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
Pack_backer · reviewed over 4 years ago
A nice remote trail with some phenomenal sites. you can resupply every couple of days fairly easily so it makes it a lot more manageable. I did it in two days, but would be best in 3, to savour the views. the trail is deteriorated in sections but it makes it more fun. worst part is the last 20 or so miles as it's on road, which is awful on the feet. You can go straight into the Kintyre way from it if you go sobo
Petter R. · reviewed about 3 years ago
St.Columba's Way was my third long hike and the first outside of Scandinavia. I really enjoyed the hike. The marking of the route is close to non existing. I used the app most of the time. There are some web sites you can use as well. I did the trip in ten days, but can recommend somewhat shorter stages than I had. Out on the Isle of Mull there are basically two main routes to Craignure. The first is a quite simply along the A849. The second, St Columba’s Way, and the more adventurous route along the south of Mull, runs mainly along the coast. Between Fionnphort and Lochbuie the going is varied and difficult. The path is ill-defined, boggy, and overgrown. I don't recommend this route. Due deerstalking I hiked followed the road East of Loch Assapol to the A849 and followed that towards Pennyghael and then descended to Carsaig and followed the beautiful coastal path from there. From Dalmally to Bridge of Orchy I followed the app map but I would recommend to hike south of the river to the bridge instead. I spent every night in a tent and it was possible to find a spot along most of the way. A bit difficult when I got close to Dundee so here I would recommend to hike the Tay Road Bridge to find a spot. There are places to stock up and eat along the way.
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.
