Scotland is a hiker’s paradise, offering climbs for all ability levels, ranging from novices trekking for the first time to experienced hillwalkers ready to conquer Ben Nevis, Scotland’s tallest Munro. Pathfinder Highland Adventures will work with you to find a climb that matches your ability and experience level. Below are some of our favorite climbs, broken up by difficulty. If the hike you want to do is not listed let us know and we will work with you to see what is feasible to provide you with the best experience we can!
Scottish Mountaineering Terminology
Scotland uses a number of unique terms to describe its mountains, terms those who have never hiked here before may be unfamiliar with. This is an attempt to explain many of the common terms that are used to describe the hikes below for those who are unfamiliar with them.
For starters, most Scottish mountain names are in Gaelic, the original language of Scotland. This is exemplified by the presence of the word ‘Ben’ in most mountain names. ‘Ben’ is just an anglicization of ‘Beinn’, the Gaelic word for mountain. When possible, a translation of the Gaelic name is provided.
The tallest mountains in Scotland are classified as ‘Munros’. This is primary peak of a mountain that is taller than 3000 ft (914.4 m). A peak that is taller than 3000 ft but is not the primary peak of that mountain is called a ‘Munro Top’. There are 282 Munros, ranging from Ben Vane at 3002 ft to the towering Ben Nevis at 4413 ft. Climbing Munros is also known as Munro-bagging. Only a few thousand climbers have successfully bagged all 282 Munros.
Corbetts are the next tier of mountains, with heights between 2500 ft (762 m) and 3000 ft (914.4 m). There are a total of 222 Corbetts in Scotland.
Mountains between 2000 ft and 2500 ft in height are called Fionas or Grahams if you are in the Highlands, or Donalds if you are south of the Highlands. Any peak below 2000 ft in height is known as a sub-2000er. Bealach is the Gaelic word for ‘valley’, usually used to refer to small valleys connecting two peaks.
Pathfinder Highland Adventures breaks climbs up on a difficulty based on length of the hike, elevation gained and ruggedness of the terrain.
Difficulties are scaled on a color system similar to ski slopes, with green climbs being the easiest, ranging up to black, the most difficult.
Green Hikes
The easiest hikes offered, usually taking less than three hours, with only a few hundred feet of elevation gain. None of these hikes are true Munros, but that does not mean they are not exciting with the possibility of magnificent views.
Conic Hill towards Loch Lomond
Conic Hill
On the very southern edge of the Highlands, this relatively short but popular hike offers magnificent views of Loch Lomond and the Arrochar Alps to the north, and of the Campsie Fells and Kilpatrick Hills to the south. Can be combined with visits to The Whangie, Finnich Glen or Buchanan Castle on the return journey.
Dumgoyne looking towards the Campsie Fells
Dumgoyne
This short, but surprisingly rugged, hike in the Campsie Fells starts at the historic Glengoyne Distillery before rising to provide great observation of Glen Goyne and north to the Highlands
The Whangie with Loch Lomond in the distance
The Whangie
A unique rock formation on the north edge of the Kilpatrick Hills, the Whangie offers great views of the Kilpatrick Hills, as well as sights of Loch Lomond and the Highlands in the distance. Can be combined with a visit to the nearby Finnich Glen, or climbed in conjunction with Conic Hill or other parts of the Kilpatrick Hills.
Greenock Cut hill towards the Firth of Clyde
Greenock Cut
A relatively short hike to the west of Glasgow, Greenock Cut offers a spectacular waterfall as well as fantastic views of the Firth of Clyde.
Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall
Grey Mare’s Tail to Loch Skeen
This hike south of Glasgow in the Scottish Borderlands begins with views of Grey Mare’s Tail, the UK’s 5th highest waterfall, before climbing up to Loch Skeen for picturesque views of the rugged Moffat Hills.
Ben A’an ascent
Ben A’an
A short but steep hike (aptly named ‘Small, Pointed, Peak’ in Gelic) that ends in great views of Ben Venue, Loch Katrine and the rest of the Trossachs.
Blue Hikes
The next level of difficulty. None of these hikes are true Munros, but they offer a much higher level of challenge than the Green Hikes, with exciting experiences and fantastic views.
White Coomb rising over Loch Skeen
White Coomb
A continuation of the Loch Skeen hike, this expedition entails climbing the encircling peaks, including the White Coomb Corbett, above the loch, providing a number of loch views as well as sights of the greater Moffat Hills and Scottish Borderlands.
The Cobbler rock formation
The Cobbler
Also known as Ben Arthur, this Corbett is formed by a unique rock formation that offers a great opportunity to begin exploring the stunning Arrochar Alps, as well as see great views of the picturesque Loch Long.
Earl’s Seat looking northeast
Dumgoyne and Earl’s Seat
Continuing on from the Dumgoyne summit, this hike traverses gently rising high moorland for a while before reaching the highest point in the Campsie Fells. This is one of the few locations that you can see both Glasgow and the Highlands from!
Yellow Hikes
This echelon of hikes is where we get into the Munros, the greater than 3000 feet tall peaks that make up the highlights of the Scottish Highlands. This group includes one Corbett, as well as a number of the easier to climb Munros.
Path to the Merrick from Loch Trool
The Merrick
The one Yellow Hike not in the Highlands, The Merrick is a fantastic Corbett climb that includes a stone commemorating Robert the Bruce’s first victory in the Scottish War of Independence, as well as a long trek providing views of the Galloway Peninsula.
Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond from Ben Vorlich
Ben Vorlich
One of two Munros with this name, this ‘Hill of the Bay’ climb starts besides the iconic Loch Lomond before rising to provide fantastic views of the neighboring Arrochar Alps. A quick detour to the Loch Sloy reservoir is worth the extra effort.
Beinn Narnain summit looking towards Beinn Ime
Beinn Narnain
The ‘Hill of Notches’, Beinn Narnain has two approaches, the more rugged face climb or a more gentle valley approach. Either option provides fantastic views of Loch Long, the Arrochar Alps and Loch Lomond in the distance.
Meall nan Tarmachan ridge from the summit
Meall nan Tarmachan
Named for the relative of the chicken that abounds in Arctic environments, the ‘Mound of the Ptarmigan’ provides great views of the Lawers Range. After reaching the peak, the ridgeline can be followed for more spectacular scenery.
Bealach between Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime
Beinn Ime
The tallest of the Arrochar Alps, the ‘Butter Mountain’ is reached through the valley dividing the Cobbler and Beinn Narnain, before rising to provide views of the surrounding Arrochar Alps and the Trossachs to the north.
Meall Corranaich from Glen Lyon
Meall Corranaich
Wedged in between Meall nan Tarmanach and the Ben Lawers Range, Meall Corranaich provides great views of the surrounding cluster of Munros as well as of Loch Tay to the south.
Red Hikes
These hikes are the more challenging individual Munros, with added difficulty either due to steepness or length of the climb, though the added challenge does nothing to diminish the rewards at the top.
Loch Lomond from Ben Lomond ridge
Ben Lomond
The southernmost Munro, Ben Lomond towers over Loch Lomond and the surrounding southern Highlands. On a personal level, it was while climbing Ben Lomond on vacation that Chris decided to move to Scotland.
Stob Dearg rising over the Wee White House
Stob Dearg
If you’ve seen a picture of Glen Coe, you’ve most likely seen a picture of Stob Dearg. Rising above the iconic ‘Wee White House of Glencoe’, the ‘Red Peak’ is the most accessible peak of the Buachille Etive Mor ridge, despite requiring a bit of scrambling to ascend.
Ben More from Stob Binnein
Ben More
This very steep Munro shares its name with another on the Isle of Mull. This ‘Great Mountain’ is nestled in the middle of the Trossachs, with views extending all the way to the Arrochar Alps miles to the west and the Ben Lawers Range equally distant to the east.
Ben Lawers summit marker
Ben Lawers
The tenth tallest Munro in Scotland, and the tallest listed here, Ben Lawers dominates the seven nearby Munros, providing amazing views of those mountains as well as Loch Tay.
Ridges on the Beinn Chabhair ascent
Beinn Chabhair
With a hike starting at supposedly one of the most haunted inns in Scotland, and passing buy multiple spectacular waterfalls and small but stunning loch, Beinn Chabhair is worth the long slog that it takes to get to the top of the “Hill of the Hawks’.
Black Hikes
To quote the sign that marks the entrance to the US Army Ranger survival school, these climbs are “not for the weak or fainthearted”. Entailing multiple Munros in a single day, these hikes are only available to the most physically hardy of climbers.
Loch Long from Beinn Narnain
Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime
The easiest of the options in this category, this hike summits Beinn Narnain then continues to nearby Beinn Ime. For the truly daring the Cobbler can be included during the descent from Beinn Ime.
Meall Corranaih summit looking north
Meall Corranaih and Meall a’Choire Leith
After summiting Meall Corrainach this trek continues north on a relatively gentle path before culminating at the peak of Meall a’Choire Leath, providing further views of the Ben Lawers Range the entire way.
Rear slope of Ben Lawers
Ben Lawers Range
With the option to climb up to five Munros on a single ridge, the Ben Lawers Range is a true endurance challenge for any mountaineer.
Buachaille Etive Mor ridge
Buachaille Etive Mor
Continuing on after cresting Stob Dearg, following the ridge of the ‘Greater Herdsman of Etive’ leads to another Munro as well as two less Munro Tops, while providing views of Glen Etive, made famous in James Bond’s Skyfall.
View from the bealach between the Munros
Ben More and Stob Binnein
After cresting Ben More, this hike drops down into a valley (bealach) before ascending the equally steep Stob Binnean. Named the ‘Conical Peak’ for its shape, the views from the top are even better than those from Ben More.
The western Munro rising through the clouds
Buachaille Etive Beag
Buachaille Etive Mor’s neighbor, the ‘Lesser Herdsman of Etive’ still includes two Munros as well as the opportunity to dive into the beautiful but frigid waters of the iconic ‘Meeting of Three Waters’ on the return trip.