod | 4.60 |
1505★☩ | Craigellachie National Nature Reserve | easy/mod | 5.00 |
3579★☩ | Meall a'Bhuachaille & Ryvoan Bothy from Glenmore | moderate | 5.50 |
1390★☩ | Cairn Lochan via the Fiacaill Buttress from Ski Centre | very hard | 5.70 |
2672★☩ | Cairngorm Mountain via Coire an t-Sneachda | mod/hard | 6.00 |
2931★ | Creagan an Fhithich from Falls of Truim | easy/mod | 6.30 |
3299★ | Loch an Eilein from Coylumbridge | easy/mod | 7.00 |
2412★☩ | Craiggowrie & Creagan Gorm from Loch Morlich | mod/hard | 7.30 |
3218★☩ | Eag a' Chait gap Via Rothiemurchus Lodge from Glenmore | moderate | 8.20 |
1276★☩ | Loch Avon Circular via Cairn Gorm Mountain | hard | 9.00 |
1605★ | Loch an Eilein & Rothiemurchus Forest from Loch Morlich | easy/mod | 10.00 |
2031★ | Abernethy Forest, Cairngorms | easy/mod | 10.20 |
1881★☩ | Ben Macdui & Cairn Lochan from the Ski Centre | hard | 10.40 |
2607★☩ | Lairig Ghru & Chalamain Gap from Glenmore | mod/hard | 11.00 |
2314★☩ | Cairngorm & Ben Macdui from the ski centre | hard | 11.00 |
2421★☩ | Braeriach via the Chalamain Gap | hard | 15.00 |
1721★☩ | Braeriach via Lairig Ghru | hard | 18.20 |
1020★ | Glenmore to Linn of Dee via Lairig Ghru & Corrour | hard | 21.00 |
3076★☩ | Cairn Toul Circular | severe | 26.50 |
1016★☩ | Devil's Point, Cairn Toul, Braeriach & Lairig Ghru | very hard | 28.00 |
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.
Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
---|---|---|---|
2166★ | Laggan Locks Circular | easy | 4.00 |
3010★☩ | Stob Dearg (Buachaille Etive Mor) from Altnafeadh | mod/hard | 4.00 |
3322★☩ | Sgurr na Ciche (Pap of Glencoe) | moderate | 4.20 |
1234★☩ | Pap of Glencoe (Route B) | moderate | 4.20 |
2554★☩ | The Lost Valley, Glen Coe | easy/mod | 4.20 |
1162★☩ | Pap of Glencoe | moderate | 4.20 |
3251★☩ | Bidean nam Bian via Stob Coire nan Lochan, Glencoe | hard | 5.00 |
1163★☩ | Fraoch Bheinn from Strathan (Loch Arkaig) | moderate | 5.00 |
3095★☩ | Stob Ban (Mamores) | mod/hard | 6.00 |
2819★☩ | Stob na Broige, Buchaille Etive Mor, Glen Coe | mod/hard | 6.10 |
3000★☩ | Sgorr Nam Fiannaidh & Stob Coire Leith | hard | 6.20 |
3408★☩ | Beinn Resipol | moderate | 7.00 |
3255★ | Coire Ardair | moderate | 7.50 |
3275★☩ | Ben Tee & Kilfinnan Falls from Laggan | mod/hard | 7.50 |
3273★☩ | Ben Starav | hard | 8.00 |
3118★☩ | Sgor na h'Ulaidh from Achnachon, Glen Coe | mod/hard | 8.00 |
1813★☩ | Sgurr Dhomhnuill | mod/hard | 8.00 |
3269★☩ | The Munros of Buachaille Etive Mor | mod/hard | 8.20 |
3066★☩ | Carn Mor Dearg (via Allt a' Mhuilinn trail) | mod/hard | 8.70 |
1338★☩ | Ben Nevis Tourist Path | mod/hard | 8.70 |
2824★ | Arkaig Hills Circular | moderate | 8.80 |
1161★☩ | Beinn Resipol | hard | 9.00 |
2808★☩ | Buachaille Etive Beag, Glen Coe | hard | 9.00 |
2918★☩ | Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag - two of the "Lochaber giants" | mod/hard | 9.00 |
3303★☩ | Mamores Ridge - Stob Ban, Am Bodach and Sgurr an Iubhair | hard | 9.00 |
3506★ | The Silver Walk & Castle Tioram, Loch Moidart | moderate | 9.50 |
1039★☩ | Am Bodach and Stob Coire a' Chairn | mod/hard | 9.50 |
3270★☩ | Ben Nevis | mod/hard | 9.70 |
1879★☩ | Ben Starav & Glas Bheinn Mhor` | hard | 10.00 |
3106★☩ | Binnein Mor from Kinlochleven | hard | 10.20 |
2105★☩ | Ben Nevis via Carn Mor Dearg arete | hard | 10.50 |
2955★☩ | Ridges & peaks of Bidean Nam Bian | very hard | 10.50 |
1094★☩ | Blackwater Reservoir | moderate | 11.50 |
1496★ | WHW - Day 6 - Kinlocheven to Fort William | moderate | 15.00 |
1735★☩ | Monadh Beag and Meall a' Phubuill | hard | 16.50 |
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.
Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
---|---|---|---|
2504★☩ | Struie circular | easy/mod | 4.50 |
1344★☩ | Beinn Alligin & Sgurr Mor | mod/hard | 6.00 |
1018★☩ | Beinn Ghobhlach | moderate | 6.00 |
1530★☩ | Little Wyvis ascent from near Garve | moderate | 6.40 |
3289★ | Loch Lundie from Invergarry | easy/mod | 6.50 |
1305★☩ | Sgurr nan Fhir Duibhe from Kinlochewe | hard | 7.50 |
2468★☩ | The Falls of Glomach from Morvich | moderate | 7.50 |
1773★☩ | Ben Wyvis (western approach) | mod/hard | 8.00 |
3083★☩ | Five Sisters Ridge, North Glen Shiel | very hard | 8.00 |
1886★ | Carn a' Bhealaich Mhoir | easy/mod | 8.00 |
1347★☩ | Meall a' Ghiubhais from Kinlochewe | moderate | 8.00 |
3268★☩ | Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair (Beinn Eighe) | moderate | 8.30 |
2593★☩ | Liathach, Glen Torridon | very hard | 8.50 |
1791★ | Tarbat Ness from Porthmahomack | moderate | 9.00 |
2120★☩ | The Munros of Beinn Eighe, Torridon | hard | 10.80 |
1781★ | Loch Affric Circular | moderate | 11.00 |
2117★☩ | Beinn Eighe - West to East traverse, Torridon | hard | 12.30 |
2118★☩ | Beinn Eighe traverse including Black Carls, Torridon | hard | 12.50 |
2119★☩ | Beinn Eighe - The Munros & Sail Mhor, Torridon | hard | 13.00 |
2116 | Beinn Eighe Route Guide | hard | 13.00 |
1789★☩ | Mam Sodhail & Carn Eighe | hard | 14.40 |
2106★☩ | Ullapool - a Munro Quartet including Beinn Dearg | very hard | 16.00 |
2513★ | Five day Knoydart exploration | very hard | 91.40 |
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.
Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
---|---|---|---|
2529★☩ | Stac Pollaidh Circular | easy/mod | 2.80 |
1312★ | Achmelvich Bay and Alltanabradhan | easy | 3.00 |
1666★ | Stacks of Duncansby | easy | 3.00 |
1319★ | The Bone Caves of Inchnadamph | easy | 3.00 |
1017★☩ | Stac Pollaidh | easy/mod | 3.00 |
3261★ | Handa Island - Scottish Wildlife Trust | easy | 4.00 |
1266★ | The Old Man of Stoer and the Point of Stoer | easy | 4.50 |
3101★☩ | Ben Bhraggie traverse | easy/mod | 4.70 |
1317★☩ | Sail Gharbh (Quinag) from Kylesku | moderate | 5.40 |
1316★ | Falls of Kirkaig | easy | 5.80 |
1117★☩ | Glas Bheinn & Eas a' Chual Aluinn (waterfall) | mod/hard | 8.50 |
2274★☩ | Cul Mor from Knockan Crag | mod/hard | 8.50 |
1318★ | Sandwood Bay | moderate | 10.00 |
3287★☩ | Morven, Smean & Maiden Pap | hard | 10.20 |
3272★☩ | Conival & Ben More Assynt from Inchnadamph | hard | 11.00 |
1769★☩ | Suilven (North-western approach) | hard | 12.00 |
2530★☩ | The Foinaven & Arkle Traverse | very hard | 16.50 |
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.
Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
---|---|---|---|
1164★ | The Storr Sanctuary from Loch Leathen | easy/mod | 3.20 |
1165★ | The Quirang | easy | 3.20 |
1166★ | Loch Coruisk | easy | 4.00 |
3760★☩ | Glamaig (Sgurr Mhairi & An Coileach) | mod/hard | 4.50 |
1167★☩ | Glen Brittle & Coire Lagan | moderate | 4.60 |
2640★☩ | The Storr & Old Man of Storr from Loch Leathan | moderate | 5.50 |
3216★☩ | Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh and Sgurr na Banachdich | very hard | 5.50 |
2197★☩ | The Inaccessible Pinnacle and Sgurr Mhic Choinnich | very hard | 6.00 |
3753★☩ | Blabheinn via south ridge | mod/hard | 8.00 |
2589★☩ | Marsco from the Sligachan Hotel, Isle of Skye | moderate | 8.70 |
2002★☩ | Dun Caan, Isle of Raasay | moderate | 10.60 |
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.
Walk | Description | Starts In |
---|---|---|
1495 | WHW - Day 5 - Inveroran to Kinlochleven | Argyll and Bute |
2552 | West Highland Way Experience | East Dunbartonshire |
1490 | West Highland Way - A personal experience | East Dunbartonshire |
1119★☩ | Ben Macdui & Carn a' Mhaim | Aberdeenshire |
★ GPS file ☩ Route profile
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.
Mountain Weather
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