{"id":23860,"date":"2023-02-15T12:00:16","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T11:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=12507"},"modified":"2023-02-16T10:38:12","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T09:38:12","slug":"scotlands-best-walks","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/scotlands-best-walks\/","title":{"rendered":"Scotland\u2019s best walks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Explore the Highlands, Scottish Isles, Borders and more with our guide on the best walks in Scotland. Whether you’re looking for long-distance Highland hikes, coastal treks or short river walks and loch-side strolls we have walking routes for all abilities. <\/p>

By Daniel Graham\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 15 February 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Scotland is a walker\u2019s paradise. One day you could be hiking in the Scottish Highlands<\/a>, the next walking along the white sands of a remote beach.<\/p>\n

There is also a more unassuming side to Scotland\u2019s trails, with quiet valleys and accessible foothills, making it the perfect walking retreat for all abilities and families.<\/p>\n

Here is our pick of the best day walks and hiking routes in Scotland, including the Scottish Borders, Highlands and Scottish Isles.<\/p>\n

Looking for more walks in the UK? Check out our favourite walks in England<\/a>, Wales<\/a> and Northern Ireland<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The view from Glencoe Lochan towards the southern Highlands of Scotland\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

25 spectacular walks in Scotland<\/h2>\n

Beinn Eighe, Highland<\/h3>\n

4 miles\/6.5km | 3.5 hours | moderate<\/em><\/p>\n

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Slioch seen from southern shores of Loch Maree and Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

It\u2019s not every day you get to climb a nature trail through ancient forest and on bare rock to enter an exposed, windswept lunar-like landscape of ice-scraped quartzite slabs. It\u2019s not every day you get to walk in the company of golden eagles, sea eagles<\/a>, red deer<\/a> and, if you\u2019re very lucky, pine martens<\/a> and rare Scottish wildcats. But then, it\u2019s not every day you get to visit Torridon\u2019s Beinn Eighe, Britain\u2019s oldest and one of its highest National Nature Reserves.<\/p>\n

This is a land of superlatives, as hikers discover on the \u2018Mountain Trail\u2019 that climbs to 560m on its north-eastern flanks \u2013 the country\u2019s only waymarked mountain walk.<\/p>\n

Beinn Eighe walking route and map<\/a><\/p>\n

Ben Nevis, Highland<\/h3>\n

9.7 miles\/15.6km | 6-10 hours | challenging<\/em><\/p>\n

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Loch Eil and Ben Nevis in Scotland\/Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
The path to Ben Nevis starts close to sea level and involves a huge vertical ascent to reach the summit at 1,345m (4,413ft). Initially a good, wide path ascends the lower slopes but this deteriorates on the higher, rougher, granite boulder-and-scree-strewn ground below the summit.<\/div>\n\n
Experienced walkers should complete the return route in five to six hours, others may take up to ten hours. Competency in mountain navigation is essential.<\/div>\n\n
During the winter months and into early summer, when snow still covers the upper part of the mountain, you may also need an ice axe and crampons \u2013 and know how to use them. Mid to late summer is the best time for an ascent.<\/div>\n\n
Ben Nevis walking route and map<\/a><\/div>\n

The Quiraing, Isle of Skye<\/h3>\n

3.4km\/2.1 miles | 1.5 hours | moderate<\/em><\/p>\n

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Climb through the peaks of\u00a0The Quiraing, Isle of Skye\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The Old Man of Storr is kept company by other rock spires, collectively called the Sanctuary. These pinnacles and their brothers on the Quiraing were formed as the result of landslips that occurred on the 19-mile long escarpment. Gravity caused the immense weight of the upper volcanic layers of the Trotternish ridge to dislodge the weaker underlying sedimentary rock layers.<\/p>\n

Now\u00a0the entire escarpment can be walked as part of a very long outing, but most walkers might find it easier to explore the broad ridge on a shorter ramble.A two-mile hike to the peak of the unique\u00a0and breathtakingly dramatic Quiraing on the\u00a0Isle of Skye.<\/p>\n

Quiraing walking route and map<\/a><\/p>\n

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