The best hiking trails in Scotland

Going hiking in Scotland? Discover the best hikes and walking trails in Scotland and immerse yourself in nature. Scotland's long-distance walking routes, such as the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way, are amongst the best hiking trails whether you're a novice or experienced hiker. Walking routes in Scotland are distinctively waymarked, largely off-road and traffic free, and have a range of visitor services along the way. Perfect if you're planning a multi-day walk or overnight stay.

A group of friends explore the Perthshire Countryside and set off to climb the famous Schiehallon Munro
© Perth and Kinross council / Fred Murray

10 Unmissable walking routes

Walkers on the West Highland Way
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Along Scotland's long distance walking trails, you can explore the best of Scotland's nature and landscapes and experience a wealth of history and culture. Discover some of our unmissable walking routes here:

Don't forget to scroll down and see the full list of long distance route options below.

Looking for an epic route for your first challenge? Discover long distance walking routes for beginners.

Brodick Bay
© Barry Dawson / Ayrshire & Arran Tourism Group

Coastal trails

The Bridge To Nowhere at Belhaven Bay
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Breathe in refreshing salty air, immerse yourself in dramatic seascapes, explore quiet coves and bays and see some spectacular marine wildlife, with this collection of sublime coastal trails.

John Muir Way

Start: Helensburgh, Argyll
End: Dunbar, East Lothian
Length: 134 miles (215 km)
Timing: 7 - 10 days

The coast to coast John Muir Way celebrates John Muir as the father of National Parks and global conservationism.

Mull of Galloway Trail

Start: Mull of Galloway
End: Glenapp
Length: 35 miles (56 km)
Timing: 2 - 3 days

The Mull of Galloway Trail runs from Scotland's most south-westerly tip, through Stranraer and on to Glenapp, linking with the Ayrshire Coastal Path.

West Island Way

Start: Kilchattan Bay, Isle of Bute
End: Kames Bay, Isle of Bute
Length: 30 miles (48 km)
Timing: 2 - 3 days

Explore the beautiful beaches, moorland, forest and farmland of the West Island Way on the Isle of Bute, in the Forth of Clyde.

Berwickshire Coastal Path

Start: Cockburnspath, Scottish Borders
End: Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland
Length: 28.5 miles (45 km)
Timing: 2 - 4 days

The lovely Berwickshire Coastal Path in the south of Scotland takes in some of the UK's most spectacular cliff and coastal scenery.

Moray Coast Trail

Start: Findhorn
End: Cullen
Length: 50 miles (80 km)
Timing: 3 - 5 days

The Moray Coast Trail follows the Moray Coast with views across coves, beaches and skerries to the vastness of the Moray Firth and North Sea.

The beach at Brodick Bay with a view beyond to Goat Fell, Isle Of Arran

Arran Coastal Way

Start: Brodick
End: Brodick
Length: 65 miles (105 km)
Timing: 4 - 6 days

The Arran Coastal Way takes you in a loop around the beautiful Isle of Arran off the Ayrshire coast.

Ayrshire Coastal Path

Start: Glenapp
End: Skelmorlie
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Timing: 6 - 8 days

The Ayrshire Coastal Path offers dramatic views along the Ayrshire coast and across the Firth of Clyde.

Fife Coastal Path

Start: Kincardine Bridge
End: Newburgh
Length: 117 miles (187 km)
Timing: 7 - 9 days

Linking the Firths of Forth and Tay, the Fife Coastal Path goes through historic villages, award-winning beaches and wildlife reserves.

Kintyre Way

Start: Tarbert, Argyll
End: Machrihanish, Kintyre
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Timing: 7 - 10 days

Discover the lovely countryside, coast and beaches of the Kintyre peninsula along the Kintyre Way on Scotland's south-west coast.

John O'Groats Trail

Start: Inverness
End: John O'Groats
Length: 147 miles (237 km)
Timing: 9-14 days for the full trail, but there are many shorter or longer routes that are part of the trail

The John O'Groats Trail hugs the coastline from Inverness to John O'Groats and can be done in sections, as a long-distance route, or even from the start or the end of the journey to/from Lands End!

Hillwalkers, Buachaille Etive Mòr in Glencoe
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Mountains and lochs

If it's wild and wonderful you want, then these trails have this in abundance. Pack your rucksack (or - for the Great Glen Canoe Trail - load your canoe!) and experience some of the finest and most dramatic mountain and loch scenery to be found anywhere in Europe.

West Highland Way

Start: Milngavie, near Glasgow
End: Fort William
Length: 96 miles (153 km)
Timing: 6 – 8 days

Scotland’s most popular long distance route, the West Highland Way takes in some of Scotland's most iconic scenery.

Great Glen Way

Start: Fort William
End: Inverness
Length: 79 miles (127 km)
Timing: 5 – 6 days

The walking/biking equivalent of the Canoe Trail, the Great Glen Way threads its way through stunning mountain and loch scenery.

Three Lochs Way

Start: Balloch, Loch Lomond
End: Inveruglas, Loch Lomond
Length: 34 miles (54 km)
Timing: 2 – 3 days

Taking in Loch Lomond, The Gareloch and Loch Long, the Three Lochs Way is the perfect option for immersing yourself in sublime scenery.

The Loch Lomond & Cowal Way

Start: Portavadie, Cowal
End: Inveruglas, Loch Lomond
Length: 57 miles (91 km)
Timing: 3 – 5 days

The Loch Lomond & Cowal Way passes through stunning Argyll scenery via waymarked forest and hill tracks, quiet roads and serene shorelines.

Southern Upland Way

Start: Portpatrick, Dumfries & Galloway
End: Cockburnspath, Scottish Borders
Length: 212 miles (339 km)
Timing: 12 – 16 days

The epic coast-to-coast Southern Upland Way across the south of Scotland is our longest Great Trail.

The Great Trossachs Path

Start: Inversnaid, Loch Lomond
End: Callander, Trossachs
Length: 30 miles (48 km)
Timing: 2 – 3 days

Discover the treasures of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park along the fabulous Great Trossachs Path.

Great Glen Canoe Trail

Start: Caledonian Canal, near Fort William
End: Inverness
Length: 60 miles (96 km)
Timing: 5 days

The Great Glen Canoe Trail is a fabulous adventure for experienced canoeists following the Caledonian Canal and taking in several lochs including Loch Ness.

The Telford Bridge
© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Source to sea routes

The Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Follow these routes from their source to coastal end, stopping along the way at some remarkable visitor attractions. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for timid riverside wildlife or simply enjoy a picnic on a peaceful river bank.

Speyside Way

Start: Buckie
End: Newtonmore
Length: 100.6 miles (162 km)
Timing: 5 – 6 days

Linking the Moray Coast with the Cairngorms National Park, the Speyside Way passes through whisky country and leads into the UK’s largest National Park.

Clyde Walkway

Start: Partick, Glasgow’s West End
End: New Lanark World Heritage Site
Length: 40 miles (64 km)
Timing: 2 – 3 days

Connecting Scotland’s biggest city with a UNESCO World Heritage and the Falls of Clyde, the Clyde Walkway takes in history and wildlife along the way.

River Ayr Way

Start: Glenbuck Loch, East Ayrshire
End: Ayr, South Ayrshire
Length: 44 miles (70 km)
Timing: 3 – 4 days

Passing through historic landscapes and areas rich in wildlife, explore tranquil East Ayrshire before reaching the seaside town of Ayr along the River Ayr Way.

Annandale Way

Start: Devil’s Beef Tub, near Moffat
End: Annan, Dumfries & Galloway
Length: 55 miles (88 km)
Timing: 4 – 5 days

Heading through delightful Dumfries & Galloway countryside, with steep climbs and rough ground at times, the Annandale Way is a long distance route to savour.

Historical trails

Step back in time with these fascinating historical trails. Follow in the footsteps of pious monks and a saint or learn how less saintly Roman invaders, marauding cattle-rustlers and the notorious Rob Roy MacGregor left their indelible marks on today’s landscapes.

Cross Borders Drove Road

Start: Harperrig, Pentland Hills Regional Park
End: Hawick, Scottish Borders
Length: 52 miles (83 km)
Timing: 4 – 5 days

The Cross Borders Drove Road follows ancient routes once used for moving livestock to the old markets at Falkirk and Crieff.

Romans and Reivers Route

Start: Ae Forest, near Dumfries
End: Hawick, Scottish Borders
Length: 52 miles (83 km)
Timing: 4 – 5 days

Step back in time along the Romans and Reivers Route and discover old Roman roads and trails used by the notorious Border Reivers (raiders).

Borders Abbey Way

Start: Jedburgh
End: Jedburgh – though you could start and end at any of the towns along the route
Length: 68 miles (109 km)
Timing: 5 days

The circular Borders Abbeys Way links the four great ruined Borders abbeys at Jedburgh, Melrose, Kelso and Dryburgh.

St Cuthbert's Way

Start: Melrose, Scottish Borders
End: Lindisfarne/Holy Island, Northumberland
Length: 62.5 miles (100 km)
Timing: 5 days

Dedicated to St Cuthbert, a seventh century monk, bishop and hermit, the St Cuthbert's Way is a great route for revitalising body and spirit.

Rob Roy Way

Start: Drymen, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
End: Pitlochry, Perthshire
Length: 77 miles or 94 miles (123 or 150 km)
Timing: 7 days

Follow in the footsteps of one of our most celebrated outlaws (or folk heroes!) through outstanding Trossachs, Stirlingshire and Highland Perthshire scenery along the Rob Roy Way.

St Magnus Way

Start: Egilsay
End: St Magnus' Cathedral
Length: 58 miles
Timing: 4-5 days

Immerse yourself in Orkney's rich history and heritage by taking on St Magnus Way. The route is inspired by the life and death of Magnus, Orkney's patron saint.

Cateran Trail

Start/End: Route can be joined/end at any stage, but perhaps start and end in Alyth or Blairgowrie
Length: 64 miles (103 km)
Timing: 5 days

Follow the Cateran Trail and discover ancient tracks that were once used by cattle rustlers (Caterans) who plundered nearby glens from the middle ages to the 17th century.

Corpach Sea Lock and Lighthouse
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Towpaths, old trainlines and two wheels

The Falkirk Wheel
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Explore easy-going long distance routes that lie along some of our former railway lines, canal towpaths and quiet country roads, where the attractions and scenery will take your breath away.

Caledonian Canal

Start: Fort William
End: Inverness
Length: 60 miles (96 km)
Timing: 5 days

An engineering marvel, built by Thomas Telford, the Caledonian Canal runs through Neptune's Staircase and past lochs Lochy, Oich, Ness and Dochfour, before meeting the Moray Firth at Inverness.

Dava Way

Start: Forres
End: Grantown-on-Spey
Length: 24 miles (38 km)
Timing: 2 days

The Dava Way, through Speyside and the Cairngorms National Park, follows the old Highland Railway line, climbing from sea level to 1050 feet at Dava summit.

Formartine & Buchan Way

Start: Dyce, near Aberdeen
End: Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire
Length: 40 miles (64km) - with 13-mile (21 km) spur option from Maud to Peterhead
Timing: 3 - 4 days

Passing through some lovely Aberdeenshire countryside, this route runs along the old Formartine & Buchan railway line.

Union and Forth & Clyde Canal Towpaths

Start: Bowling, West Dunbartonshire
End: Edinburgh
Length: 62 miles (100 km)
Timing: 4 - 5 days

Cutting Scotland in half between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde, the Union and Forth & Clyde Canal Towpath route follows marvellously engineered and flat towpaths.

The Lochs & Glens Way

Start: Glasgow
End: Inverness
Length: 215 miles (346 km)
Timing: 5 - 12 days

The Lochs and Glens Way long distance cycling route runs through some of the finest central belt and Highlands scenery and crosses through Scotland's two national parks.

The harbour at Crinan, Argyll
© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Crinan Canal

Start: Crinan
End: Ardrishaig
Length: 9 miles (14 km)
Timing: 1 day

Set amidst breathtaking Argyll scenery, cross the Mull of Kintyre on the short but rewarding Crinan Canal towpath.

The Hebridean Way

Start: Isle of Vatersay, Outer Hebrides
End: Butt of Lewis, Outer Hebrides
Length: 150 miles (240 km)
Timing: 6 days

Enjoy a two-wheeled island odyssey like no other exploring the Outer Hebrides archipelago along the awesome Hebridean Way. This epic route, on the very edge of Europe, uses causeways and ferries to hop between islands.

The Caledonia Way

Start: Campbeltown, Kintyre
End: Inverness
Length: 237 miles (379 km)
Timing: 6 - 11 days

Experience Scotland's magical west coast by bike along the Caledonia Way. From the quiet roads and captivating coastline of Kintyre, to the lochs and mountains of Argyll and The Highlands, this is a route to savour.

More walks in Scotland

Enjoy family-friendly walks

Many of Scotland's trails and routes are family-friendly and it's a great way to get the kids outdoors for some fresh Scottish air.

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