Scotland Hill Walking and Climbing

Scottish Highlands Hill Walking

The Lochaber area around Fort William is a mecca for all outdoor types. For mountain and hillwalking the area has plenty of Munros (mountains over 3,00 feet) and mountain paths. The Scottish Mountaineering Club produce advice on hillwalking and guide books on walks all over Scotland. They can also provide GPS contour maps free. Check the links right for more information. There is a system of Hillphones that you can ring to find out the most up-to-date information on deer stalking times which can affect access to the countryside. Check the link right for more information. Calls to the Hillphones are charged at normal rates.

Lochaber contains some of the country's best opportunities for winter climbing, rock climbing and scrambling for all levels. The most popular areas are Ben Nevis, Glen Nevis, Glen Coe, Ardnamurchan, Aoanch Mor, Glen Etive and Mamores (11 Munros) and Grey Corries. There are several companies who run courses on all aspects of climbing as well as guides who can show you around the mountains. Check the link right for the "Outdoor Capital of the UK" for more information on activities in the Lochaber area.

The Sutherland area north of Ullapool offers some excellent walking country for those who are looking for longer and more challenging walks. Popular destinations are Meall Mor, Knockdamph, Achininver and Scoraig. For a range of walks check the Walk in Scotland link right. The Assynt area or the mountains of Ardgour and west Lochaber offer good climbing territory. Check the Assynt Climbing link right for more information.

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Ben Nevis Facts and Figures Climbing Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain at 1,344 metres above sea level. It falls within the Grampian mountains and lies in the Lochaber area towering over Fort William.

It is probably the most popular hillwalking route in Scotland. The most travelled route up is from Glen Nevis at Achintee up the Pony Track. From the Visitor Centre in Glen Nevis bridges cross the river so you can access the western side of Ben Nevis. Experienced hill walkers favour starting at Torlundy north east of Fort William. The time it takes to climb Ben Nevis can be anywhere between the best part of 4 hours for experienced Munro Baggers although at least 5 hours up and 3 down is more like the norm. For rock climbers the 700 metre cliffs on the north face are amongst some of the highest in Britain. These are also popular for ice climbing.

Safety is of the utmost importance if you're planning to climb Ben Nevis. The weather can be unpredictable and the higher reaches are often in mist when it can be easy to become disoriented or chilled if not wearing adequate clothing. Unfortunately the mountain rescue teams are frequently called out to Ben Nevis so make sure you're well prepared, know your route and have appropriate navigation equipment. Check the links right for suggested routes and further information on the hazards. (Enter Ben Nevis in the search engines on the sites).

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The West Highland Way

The West Highland Way is a long distance route covering just over 95 miles from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William. It was Scotland's first long distance route completed in 1980. It generally takes 7-8 days and there is some hill walking along the route.

There is a wide choice of accommodation all the way along the route so you can plan a whole walking holiday doing it in stages or just picking off sections depending on where you're based.

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The Great Glen Way

The Great Glen Way is a long distance walking route that stretches 73 miles from Fort William to Inverness. The whole route can be walked in 5-6 days and there is plenty of accommodation along the way in the towns and villages that span the Great Glen. Alternatively you could just do sections of it.

Most of the route is low-level and takes in towpaths and woodland walks, but you can always divert off it to take in some more challenging mountain hikes. You can also cycle the route or take off on one of the purpose-built mountains bike or cycling tracks.

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The Southern Upland Way, Dumfries & Galloway/Scottish Borders

The Southern Upland Way stretches for 212 miles (340km) from Portpatrick on the far West coast of Dumfries and Galloway (on the Rhinns of Galloway) to the North East coast and Cocksburnspath. This is Scotlands longest National Walking Trail, and as it winds across the Southern Uplands it takes in a large chunk of the northern area of Galloway Forest Park past Bargrennan, Clatteringshaws then on up towards Sanquhar.

The Southern Upland Way stretch from Bargrennan to Clatteringshaws (the chunk of the Galloway Forest Park) is 17.5 miles long and affords stunning views from high ground in the Loch Trool area. This is a particularly challenging stretch of the Southern Uplands Way and many walkers break the journey staying in the New Galloway area before heading onto the next section upto Sanquhar. Many shorter walks/trails link into the Southern Uplands Way.

The contact point for the Southern Uplands Way is based at Dalry near Castle Douglas - Southern Upland Way, 26 Main Street, Dalry, Castle Douglas, Scotland. DG7 3UW.Tel. 0870 835 8448. Checkout the Southern Uplands Way website right for a comprehensive guide to Scotland's longest marked national trail.

The highest point of this Scottish trail weaves through Wanlockhead, Scotland's highest village in Dumfries & Galloway. Take time to visit the Scottish Leadmining Museum in Wanlockhead which sits adjacent to the Southern Upland Way.

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Scottish Borders - Borders Abbeys Way

One of the best ways to enjoy the Scottish Borders countryside and take in all the main Borders Abbeys is via the 64.5 mile/103 km Borders Abbeys Way. It's a circular walkway taking you through the heart of the Scottish Borders and can be done in shorter stretches from Kelso to Jedburgh, Jedburgh to Hawick, Selkirk to Melrose and Melrose back to Kelso. Kelso is usually taken as the starting and finishing point, and plays host to the annual Scottish Borders Festival of Walking in early September annually. (Pick up your Scottish Borders Walking Festival booklet at any tourist information centre in the Borders).

Scottish Islands Hebrides, Skye, Shetlands Orkneys - Walking Holidays

Lewis is great for a wide range of outdoor activities. Walking, surfing and sea kayaking are probably the most popular but there are opportunities for every kind of activity you can think of, from cycling to climbing. Travelling into Harris from Lewis you go through some spectacular mountain scenery. The pointed peaks of Lewisian gneiss tower over Loch Shiphoirt to heights between 1,000-2,000 feet. This is a stark and unique landscape created from the oldest rock on earth and shaped by glaciers that appears little changed from the ice age. It is excellent hillwalking and climbing country and there are several routes from Maraig to Reingeadal. The Walk Hebrides site has a list of suggested walks rated by difficulty under the "Pick a Walk" option, link right. This area is likely to become much easier to access since the North Harris community bought the Loch Seaforth estate in 2004.

The Isle of Skye is famous for the Cuillin mountains that lie in the centre of the island. This is really terrain for experienced walkers and climbers only as the weather can be changeable and because the rocks are slightly magnetic it can play havoc with compasses. There are various local guides who can take groups or individuals into the Cuillins for various walks. They also offer skills courses in rock-climbing and scrambling or short breaks to tackle particularly difficult Munro summits. Check the links right for more information.

The stunning northern coastline of Mainland Shetland, particularly around the north west Eshaness coast, is well worth taking your time over. Northmavine is joined to the rest of Mainland by the thin isthmus Mavis Grind and has Shetland's highest hill, Ronas Hill, dominating North Roe at 450 metres high. If you fancy a good long hill walk you'll be rewarded with fantastic views of the whole of Shetland and out over to Fair Isle in the south and across Yell Sound and Sullom Voe, Shetland's largest sea loch. Most people visit this area for walking and there are several routes including The Ness of Hillswick which is particularly good for spectacular views from the cliff tops covered in summer flowers. Don't miss the jagged silhouettes of The Drongs, a series of stacks rising up out of the turbulent sea. The Eshaness circular walk takes you further around the coast starting at Eshaness lighthouse built by more Stevenson's in the 1920s. Views of steep cliffs, stacks, blowholes (gloups), coves (geos) and sandy beaches are some of the most spectacular in Shetland.

The Orkney Islands have some beautiful coastal walks. Yesnaby is a good place for coastal walks where you can see some dramatic cliffs, geos and stacks as well as rare wildlife in the clifftop grassland such as the pretty white flower of grass of Parnassus or the extremely restricted Scottish primrose. You often see the bonxies, great skua, flying overhead. The views south are to Hoy and you can see the Old Man of Hoy on a clear day. The Atlantic crashing against the cliffs make this a dramatic walk any time of year. There are also coastal walks around the headland from the Brough of Birsay along the Skiba Geo Footpath where there are some interesting geological features.

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The Cairngorms National Park

The Cairngorms National Park covers a huge area (bigger than the Lake District and one and a half times the size of Luxembourg apparently?) stretching from Grantown on Spey to the top of the Angus Glens and from Ballater to Dalwhinnie and Drumochter. Important wildlife habitats are within this National Park, including 25 percent of Britain's endangered birds, plants and animals. Expect plenty of demanding hillwalking in the Cairngorms. West of Braemar head to the Linn of Dee and push into numerous trails from their into the Park. The Lairig Ghuru high level pass up from the Linn of Dee to Coylumbridge is one of Scotland's most popular high level passes! Most of the estate tracks around Braemar are open access.

Just outside Aviemore is the Glen more Visitor Centre that has an audio display on the native pinewoods, gift shop and cafe. Glenmore, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, PH33 1QU. Tel: 01463 791575. Fax: 01463 793872. There is also Abernethy Visitor Centre for more information about the Abernethy Forest Tel: 01479 821 565. Many of the ranger services organise an events programme including guided walks and talks. They can also offer advice on places to go and mountain weather conditions.

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The Speyside Way East Highlands

Grantown-on-Spey is on The Speyside Way, a long distance walking route from Spey Bay on the Moray Coast down to Aviemore on the edge of the Grampian Mountains. It follows the course of the River Spey. There is also a spur off it down to Tomintoul. The total distance of the route is 84 miles and can take between 5-7 days to walk the whole route. It is recommended it is followed from north to south and there are all sorts of attractions on route including distilleries, castles and of course the fantastic Speyside and Cairngorm countryside.

Between Craigellachie and Ballindalloch The Speyside Way is suitable for horseriding. The sections between Fochabers and Ballindalloch and between Nethybridge and Aviemore are suitable for cycling. Check the link right for more information.

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The Angus Glens & Highland Perthshire

Kirriemuir sits on the southern edge of the Grampians and is a popular base for visitors wanting to access the Angus Glens just to the north of the town. Kirriemuir's little centre has an informative Gateway to the Angus Glens visitor centre. The five Angus Glens (Glen Isla, Glen Prosen, Glen Clover, Glen Lethnot and Glen Esk plus the settlements of Memus/Cortachy and Menmuir), part of the sublime Grampian Mountains, offer some of Scotland's best hillwalking. Kirriemuir Gateway to the Glens Museum, The Town House, 32 High Street, Kirriemuir. Tel. 01575 575479. Open Mondays to Saturdays, 1pm-5pm. Closed Sundays. The focus here is on the western Angus Glens including Glen Prosen, Glenisla, Glen Clova and Glen Doll.

The Pass of Killiecrankie, northwards from Garry Bridge is a famous Perthshire view. The woodland areas form part of the Tummel National Scenic Area, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Autumn is a good time to visit when the leaves are changing. The Killiecrankie Visitor Centre, just 3 miles north of Pitlochry (easily walked to from Pitlochry centre). Tel. 0844 4932194.

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Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park

Loch Lomond truly is a gateway from the Scottish Lowlands opening up to the Scottish Highlands. Everything about it and the towns and villages here is a cross-between the two.

Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater lake in Britain at 23 miles long and 5 miles wide in some places. It's long been a getaway for the lowland population as it's within easy striking distance of Glasgow - under an hour's drive away.

It's transition from Lowlands to Highlands, being surrounded by The Trossachs, makes it an attractive honeypot area and greets you as the first large area of open Scottish countryside as you're travelling north. The western side of the lake tends to be busier with the main road and several small settlements with cafes and holiday accommodation. The eastern side is quieter and better for walking and taking in the views.

The Trossachs National Park and the Breadalbane area mark the dividing area between Scottish Lowlands and Highlands. Nicknamed the 'Highlands in Miniature', the striking heather adorned peaks of the Trossochs, incorporating the main gateway bases of Aberfoyle and Callander, offer superb hill walking territory. The Trossachs are the wild glen area with a choice of lochs between Callander and Aberfoyle, whilst the Breadalbane high country area is to the north and includes the munros of Ben Lui, Ben Challum, Ben More and Ben Vorlich. Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Visitors Centre, Aberfoyle. Tel.(01877) 382 258. Trossachs Discovery Centre Main Street, Aberfoyle (Open Apr-Oct & weekends Nov-Mar). Tel. 08707 200 604. Breadalbane Folklore Centre, Falls of Dochart, Killin, FK21 8XE. (Open Mar-Oct & weekends Feb). Tel. 08707 200 627. Tyndrum Tourist Info, Main Street, Tyndrum, FK20 8RY. (Open Apr-Oct & weekends Nov-Mar). Tel 08707 200 626.

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