Where to walk in Scotland...

[Gail-force]

Hi all, like most of us, I'm busy planning this years holidays. Now, my main thing is walking, and wherever I go to Europe or England, good old Komoot, All Trails, Visorando or Map.me offer loads of walks where you can chop and change and make the perfect circular walks with pub stop, view stop, kneipp pools or Getränkebars (yes, I was in the Black Forest last year ) However... I can't find anything about walking in Scotland!! All of the trusty tools that I depend on to plan my walks are all but useless. You can't tell me that there's only 20 walks in the whole of Fife, most being small circular walks along the coast! Even the Tourist Information only offer 3 or 4 small walks, most of which are on roads.

I know there's the "Right to Roam" in Scotland, but I'm not really comfortable just tropming through a farmers field, and trying to lift 2 substantial dogs over a gate that's barbed wired shut is not funny (well, it probably is to anyone watching!)

So, reason for this post, I'd really like to visit Scotland, but without being able to get in a good 9 mile walk (preferable not walking alongside the A9) I'd feel like the Blue Rince brigade, drive up to the outskirts of a town, have a quick walk around, grab some chips, then back to the van and off... all the the Benny Hill music

Any advice would be appreciated as it's a spectacular place that I'd love to see more of, but not just through my windscreen

 

[CAB96]

Walkhighlands.co.uk

Best resource I have found.

It is a bit unnerving walking in Scotland after being used to England's rights of way (Wales is another matter entirely!) but with enough research it is possible.

 

[Pocket Rocket]

In a previous job, I was an Outdoor Access Officer in Scotland, responsible for walking and cycling routes. The access situation in Scotland is very different to England and Wales. As you mention, there is a general “right of access” as long as you are responsible (or don’t go tramping through the middle of a working farmyard!). However a right if access doesn’t mean there will be paths!

But every area has a “Core Path Network” - which are on a public map published by the local authorities. Just google the local authority name plus core path network and it should give you a link to the path maps.

Here is an example of Fife’s Core Path Network map - lots of walking and cycling paths

ArcGIS Web Application

fifeonline-maps.maps.arcgis.com

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

Seeing as you mentioned Fife:

The Fife Coastal Path is approximately 117 miles (188km) long, starting in Kincardine and ending in Newburgh. Alternatively the Fife Pilgrim Way is 64miles from Culross to St Andrews.

Lots of detailed information on Fife Coast and Countryside Trust website. Or look at Forest & Enterprise Scotland site. Also https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/

We are rather privileged to have good access to the countryside right across Scotland.

 

[CV20Bobby]

Outdoor Active App ,

Home

Discover amazing outdoor experiences, reliable route suggestions and the best maps worldwide — as ...

www.outdooractive.com

£26.99 for the year to get full OS Maps or just use for free pretty good map resolution.

Walkhighlands App but I think this is integrated into Outdoor Active ( I may be wrong as I used Walkhighlands and still get the newsletter but only have Outdoor Active now on my phone )

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/app.php

 

[namwaldog]

Not exactly what you are looking for, but most cycle paths allow you to walk so maybe check out Sustrans...
Apparently, it's now called Walk Wheel Cycle Trust....

Walk Wheel Cycle Trust homepage

The homepage for the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust website

www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk

 

[pinarello_sunset]

Walk Highlands is superb. It has hundreds of walks from shorty city strolls to multi-munro epics. Also covers length and breadth of Scotland and all the Isles. We use it all the time. If out on the hills we'll also combine it with OS maps. Gives a good breakdown of the long distance paths (Southern Upland, West Highland etc etc). Where in Scotland are you thinking of going?

 

[Otter Spotter]

As others have said you do have a ‘right to roam’ in Scotland but please, please remember that doesn’t mean your dogs have a right to run off lead just because the land looks empty and you may not see cattle or sheep, In the spring there will be many ground nesting birds that could be disturbed with eggs or chicks abandoned. Curlews and Lapwings are reducing in numbers partly due to disturbance.
Finally please don’t leave doggie bags behind take them to a bin, plastic bags do not look good on trees and bushes

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[Barti Ddu]

We spent a few weeks hiking in Scotland last September. Weather was particularly wet and windy, but we made the best of it!

I'd agree that advance planning and route finding using OS maps in Scotland is harder than in England and Wales, in part as everyone has said due to the right to roam - it means standard right of way footpaths and bridleways become a bit redundant and not many are depicted on OS maps. You have to get used to using the feint dotted tracks on the map that you'd steer clear of usually. Once actually walking on them they are generally well walked and clearly defined paths.

As for the actual walking. Some memorable hikes from our recent trip -

Ben Nevis is a bit of a slog especially in a descending mist. You're starting from basically sea level in Fort William. After a pleasant steady ascent, the main Pony Track eventually zig zags seemingly unremittingly towards the summit. It's an achievement to have done it, but the rewards didn't really justify the effort.



Skye - lot's of good hiking opportunities with a spectacular landscape. In particular, The Quiraing, The Old Man of Storr, and Needle Rock. Highly recommended despite the crowds





A bit left field, but on our way up, we overnighted in Wanlockhead, which surprisingly is Scotland's highest village despite being in Dumfries and Galloway rather than the Highlands. You can hike up to the huge NATS air traffic radar dome on the top of Lowther Hills. Huge views from here including back across to Cumbria and the Lake District.



Other highlights - Ben Lawers, the 10th highest Monroe, but still higher than anywhere in England or Wales. A very rewarding ridge walk.
Also, The Three Sisters and Lost Valley in Glencoe, and finally the summit of Beinn Lora above Oban. To be honest though, there are good hiking opportunities everywhere!

 

[Gail-force]

In a previous job, I was an Outdoor Access Officer in Scotland, responsible for walking and cycling routes. The access situation in Scotland is very different to England and Wales. As you mention, there is a general “right of access” as long as you are responsible (or don’t go tramping through the middle of a working farmyard!). However a right if access doesn’t mean there will be paths!

But every area has a “Core Path Network” - which are on a public map published by the local authorities. Just google the local authority name plus core path network and it should give you a link to the path maps.

Here is an example of Fife’s Core Path Network map - lots of walking and cycling paths

ArcGIS Web Application

fifeonline-maps.maps.arcgis.com

Ah! Perfect I'd never heard of this "core path network"... that'll give me a good base to start with

Seeing as you mentioned Fife:

The Fife Coastal Path is approximately 117 miles (188km) long, starting in Kincardine and ending in Newburgh. Alternatively the Fife Pilgrim Way is 64miles from Culross to St Andrews.

Lots of detailed information on Fife Coast and Countryside Trust website. Or look at Forest & Enterprise Scotland site. Also https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/

We are rather privileged to have good access to the countryside right across Scotland.

Fantastic, thanks for the links This is giving me loads of info to start planning

 

[Gail-force]

We spent a few weeks hiking in Scotland last September. Weather was particularly wet and windy, but we made the best of it!

I'd agree that advance planning and route finding using OS maps in Scotland is harder than in England and Wales, in part as everyone has said due to the right to roam - it means standard right of way footpaths and bridleways become a bit redundant and not many are depicted on OS maps. You have to get used to using the feint dotted tracks on the map that you'd steer clear of usually. Once actually walking on them they are generally well walked and clearly defined paths.

As for the actual walking. Some memorable hikes from our recent trip -

Ben Nevis is a bit of a slog especially in a descending mist. You're starting from basically sea level in Fort William. After a pleasant steady ascent, the main Pony Track eventually zig zags seemingly unremittingly towards the summit. It's an achievement to have done it, but the rewards didn't really justify the effort.



Skye - lot's of good hiking opportunities with a spectacular landscape. In particular, The Quiraing, The Old Man of Storr, and Needle Rock. Highly recommended despite the crowds





A bit left field, but on our way up, we overnighted in Wanlockhead, which surprisingly is Scotland's highest village despite being in Dumfries and Galloway rather than the Highlands. You can hike up to the huge NATS air traffic radar dome on the top of Lowther Hills. Huge views from here including back across to Cumbria and the Lake District.



Other highlights - Ben Lawers, the 10th highest Monroe, but still higher than anywhere in England or Wales. A very rewarding ridge walk.
Also, The Three Sisters and Lost Valley in Glencoe, and finally the summit of Beinn Lora above Oban. To be honest though, there are good hiking opportunities everywhere!

Oh wow! thanks for sharing, your piccies are fab... and not another soul in site... perfect

 

[PsychoticBadger]

Outdoor Active App ,

Home

Discover amazing outdoor experiences, reliable route suggestions and the best maps worldwide — as ...

www.outdooractive.com

£26.99 for the year to get full OS Maps or just use for free pretty good map resolution.

Walkhighlands App but I think this is integrated into Outdoor Active ( I may be wrong as I used Walkhighlands and still get the newsletter but only have Outdoor Active now on my phone )

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/app.php

+1 for OS Maps. GPS not network based with 1:50k, 1:25k, Topographical, Aerial and NCN. Also many free user routes to choose from.

 

[CAB96]

Outdoor Active App ,

Home

Discover amazing outdoor experiences, reliable route suggestions and the best maps worldwide — as ...

www.outdooractive.com

£26.99 for the year to get full OS Maps or just use for free pretty good map resolution.

Walkhighlands App but I think this is integrated into Outdoor Active ( I may be wrong as I used Walkhighlands and still get the newsletter but only have Outdoor Active now on my phone )

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/app.php

And €10 (yes, 10 euros!) off for CAMC members!

 

[Northernraider]

In Scotland you can walk anywhere you like .

Im from Fife and there are literally hundreds of places to walk , coastal walks , hill walks , forest walks .

You'll not struggle to find places to walk with dogs in Scotland.


Or places to park up

 

[Kayak Kid]

Please also remember that the term “Wild Camping “ in Scotland has a specific meaning in relation to access. It means camping - usually in a more remote location and accessed on foot! It does not mean that a Campervan or other vehicle has a right to stop and camp overnight anywhere. The right to stop overnight in a Campervan etc still requires the permission of the landowner - whether that is a private or public owner. Of course there are many publically owned areas which allow such overnight stopping without the need for permission.

I say this as the term “Wild Camping” is commonly used by the Motorhome/ Campervan fraternity in the UK for what is also termed “Off site”, “Off Grid” etc and not to be confused by the term and rights of access in Scotland.

 

[CV20Bobby]

The right to roam in Scotland does not allow you to walk through private gardens or fields with crops

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[lorger]

I just fid a quick search in Komoot for Fife and it found 964 walks, are you sure the filters are correct

 

[irnbru]

I would suggest a trip from Largs to Isle of Cumbrae. 8 mins on ferry. The island is flat and it's a 10.5 mile walk or cycle around. You will be walking on the road but there is very little traffic for 7 miles. Busy part is the 3 mile from ferry to the only town on island.

 

[Pausim]

When I wanted to walk in Scotland some years ago I bought a book detailing walks on the Corbetts. I didn’t feel I wanted to tackle any Munros but the Corbetts are 500 ft lower, between 2500ft and 3000ft rather than the over 3000ft Munros. They are generally quieter than the busy Munros and I found some good walks, often having them to myself.

 

[Mister Rob]

Komoot has hundreds probably thousands of hikes in Scotland here's a quick example. It lists 171 hikes.

I use komoot to find routes then download them as gpx files then use outdoor active as my route guide since it uses OS maps, it even has a GPS style voice guidance if required.

 

[Gordmac]

Maps should show forestry roads, a lot of nice walks on them.