Five epic mountain hikes in the Scottish Highlands

West Highland Way, Rowardennan to Inverarnan

You might be fooled into thinking this is an easy-breezy loch-side stroll and indeed you’ll enjoy stunning views over Loch Lomond (glorious in spring with the bluebells out en masse) for much of it but there are plenty of steep ups and downs, burn crossings and sections to scramble. The 14-mile route through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park takes around six hours in total. Following the main path towards Ben Lomond, you’ll hike through native woodland, dense forest and glimpse a fine waterfall when crossing the bridge over Snaid Burn, inspiration for Gerard Manley Hopkin’s poem, Inversnaid. If you’re in need of refreshment, stop at the Inversnaid Hotel, from here you can also get the ferry across to the wooded island of Inveruglas. Otherwise continue on through a rather rough section with a slippery scramble down to Rob Roy’s outlaw cave before the path levels out alongside the loch with far-reaching views to the mountains in the north before arriving in Inverarnan. 

 

West Highland Way, Kings House to Kinlochleven

This nine mile walk is usually considered to be the most dramatic section of the West Highland Way, climbing to the highest point on the route with superb views of the Glencoe mountains. Start by crossing the stone bridge over River Etive and heading towards Glencoe with the mass of Buachaille Etive Mòr directly ahead. Follow the path down the glen and onto the hillwalkers’ route for a steep climb up the zig-zagging Devil’s Staircase. Two cairns mark the summit, rest here for fabulous views of the Glencoe mountains, before descending to the Blackwater Reservoir, its vast dam built by hand in the early 1900s. Now the peaks of the Mamores beyond Kinlochleven come into view with Ben Nevis towering in the background as you take the long walk down to the pretty riverside town of Kinlochleven. 

Ben Nevis

We can’t recommend Highland walks without including Ben Nevis. The lure to stand atop ‘The Ben’ is irresistible and this mighty mountain, Britain’s highest peak at 1345 metres, gets more than its fair share of hiker traffic. It’s worth fighting the crowds for knockout views with a Scottish patchwork spread out beneath you, and on clear days, you’ll catch a glimpse of Northern Ireland shimmering in the distance. Most walkers head up the well trodden Pony Track route, the shortest, fastest, but busiest way to the top. If you can fight the butterflies in your stomach then try the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête route instead, there’s no climbing involved but a good few scrambles, exposed spots and boulders to navigate along a curving, sheer ridge with close-up views of the north side of the mountain. It’s totally worth it when you reach the summit though, and you can always return the ‘easy’ way. 

 

Beinn Eighe trail

This is a spectacular four mile route starting from the car park on the shores of Loch Maree. Initially you climb gently through birch and pine-scented woods, an ancient and magnificent forest that is part of Britain’s first ever National Nature Reserve. As the path gets steeper the views back over the loch and the peak of Siloch become more dazzling with every step. Now you cross a bridge over the burn and the route emerges above the pines becoming steeper and rougher as you ascend along gleaming white quartzite crags. Way marker cairns, some marked with the altitude, guide you up until you reach an undulating plateau of quartz scraped bare by glaciers. You’re now at the highest point of the trail (560 metres) with a superb view of the ridges of Beinn Eighe. As you descend you’ll pass a series of small glittering lochs before joining the Woodland Trail back to Loch Maree. 

Suilven

Suilven isn’t the highest peak but its dramatic dome and spire-like peaks dominate the area around Lochinver, and the tough scramble up it rewards with superb views. You can walk from Lochinver itself or start a little bit closer from Loch Druim Suardalain. Take the path from the northern shore of the loch through woodland and then along a rugged, rocky track beside a stream, over a section of moorland, then alongside Loch a’ Choire Dhuibh. Next you head into a grassy gully that leads to the edge of Suilven’s ridge. This is a steep walk with the path zigzagging up the ridge until suddenly you reach the top of the gully and a spectacular aerial view opens up towards Stac Pollaidh. Turn right here, crossing a superb dry stone wall and follow the path as it winds its way up with a few little scrambles here and there. The views back along the ridge are breathtaking. As you climb the final rocky slope you’ll reach the grassy domed summit and can take a breather while you soak up panoramic views over the lonely Assynt landscape and down to Lochinver. Retrace your steps to return to Lochinver. 

 

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