Best coastal hikes in Scotland
Looking for hikes where the ocean's your soundtrack? These coastal routes let you hike with a sea breeze in your hair.
Here are some great hikes to explore in Scotland.
Most popular hikes
Reviews for coastal hikes in Scotland
helmutsj · reviewed about 3 years ago
Did in 5 days in May. We walked from south to north. Before Skye Trail I walked West Highland Way and must admit that enjoyed the Skye Trail much more than WHW. Highly recommended. Take enough water before climbing Trotternich Ridge. And pay attention on water proofness of the equipment. GPS navigation also can help On day 4 we crossed the ridge under heavy rain and wind, seeing almost nothing because of the fog. We stayed on the track only because of GPX course downloaded in my Garmin watch beforehand. However my phone got wet and died. Nevertheless the next day brought a wonderful weather and we finished the trail enjoying the coastline walk.
Another walk out · reviewed 11 months ago
Completed this trail at the end of August . Even know this is an easy to moderate trail with not a lot of elevation. This trail is quite remote and depends on how long you plan , you will need to pack out food for 4-6 days and your tent . It’s a great trail and not very popular, I found it just as good as the WHW even better.
Nanette · reviewed 10 months ago
I decided on Scotland for this year's long distance hike because of John Muir and the hike named after him. I had read the reviews and knew there would be tarmac, but what I didn't know was the tarmac would be 80% - 85% of the hike. It killed my feet and I am an avid hiker. I honestly don't belive John Muir would want his name attached to this hike. I don't regret completing it, but I also won't recommend it. I was thankful for five nights off before starting the West Highland Way so my feet could recover. (Which they did and are doing great on this hike. 😁)
Hikecoastal · reviewed over 1 year ago
can be challenging with narrow cliff walks. also some property owners make it difficult with lots of barb wire especially after whaligoe. I didn't like the road walking after scotsburn
Frequently asked questions for hikes in Scotland
Summers, typically June to August, offer the most hospitable hiking climate. Though occasionally rainy, the temperatures hover around a comfortable 15°C - 20°C, with up to 18 hours of daylight to fully exploit the trails. Careful monitoring of midge activity is vital for a hassle-free experience. https://www.livebreathescotland.com/midges-in-scotland/
Autumn brings a dazzling display of changing colours, but the weather, much like spring, can be erratic. Temperatures begin to drop, and daylight hours shrink rapidly, restricting hiking time. Winters are challenging with shorter days, snowfall, and icy trails. For the experienced, it presents a unique, exhilarating challenge. Check https://www.mountaineering.scot/. Best to avoid winter unless highly experienced.
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