The Best Hiking Trails in Highland

With one of Scotland's finest pubs - The Clachaig Inn - nearby and some of the easiest access mountain scenery in Lochaber, this is a great little hike. It does take in a small "summit" (if we're generous with the word) but this is firmly a valley walk....

The Quiraing is a series of hills and cliffs that were formed as a result of a massive landslip. The geological formation consists of steep cliffs, towering pinnacles, and plateaus that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape....

Cow Hill blocks the view of Ben Nevis from Fort William village centre so it is an annoyance to most tourists, but a great viewpoint for those who make the effort to climb it! You can begin this hike from anywhere in Fort William but we've drawn it from the edge of town, where the path enters a forest....

It starts at a large (and often busy!) carpark and is clearly signposted, along with more distant objectives such as Corrour Station and Kinlockleven. The trail is generally quite rough and rocky, but always clear and easy to follow....

Hiking to Steall Falls is an exhilarating and rewarding experience that takes you through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Scottish Highlands. The trail to Steall Falls begins near the village of Glen Nevis and follows a narrow and steep path through the valley, surrounded by towering mountains and dense forests....

The Cuillins of Skye are legendary, and are widely considered to make up one of, if not the, finest single mountain range in the UK. The traverse along their tops is certainly one of the most sought after mountaineering objectives in the country....

This is a long easy stretch on forest tracks then brings you out in Glen Nevis at the foot of The Ben. That's the scenery done with, and by rights the trail should probably finish here; but of course it continues for a couple of miles of pavement walking into the middle of Fort William....

At first glance this might look like "just" a short stroll above a village, but Ballachulish's spectacular position, on the shore of Loch Leven, mean that even a small excursion like this yields huge views....

Start in Coille na Glas-leitire, a thriving Scots pine wood and a showpiece of the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve (established in 1951 - Britain's first). Running from the loch up through the woods to a rocky shoulder at about half height, the circular 'Mountain Trail' gives the most logical access route....

The Garbh Bheinn hike is a stunningly beautiful and challenging route that should not be missed. The path winds up the hillside and offers sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. As you make your way up, the terrain gradually changes from a gentle incline to a steep climb, with plenty of rocky outcrops and crags to test your limits....

This is most popular route to the summit of Ben Nevis and it's a technically easy but physically challenging hike in good conditions. It used to be known as the "Tourist Path" but had a name change in 2004 as it was felt, rightly, that the old name didn't quite convey how challenging the ascent is....

The Scottish National Trail is a superb long-distance trek that spans the country from south to north, passing through both of its national parks and the capital city. In the Lowlands, it follows established paths and roads to link cities, but becomes progressively more difficult heading northward, requiring wilderness backpacking on a route through the Highlands that is marked in places and pathless in others....

With expansive views across the Eastern Highlands and 3 Munros en route, it's easy to understand why this is considered such a famous and iconic hike. The route begins at the carpark of Cairngorm Mountain resort and the fact that you can drive to such a high altitude (over 600 metres asl) means that there is relatively little uphill hiking required to tag these 3 summits....

This section passes beneath the dramatic crags of The Buachaille, up the zigzags of the Devil's Staircase and over a high pass with views of the magnificent Mamores range; then down into the deep wooded glen of Kinlochleven, a small town with a fascinating industrial past, hidden away at the head of a fjord-like sea loch - there's a lot to be said for this fairly short stage of the WHW....

Although the route described here is the reverse of the more common one, it offers something different in terms of views, and saves the highlight, Stob Dearg, until last. This muscular peak is unmissable as one enters Glen Coe, and for many it signals the beginning of the Highlands....

The Sgorr na Ciche (Pap of Glencoe) hike is an incredible walk through the breathtaking Scottish Highlands. The trail is not overly challenging, but it can be quite strenuous due to the uneven terrain....

Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands lies the awe-inspiring Stob Dubh hike. As you ascend the slopes of Buachaille Etive Beag, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and on a clear day Blackwater Reservoir As you make your way up the path, you’ll be greeted by an abundance of wildlife and natural beauty, with the chance to spot a golden eagle or a red deer along the way....

Starting in Kinlochleven and then ascending to a stunning blunt ridge, this is a wonderful trip which is long enough to satisfy even the keenest of hikers. At times the path is not overly clear so you'll need a bit of experience in route finding and spotting signs of previous hikers, but generally the route is obvious and intuitive....

Fissured crags ring three sides of the monolith, rising to a striking sawn-off summit plateau; only the southeast flank offers a hands-free line of weakness. With a long approach through pretty woods, and arguably some of the best summit views in Scotland at the end of it, this route is a real gem....

With quick access from the Cairngorm Mountain carpark and a scramble which feels interesting but never hard, the Fiacaill Ridge is a popular half day excursion. The ridge can be climbed in summer or winter conditions, so we've shown it as being suitable for every month of the year....