Trail Walking in Scotland:
Allt Mor
Distance: 3.5 miles, 2 to 2.5 hours.
Grade: Moderate
The trails from Allt Mor take you through a wonderful mix of tall, thick pines and young saplings, with a tumble of heather, blueberry and juniper on the ground. Everywhere there’s the chatter of running water, tumbling down from the mountains. If the forest works its magic and you’d like to see bit more, follow the blue markers up the glen when you meet the Ryvoan Trail until you reach the sheltered beauty spot of Lochan Uaine (The Green Lochan).
Trail Walking in Scotland:
Loch Morlich Trail
Distance: 3.5 miles, 2 to 2.5 hours.
Grade: Moderate
Winding through Forestry Commission land, with the loch shining through the trees, this trail gives you a real experience of the great swathe of woodland that washes against the slopes of the Cairngorms. Look out for dippers, wagtails and herons by the burns that feed the loch along the way. Famous for being the highest beach in Britain, this is the only freshwater beach in Scotland to have a Rural Beach Award.
Woodland Trail Walking in Scotland:
The Birks o’ Aberfeldy
Distance: 2.25 miles, 1 to 1.5 hours.
Grade: Moderate/Steep
The Famous Birks of Aberfeldy popularised in a song by Robert Burns, the fine walk up the steep gorge of the Moness burn reveals several waterfalls and stunning views of the valley. Following the well defined path which is overhung by mature trees from where we can admire the birch, oak, ash and elm trees. The path also offers excellent views to the roaring white water of the falls and, during winter, across to Strathtay.
Trail Walking in Scotland:
The Falls of Acharn
Distance: 1.25 miles, 1 to 1.5 hours.
Grade: Moderate/Steep
This very beautiful short walk makes a circuit around the little ravine of the Falls of Acharn above the village of the same name. The falls are very attractive and are viewed through a Victorian ‘Hermit’s Cave’. Following the tunnel, though the hermit’s cave we enjoy the breath-taking view of one of Perthshire’s finest waterfalls, cascading from above as well as the view up Loch Tay to the mighty Ben Lawers.
Famous Trail Walking in Scotland:
Glenfinnan Viaduct trail
Distance: 2.5 miles, 1 to 2 hours.
Grade: Moderate
Following a path that climbs past the viaduct and down to Glenfinnan train station, the walk offers hikers stunning views of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a striking industrial monument made famous in the Harry Potter films. The views don’t stop there either, with Loch Shiel to the south of the main trail and the striking hills of the Highlands to the north. The walk is mostly easy trails; however, it’s very steep in places.
Trail Walking in Scotland:
Lost Valley (Coire Gabhail), Glen Coe
Distance: 2.5 miles, 2 to 3 hours.
Grade: Moderate
Less circular and more up and down, this is one of the most beautiful walks in Scotland. Nestled in the Glen Coe valley is the Lost or Hidden Valley, where the MacDonald clan reportedly used to hide their rustled cattle. The walk follows a steep and rocky path with some mild scrambling, so be sure to have the right gear.
Easy Trail Walking in Scotland:
Bracklinn Falls, Callander
Distance: 3.25 miles, 1.5 hours.
Grade: Easy
A circular walk taking in the idyllic Bracklinn Falls in Callander. A popular beauty spot, the walk follows a path suitable for all ages, climbing through the trees and forest before descending to a quiet upper glen. There are good views out towards the central belt on the loop back.
Trail Walking in Scotland:
Cairn Gorm and the Northern Corries
Distance: 7 miles, 5 to 6 hours.
Grade: Tough
Beginning at the Cairngorm Ski Centre car park, this route is accessible and avoids some of the more spoilt sections of the range. Taking in Cairn Lochan, it offers stunning views of the Cairngorms and the dramatic cliffs of the northern corries. The mountains are regularly covered in snow, so it’s worth checking the weather forecast before setting off and take care where the route passes close to the edges of cliffs.
Picturesque Trail Walking in Scotland:
Loch Ossian circuit from Corrour Station
Distance: 9 miles, 5.5 hours.
Grade: Moderate (Good track, almost level, fairly long walk in a very remote location).
This circuit of remote Loch Ossian can be done in a day from the railway station at Corrour or by staying at the hostels – it is a long walk, in forestry in places, but with good mountain views and a chance to view modern Corrour Lodge at the far end of the loch. An excellent day out and place to visit – historic plant collections, forests, epic views, odd buildings in the middle of nowhere and it goes on. Just a short journey on the Crianlarich-Fort William/Mallaig branch of the West Highland Line and in no time you can be transported to the beautiful wilds of Scotland.
Multi-day Trail Walking in Scotland:
The Rob Roy Way
Distance: 80 miles, sections or full walk can be done at your own pace.
Grade: Mixed
The Rob Roy Way is a 128km walk linking Drymen (on the West Highland Way) with Pitlochry in Perthshire. The Rob Roy Way is a Scottish long-distance footpath that runs from Drymen in Stirling to Pitlochry in Perth and Kinross. The path was created in 2002 and takes its name from Rob Roy MacGregor, a Scottish folk hero and outlaw of the early 18th century. It traverses the countryside that he knew and travelled frequently.
