The 5 Best Hikes We Did In Scotland
We visited Scotland in May 2022 and it was truly everything we had ever dreamed of! The vast green mountains and moody scenery lived up to our high expectations. We campervanned around the country and visited many different places, but along the way we stopped to get some hiking in which is in our opinion the best way to truly see what Scotland has to offer.
The five hikes we enjoyed the most in Scotland were (1) The Old Man of Storr, (2) Quirang, (3) Loch Avon, (4) the Lost Valley, and (5) Steall Waterfalls Path. Read below for our experiences and picture proof of why you need to do these hikes!
1. Old Man of Storr
Distance: 3.8km
Time: 1 – 2 hours
Looking to see some of the epic rock formations that Scotland has to offer? This is a popular hike that can be found on the Isle of Skye in Trotternish. Its one of the easier hikes that can be found in the area, and its about 3.8km in distance, taking about 1-2 hours total to walk it. There is a carpark right at the start of the hike and during peak tourism this place will fill up fast – make sure you come early in the AM or at the end of your day to avoid the crowds!
Getting up the hike there are two different paths, one slightly longer than the other, but they both end up in the same place anyways so either will work. You will climb up stepping stones, through a few gates, and will likely see some sheep on your way up until you get closer to the Old Man of Storr and can actually scramble your way up to get better views of the area. This hike is popular for a reason!
2. Quirang
Distance: 500m – 7km
Time: 30 minutes – 4 hours
Unfortunately I do not have pictures of this hike but it is one of the most beautiful areas on the Isle of Skye (seriously Isle of Skye is a must-visit place in Scotland!). Large cliffs, green moody scenery as far as the eyes can see, lochs, winding roads, and so much more is what you can expect here. This hike can be as long as 7km but as short as 500m – it is one of those places that the views start right from the very beginning and depending on how deep you want to go, the views just keep getting better!
You could spend anywhere from 30 minutes – 4 hours in this location depending on the distance, speed, and the amount of insane photos you want to snap.
3. Loch Avon
Click here for our full blog post on the Ben Macdui – Loch Avon hike
Distance: 18.5km // Elevation: 1,189m
Time: 5 – 7 hours
This hike is not for the faint of heart! We actually completed the Ben Macdui – Loch Avon hike to see the best of both worlds and it was so worth it. 18.5km and many different adventures later, this hike was one of our favourites. Summiting Ben Macdui, trodding through snow, experiencing the backcountry of Scotland, overlooking the Loch, and scrambling next to a waterfall were all part of this next level experience.
4. Lost Valley
Distance: 4km
Time: 2 hours
This hike starts in the heart of the drive through Glencoe and can be quite a busy place, but once you start walking the crowds seem to dwindle. To get to the Lost Valley there is lots of climbing over rocks and around (or in!) some crystal clear streams – I promise the end goal is worth it! There are also some great lookout points along the hike to see the beauty of Glencoe. We only went to the look out point of the valley, but you could definitely venture further in and even wild camp if you are adventurous enough. We were tired from all our adventures but looking back I wish we would have ventured out some more.
This hike can be muddy, wet, and slippery, so pack some raingear and maybe some extra socks in case you decide to cross through some rivers (some parts are difficult to cross to get to the valley!). If you are lucky you may see some wildlife in the valley – deers are often seen here.
5. Steall Falls Path
Distance: 3.5km
Time: 1 – 3 hours
This hike we found in the Fort William area and was another great surprise. After a few long hikes and big days, we wanted something where we could see the scenery but we were not looking for a big hike – this was the perfect compromise. We drove all the way down Glen Nevis road (the drive through the road to the end itself is worth the trip) until we reached the last parking lot and then started the hike. Whilst the parking lot was full and we did run into people along the way, once you get into the open area near the falls the area seems quiet as people are spread out and theres so much to see.
You will definitely need proper footwear and some rain gear for this hike as it can get muddy! You will start off walking through the forest and some rocky trailed out areas with great views. As you get closer to the falls you will enter a vast open area that is the epitome of Scottish scenery! You will see a few smaller waterfalls along the way, but ultimately to get to the Steall Falls, you will either have to cross a small stream (which we ended up doing to get back – didnt think it through too much!) or cross a rope bridge (pictured above) which is quite adventurous and adds to the experience! This rope bridge will take you to the quieter side of the hike where we saw the cutest little building and some curious sheep. You will continue on to the waterfall where you can get up close and personal to this awesome sight.
The atmosphere of this hike was the best part, and the adventure of the rope bridge and waterfall made it even more fun. I highly recommend this hike for a light day in the Scottish Highlands.
More Information:
- All of these hikes can be found on All Trails application – for Loch Avon I would recommend downloading the maps offline as the trail during certain conditions can be hard to follow and you will not have service as you get closer to the top.
- The weather in Scotland is always unpredictable and probably rainy (which honestly adds to the whole vibe of Scotland). Bring some rain gear / expect to get wet!
Last but not least, click below to read our full two week experience campervanning around Scotland with everything we did!
