Are you ready to explore the stunning landscapes of the Scottish Highlands on foot? Discover the top 5 hiking routes that will take you through some of the most breathtaking scenery in England, chosen by our very own Sarah Bellis ().
Bla Bheinn - Isle of Skye
Bla Bheinn (Blaven) is a Munro (a mountain in Scotland with a height of over 3,000ft) on the Isle of Skye. The ascent to Bla Bheinn is pretty straightforward, however, there are some rough & rocky sections with some mild scrambling adding to the fun.
The hike is around 5 miles and as a rough guide could take around 5 – 6 hours with over 1000 metres of ascent.
The views are spectacular along the route with some stunning waterfalls & once you hit the summit you’ll see for miles, in fact from the summit (on a good day) you can see the whole of the Cuillin ridge which is pretty incredible. Take some time at the summit to soak it all in & enjoy the views across peaks and sea. Add this hike to your list & you will not be disappointed.
Sgor Gaoith - Cairngorms National Park
This Munro starts from the beautiful Glen Feshie forest, through the ancient pinewoods and out into the upper slopes of the moor. For a Munro this is a fairly short hike taking roughly 4 -6 hours with just over 900 metres of ascent.
Once you reach the eastern ridge of the plateau the views really do start to open up with the sharply peaked summit of Sgor Gaoith ahead. Sgor Gaoith at 1118 metres is perched right on the edge of broken crags with sheer drops below to Loch Einich it is also a superb viewpoint across to Braeriach.
Lochnagar - Cairngorms National Park
Lochnagar is one of the finest mountains in the Cairngorms and reaching the summit follows good clear mountain paths with incredible views. The hike could roughly take around 6 – 7 hours with just over 900 metres of ascent over 12 miles.
You start at the carpark from Glen Muick reaching the Balmoral cottages, from here Lochnagar is signposted into the woods where you’ll share this path with Roe deers, next up is the River Muick crossing, once you’ve found your way safely across you’ll start heading uphill. The views are just incredible the higher up you go with the northern corrie coming into view.
You can follow the edge of the cliffs & in good weather looking down the gullies to the lochan below. Lochnagar summit has a viewpoint indicator & magnificent views across Deeside and the Cairngorms mountain range.
Slioch - Torridon, Kinlochewe
Slioch offers a fine day out in the hills of Torridon. This Munro has a reasonably straightforward ascent following the Kinlochewe river and passing through some native woodland eventually reaching the edge of Loch Maree. The path climbs gradually with stunning views looking back over Loch Maree and Beinn Eighe mountain range.
Once you reach the grassy bowl of Coire na Sleaghaich the ascent becomes more gradual eventually reaching a beautiful lochan before the steep push up eroded and rocky ground. The views looking back over the lochan & the higher up you get are just sensational. As you reach height a trig point will come into view this is not the highest point of the mountain as the summit of Slioch is a short distance further.
Once at the summit the views could very well be described as some of the finest in Scotland with Loch Maree stretching out below, the Hebrides can be seen on a fine day and the sensational Torridon peaks looking fantastic to the west although it’s the views across northwards over the Fisherfield that take centre stage!
Slioch is a longer walk with some steep rough terrain covering over 12 miles and 1144 metres of ascent – the walk starts from the carpark at the end of the road in Incheril.
Goatfell - Isle of Arran
Goatfell approached from Corrie takes you through beautiful woodland paths & burn crossings, the trail soon opens up & the breath-taking landscape is revealed. The trail rises gently through grassy and stony paths with the massif of Goatfell ahead.
Once you reach the ridge at the bealach between North Goatfell and Mullach Buidhe you’ll be treated to the most spectacular views across to the peaks of Cir Mhor, Beinn Tarsuinn & Beinn Nuis, you’ll want to take some time here to soak it all in before continuing up the ridge to reach Goatfell. The summit of Goatfell is marked with a trig point and stone cairn view indicator, the views from here over the surrounding ridges and peaks & even over to Ireland on a clear day are just awesome!
This circular walk is along very rocky mountain paths, steep terrain and some scrambling in places covering 5 miles and over 836 metres of ascent.
