Hello, I'm in the stages of planning out a trip to Scotland, most likely in the summer (not this year). Needless to say, I'm hopelessly inspired by the wonderful photos of the highlands I've found online. I wanted to see if anyone might have suggestions/recommendations for hikes with views of glens, other mountains, lochs, etc... I realize it's probably hard to throw a stone and not hit at least a couple of those! That's one area where your help might be handy, slimming down the choices. My wife and I are in average shape, mid-30's, no strangers to hiking. I'm thinking near the Fort William area, but totally open to other locations. Thanks in advance!
-Dave
Posted by
Yorkshire
1200 posts
Plenty. of choice. A good glen. walk. Upper Glen. Nevis. thru. to Loch Ossian,maybe stay o er. Ben Nevis via Ben Dearg...long day. out. Classic ,if you have head for it,Aonach Eagach from eAST to west. Torridon...Suilven,Stac Polly. If adventorous a night at the lookout bothy,or sandwood bay.
The Big Walks by diadem is an excellent ideas book.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, USA
237 posts
Hey David, I'm off to do the East Highland Way in May so I may have more information when I get back. Here is a really nice interactive site: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk with all the "big" hikes listed on the map: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/long-distance-routes.shtml Tons of information and walk reviews on that site. East Highland Way: http://www.easthighlandway.com/index.html Here is the nitty gritty hiking code stuff: http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/outdoors-responsibly/access-code-and-advice/soac/ You have time to investigate so good luck!
=Tod
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I would like to recommend the Inverness area as a base. The reason is that you can get to wonderful walking at a variety of levels in different directions--west to Torridon or Ullapool area, or Gairloch, south to the Cairngorms, central to Glen Affric. Or you can even go north and do a coastal walk. In addition to the variety offered, you can pick your walk based on the weather. I've done several walking holidays and we've only been totally rained out twice in about 5-6 weeks worth of walking over several years. Now, we don't let a bit of soft weather stop us. ; ) Scotland has lots of micro weather regions. It can be windy and pouring rain in Torridon in the west, and sunny and calm near Aviemore in the Cairngorms. I really love Glen Afric, the hills above Ullapool, the Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms, and Torridon. We stayed several years in Strathpeffer. More recently we've stayed at The Anderson in Fortrose.