The walking paths of Scotland are some of the most dramatic you鈥檒l find in the world鈥攖raveling along broad barren fields and weather-beaten stretches of empty coast without ever straying too far from a pub. John Muir, the Scottish-born founder of the , would be proud of the network of trekking paths that greet visitors to his country today. These three are among the finest. You can camp along the way or stay overnight in the towns you pass through鈥攂e sure to bring bug spray either way.
The Best Treks in Scotland: Southern Upland Way
The stretches 212 miles across southern Scotland, starting on the southwest coast in Portpatrick and traveling to the opposite shore at Cockburnspath. It鈥檚 a significantly less crowded but equally beautiful alternative to the renowned West Highland Way. The walk is a sampler platter of the best of Scotland’s scenery鈥攔ocky shores, thick forests, sheep pastures, and old castles.
The Best Treks in Scotland: Great Glen Way
The travels 73 miles through the Highlands along the path of the Great Glen, Scotland鈥檚 longest valley. Hikers begin at the southwest trailhead at Fort William and follow the Caledonian Canal, which connects several lakes鈥攊ncluding Loch Ness鈥攂efore terminating in the east at Inverness. The route follows the canal鈥檚 towpath for much of the way, though it does dart into the forested hills occasionally, and isn鈥檛 overly rigorous.
The Best Treks in Scotland: St. Cuthbert鈥檚 Way
This crisscrosses the border between Scotland and England, beginning at the place where St. Cuthbert鈥攖he medieval patron saint of northern England鈥攕tarted his ministry in the 7th century, and traveling east to Holy Island where he died. Your hike starts at the stunning 12th-century Melrose Abbey and follows the banks of the River Tweed before climbing the Eildon Hills and Wideopen Hill, passing St. Cuthbert鈥檚 Cave, and finally reaching the North Sea coast. The trip usually takes four days to complete.