10 Best Walks In Scotland

best walks in scotland
Pala
Pala 
Published
| 5 min read

Scotland is an intriguingly beautiful nation, with its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and innumerable tourist attractions. The country also has a string of exciting walking routes, some of which are considered to be the finest in the world. There are trails, which have been properly waymarked and are great for anyone who wishes to discover the nation by bike, on foot, or even in a canoe. However, if you love walking, there is nothing like that as these are mostly off-road, as well as, traffic-free, with an array of services for the walkers along the way. Enjoy these trails the way you like to - alone or with your family and friends going for a day or an afternoon trip, or you may even plan a walk for multiple days. From one-day to multi-day walks, here’s a rundown of the best walks in Scotland. So, take out your walking shoes and get going.

1. Mull Of Galloway Trail

Mull of Galloway 05-09-03 33
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user AHEMSLTD~commonswiki used under CC BY 2.5

The Mull of Galloway Trail is a fabulous 40 km (24.85 mi) long trail. The walk begins from a quaint lighthouse located at Scotland’s southernmost tip, to a town called Stranraer. A major part of the walk follows the coastline of a remote peninsula called the Rhins of Galloway. You will also cross some tranquil villages and sandy beaches on your way, before reaching the cross-country stretch, which is the final lap of your journey. The route is frequently in proximity to roads, but also covers shoreline paths in between, making it an extremely attractive walk.

Mull Of Galloway Trail

Address: Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Website: Mull Of Galloway Trail

Visited this place?

2. West Island Way

West Island Way geograph 3686625
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Richard Webb used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Stretching for about 48.28 km (30 mi), you can walk over West Island Way within four half-days or two full-day walks. The path opened in 2000 and is considered to be the very first on any Scottish island. It constitutes some of the best walking routes on the Isle of Bute. On your way, you will cross diverse landscapes, moorland, seashore, wood, and farmland - all of them offering a changing image of Bute. The walk also offers excellent chances to catch sight of wildlife such as a Red Deer, a Basking Shark, or even an Osprey. The Way also passes through many iconic attractions, including the ancient St Blane’s Chapel.

West Island Way

Address: Isle of Bute, Scotland, UK

Website: West Island Way

Visited this place?

3. Fife Coastal Path

Fife Coastal Path
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Stuart Westwater used under CC BY 3.0

The Fife Coastal Path is 183 km (113.71 mi) long and connects the country’s Forth and Tay Estuaries. The path will enable you to catch glimpses of the different types of landscapes of Fife. Also, this walking route connects some of the most scenic former fishing hamlets of Scotland. You will cross the seaside town of St. Andrews, along with its renowned University of St Andrews. There will be several miles of beautiful forests, nature reserves, and golden sea beaches on your way. The route will also take you across industrial towns like Leven and Kirkcaldy.

Fife Coastal Path

Address: Fife, Scotland

Website: Fife Coastal Path

Visited this place?

4. Rob Roy Way

Čtyři hodiny odpoledne a my jsme ještě nebyli ani v půlce cesty - konec cesty byl na druhé straně jezera, kterou jsme...

Posted by Petra Plšková on Friday, 25 April 2014

This long-distance footpath in Scotland starts from Drymen and ends in Perth & Kinross. Rob Roy Way was opened in 2002 and got its name from the famous folk hero of Scotland, Rob Roy MacGregor. It happens to be a multi-day walking trail - around 7 days to be precise - and includes some of the most gorgeous countryside views. The walk covers the same paths and tracks that Rob Roy MacGregor used in the 17th and 18th centuries. You will walk past lochs, mountains, and rivers, while soaking up some of the greatest scenery of Scotland.

Rob Roy Way

Address: Stirling and Perth and Kinross, Scotland

Website: Rob Roy Way

Visited this place?

5. Great Trossachs Path


The Great Trossachs Path connects Loch Lomond with the Trossachs and passes through places such as Stronachlachar, the Loch Katrine, and Brig o’ Turk. The path also links the West Highland Way with the Rob Roy Way, You can enjoy fantastic views of the Loch Katrine, ancient forests, and captivating villages on your way. The route covers a distance of about 48 km (30 mi) and also includes history, wildlife, and hill slopes. It is an ideal walk for long-distance walkers in Scotland.

Great Trossachs Path

Address: Callander FK17 8AA, Scotland, UK

Website: Great Trossachs Path

Visited this place?

6. West Highland Way

The west highland way - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user dan kearney used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Spanning over 154 km (96 mi), the West Highland Walk links Fort William with Milngavie. The West Highland Way can be divided into manageable portions if you are unable to complete the path from end-to-end. Walkers can enjoy a wide variety of breathtaking scenery, as well as, loch shores, countryside parks, steep hills, and open rugged moorlands while walking. A majority of people usually take between five to eight days to walk over the entire path, though some do it in a fewer days.

West Highland Way

Address: Highlands of Scotland, UK

Website: West Highland Way

Visited this place?

7. Speyside Way

Look out for the Scots Pine said the sign ... I'm pretty certain this is not a Scots Pine ...

Posted by Jo Whyte on Saturday, 30 September 2017

The Speyside Way covers a total distance of 107 km (66.48 mi) and most walkers complete the entire route within five to eight days. This walk has the distinction of being one of the country’s official Long Distance Routes. Your journey will start close to the mouth of the River Spey and will feature captivating scenery as you follow the river banks. Elsewhere, you will come across unused railway trackbeds and open moorland. Along the path, you will also pass through many whiskey distilleries and charming villages.

Speyside Way

Address: Aberlour AB38 9QP, Scotland, United Kingdom

Website: Speyside Way

Visited this place?

8. River Ayr Way


You can catch a glimpse of diverse landscapes while traversing the River Ayr Way. Your walk will begin in wild moorland, which is famous for its industrial and natural history, and continue as the river flows downstream, driving mills and rocky sandstone gorges. The final lap of your walk will follow this river through estates and open farmland that finally ends at the historic town called Ayr. The route will also take you across some of the most scenic villages of Ayrshire, such as Stair and Sorn. The entire stretch of walk that covers 66 km (41 mi) can be completed within three to four days. .

River Ayr Way

Address: River Ayr, United Kingdom

Website: River Ayr Way

Visited this place?

9. Romans and Reivers Route


The route crosses ancient Roman roads, open lands, and forest tracks, while passing through the middle of Reivers county. The Romans and Reivers Route are one of the most enjoyable walks through the Southern Uplands and you will also come across many horse riders and cyclers on your way. The path has been specifically developed for multi-use and also feature self-closing gates. The entire route covers a distance of 84 km (52 mi) and can be completed within three to five days.

Romans and Reivers Route

Address:Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders, Scotland

Website: Romans and Reivers Route

Visited this place?

10. Borders Abbeys Way


This circular route spans a distance of about 107 km (66 mi), and is one of the best walks in Scotland. The Borders Abbeys Way has five phases in total and each of them ends at a lovely town. The walk can be undertaken in an anti-clock or clockwise direction, thus beginning and ending at any of the towns located at the border. There are some long stretches along the River Teviot and River Tweed that is famous for salmon fishing. This self-guided walk will offer you an opportunity to explore and discover the historic remnants of four border abbey of Scotland.

Borders Abbeys Way

Address: Scottish Borders, Scotland

Website: Borders Abbeys Way

Visited this place?

An outdoor adventure awaits in Scotland

Are you planning to vacation in Scotland soon? If you happen to be in this breathtakingly beautiful country and would love to embark upon a peripatetic vacation, check out our list of best walks in Scotland and get the best out of your vacation.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Pala Sen is an avid follower of travel and health updates, current affairs and entertainment news from all across the world and writing is a passion for her. She had been previously associated...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Scotland
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.