North Highlands and Harris
Mountain hiking routes on Scotland's Northern Highlands and the Outer Hebrides
The finest hill-walking and scrambling routes on the mountains in Scotland's Northern Highlands, including Harris in the Outer Hebrides and northern Skye.
Northern Highlands
West Highlands
Eastern Highlands
Central Highlands
Southern Highlands
Southern Uplands
1. Cape Wrath to Loch Eriboll | |
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The most northerly high ground in Scotland ! The pair of Corbetts of Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh combine to make for a pleasant and fairly easy afternoon hillwalk from Carbreck to the north-west or Loch Eriboll to the south-east.
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2. Loch Eriboll to Loch Naver | |
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Lying on the Moine Thrust, Ben Hope and Ben Loyal are isolated mountains standing above the bog and lochans of the 'Flow Country'.
Both are distinctive mountains with Ben Hope being the most northerly Munro and Ben Loyal given title of 'Queen of Scottish Peaks' due to its profile of tors and crags .
Hillwalking routes : Ben Hope 'tourist route' and alternatives Ben Loyal from Ribigill Ben Loyal from Loch Loyal |
3. Srath Dionard to Strath Stack | |
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Enjoy superb ridge-walking on Foinaven and Arkle with their dramatic corries.
Ben Stack and Meall Horn are more grass covered in comparison.
Stunning vast views can be savoured on clear days on some of the best hill routes in Scotland.
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4. Srath Luib na Seilich to Loch Merkland | |
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Between drab moorland and the dramatic north-west coast is a quiet transition area with several peaks
Hillwalking routes : Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill and Meall Horn Ben Hee from Loch Merkland |
5. Strath Vagastie to Strath Ullie | |
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Standing alone, mighty Ben Klibreck sprawls over a vast area above forestry and moorland to the north of Lairg in Sutherland. Meall nan Con is the name given to Ben Klibreck's Munro summit, which sits above wide crests and corries.
Hillwalking routes : Ben Klibreck from Strath Vagastie |
6. Quinag | |
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Quinag is a stunning mountain from all directions. The complex topography of this mountain involves crests and ridges connecting several summits, three of which are classed as Corbett peaks.
Hillwalking routes : Quinag's Corbett peaks |
7. East Assynt and Glen Coul | |
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Quartzite covered crests and spurs lead to the highest peaks in Assynt from where fine views are to be had over Coigach and northwards. A visit to the 'Bone Caves' is worth a detour.
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8. West Assynt and Glencanisp | |
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To gain the summits of the little but prominent mountains of Suilven and Canisp involves a long walk in from Glencanisp, Loch Assynt or Ledmore. Suilven in particular is an iconic peak, its 'Sugar Loaf' summit mighty impressive when viewed above Lochinver.
Hillwalking routes : Canisp from Loch Awe Suilven from Glencanisp and Falls of Kirkaig |
9. Coigach and Inverpolly | |
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The rough hills of Coigach sit in some of the most stunning scenery in Scotland. For the most part, stalker's paths access the hills. Stac Pollaidh is a rugged little hill with nearby Cul Mor hiding a beautiful 'lost valley' complete with lochan and beach.
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10. Inverlael, Freevater and Strathvaich | |
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Varied peaks in the vast rolling area east of Ullapool.
Beinn Dearg is the dominant mountain, it's dome towering above the other peaks, but Seana Bhraigh with its cliffs above Loch a' Choire Mhoir is the most impressive.
In this vast landscape you'll need good navigation skills !
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11. Easter Ross | |
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Much work and maintenance on paths tackle the errosion on Ben Wyvis, Inverness's 'Ben'.
Nearby Little Wyvis and Carn Chuinneag have an array of estate tracks that lead up to the summits of these Corbett hills.
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12. The Fannichs | |
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Loch Fannich is encircled by many peaks. Above its northern shore is a long chain of grassy ridges and crests that contains 9 Munro summits.
To the south is isolated Fionn Bheinn, its summit perched above Toll Mor coire.
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13. An Teallach | |
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Famed for rock-scrambling along airy crests, dramatic An Teallach with its spires and crags guards the wild, remote and beautiful area of Fisherfield. Nearby is the more gentle Corbett lump of Sail Mhor.
Hillwalking routes :
Sail Mhor from Ardessie Walking and scrambling routes on An Teallach |
14. Fisherfield | |
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The lands of Fisherfield and Letterewe form what is reputed to be the remotest wilderness in Scotland.
There are 5 Munros and 5 Corbetts hidden in this area overlooking Shenevall Bothy, an ideal base from where to aim up the impressive mountains.
Hillwalking routes :
Fisherfield Big 6 Creag Rainich from Loch a' Bhraoin More hillwalking routes in Fisherfield |
15. Letterewe | |
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Remote and rugged, the area of Letterewe rests between Loch Maree, Fionn Loch and Lochan Fada.
The landscape is dominated by Slioch and the cliffs of Beinn Lair with many of the most dramatic features hidden from roadside view.
Majestic and seemingly quite impenetrable, Slioch is actually easily accessed from near Kinlochewe.
Hillwalking routes : Slioch from Kinlochewe Letterewe Corbetts from Poolewe |
16. Flowerdale Forest | |
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A wonderful hidden area north of Torridon awaits to be explored. A fine but rough track aims in to Loch na h-Oidhche from where a circular route bounds over heather and grass
Hillwalking routes : Flowerdale Corbetts from Am Feur-loch |
17. Torridon | |
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Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Eighe are Torridon's Giants.
They are some of the most dramatic mountains in the country and famed for airy rock-scrambling along ridges and over pinnacles.
Coire Mhic Fhearchair hidden behind Beinn Eighe is simply stunning.
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18. Coulin and Ben Damh | |
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Between Glen Torridon and Glen Carron is a range of bouldery peaks sitting above varied terrain. A fine network of footpaths accesses the ground around the mountains. Although not the highest in the are, Fuar Tholl and Beinn Damh have the most character.
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19. Applecross | |
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Stunning high cliffs and buttresses protect vast grass-covered plateaux. Take the journey up the famed narrow route to Bealach na Ba from where the two Corbett peaks of Beinn Bhan and Sgurr a' Chaorachain are readily accessed.
Hillwalking routes : Applecross Corbetts, Sgurr a' Chaorachain and Beinn Bhan |
20. Trotternish | |
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In Skye, Trotternish is the north-eastern peninsula, along which a spine of cliffs and hills travel from above Portree to the most northerly tip on the island.
There are some spectacularly weird rock formations including the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr.
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21. An Cliseam (Clisham) | |
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Clisham, or An Cliseam to give it its gaelic name, is the highest mountain in the Outer Hebrides. Sitting above the rugged Harris coastline, gaining the summit is relatively straightforward, from where stunning views can be savoured on clear days.
Hillwalking routes : An Cliseam and Mulla bho Dheas |
If you're thinking of a NC500 road-trip, here is a list of the best hillwalking routes on the NC500.
