Hikes & Walks in the Highlands

The Highlands of Scotland are truly the scenery of myths and legends. Here cascading waterfalls flow into rushing rivers and serene lochs, surrounded by enchanting forests, lush wilderness and gloomy moorland shaped by the Great Glen. Experience beautiful scenery and quaint villages as the walking paths wind through mountains and glens, taking in the magnificent view.

You’ve plenty of walking trails to choose from, each trail bringing you to remote places in nature you’ve never seen before. There is a path for every ability as the difficulty levels of the route network offer a wide range of options. Enjoy the calm while walking in deep forests, well-maintained by the forestry commission.

Both in Summer and Winter, Scotland is one sight to see. The mild temperature during the summer months makes it a pleasure even when the sun is shining, and the snow-covered mountain peaks in winter add to the Highlands' mysterious atmosphere.

Many adventures start in Fort William and Lochaber – and yours can too! Surrounded by a serene landscape, every outdoor enthusiast is welcome here. Walkers might have trouble choosing which way to go first, but beneath the thousands of possibilities to choose from, there are adventures you definitely shouldn’t miss:

• Climb Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak
• West Highland: follow the West Highland Way, which is also suitable for day walks
• Picture-perfect Glen Coe, which is showcasing its magnificent scenery even in movies like Skyfall and Harry Potter
• The sky, in particular, the night sky. Around Fort William, the nights are just marvellous – you even have the chance to see northern lights here.

Its rugged, almost torn apart landscape is what makes the Scottish Highlands so unique. Over centuries ice and erosion shaped the valleys below the high peaks and just above the sea level. Time left behind what are now some of the best-known lakes all over the world – one in particular: Loch Ness.

Most highly associated with its mysterious monster, Loch Ness is a lake in the highlands of Scotland. It is located in Glen Mor, which sits between the highland regions. The loch is extremely long and skinny, measuring 23 miles in length. It has a maximum depth of 744 feet. This makes it the largest source of fresh water – by volume – within the UK. The nearest city is Inverness, which is positioned directly along the banks of the River Ness and a great place to start your walking journey around the lake.

The loch has been cited as appearing in various legends and songs but was also a very real part of history. Urquhart Castle is located along the western banks. Now a ruin, it dates back to the 13th century and has origins in medieval times. It is one of the largest castles in Scotland, and after a long history of bloody fights, it was not until the 20th century that the ruin became a monument under state care.

The legends and mystery of the Loch Ness monster have been connected to this deep dark lake for centuries. While no hard evidence has ever been found to prove the existence of such a creature, the lore surrounding the monster remains strong and heavily encouraged by tourist spots and visitors to the lake. The legends surrounding the lake are more famous than the lake itself in many ways.

More legends and even more fantastic places to explore are in addition to Loch Lomond in the south, Loch an Eilein and Loch Assynt near Suilven mountain. Surrounding these areas are some of the most beautiful walking routes suitable for all kinds of levels, ideal for a family outing or a more challenging, steep hike to lofty heights. Check our route highlights or use our app to find your next adventure! Experience the wild hills surrounded by the sea and free yourself from the troubles of everyday life.