Scotland for Outdoor Lovers: Hikes, Road Trip Stops and Tips

Is Scotland the best place in the UK for outdoor lovers? I think it might be! Wild mountains, sea cliffs, lochs you can paddle across and waterfalls you can swim under. The weather can be moody, but when the sun comes out, it is so beautiful.

We first explored Scotland on a 16-day campervan road trip in August, from Loch Lomond and Glencoe to Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye. Later we went back to the far north-west for a canoe and wild camping trip to Suilven, which is still my favourite mountain in Scotland. In this guide I share our favourite hikes and road trip stops, plus the trail guides I have researched for the hikes we haven't done yet. I have checked parking, permits and camping rules for 2026.

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Quick answer

• Isle of Skye highlights: the Old Man of Storr at sunset, Brother's Point, the Fairy Glen and Neist Point. Most car parks are now pay and display.
• Best short hike in Glencoe: the Lost Valley, about 5 km return with a tricky stream crossing.
• Most epic adventure: Suilven in Assynt, by foot or by canoe.
• Wild camping: allowed in a tent under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, in small numbers and for two or three nights at most. Access rights don't cover campervans or cars.
• Loch Lomond: you need a camping permit (£4.50 per tent per night) in the lochside zones from 1 March to 30 September.
• Pack for rain and midges. Waterproofs are a must, even in August.

Isle of Skye

Skye was my favourite part of our road trip. We spent 3 nights on the island and there was something cool to see around every corner.

• Old Man of Storr: we arrived just after 8 pm in early August for the sunset and had the top all to ourselves. It was so peaceful. Allow 1.5–2 hours for this 4.5 km hike. Parking (2026): a 70-space Highland Council car park, £6 for up to 6 hours.
• Fairy Glen: a truly unique place near Uig. There is no marked path, so just explore. Allow about an hour. Roadside parking costs £3 for up to 4 hours, with only 25 spaces.
• Brother's Point (Rubha nam Brathairean): a short 3.5 km hike that was not busy at all, with a great view of Kilt Rock. Park in the small lay-by at Culnacnoc.
• Kilt Rock: honestly, I didn't find this place amazing. The view from Brother's Point is much better. If you stop, parking is £3 for up to 2 hours.
• Neist Point: we walked all the way to the lighthouse on a sunny day. Be careful at the cliff edge! The car park is small, so arrive early.
• Fairy Pools: I was a bit disappointed, as the photos online are a bit deceptive. Arrive early, as it gets very busy.

We haven't hiked the Quiraing yet, but it is high on our list. Our Quiraing loop guide covers the 6.8 km circuit. For all our Skye stops, read must-see places on the Isle of Skye.

Where we stayed: our favourite was the campsite just north of Portree, now called Portree Campsite (hard standing pitches £26–£38 a night in 2026). Glenbrittle Campsite is right by the coast and handy for the Fairy Pools. It costs £14.50 per adult per night and is open from late March to mid-October.

Please be considerate when you park! Skye has a big parking problem, and cars on the verges break up the roads and block locals and farm vehicles.

Glencoe, Ben Nevis and Glenfinnan

Driving through Glencoe is an experience in itself, with mountains, rivers and waterfalls on both sides of the road. You will want to stop every few minutes!

• The Lost Valley: one of my favourite walks of the whole trip. It is about 5 km return and takes 2–4 hours, with some scrambling and a stream crossing. We missed the right crossing point on the way up! Walking poles would have helped a lot. Read our Lost Valley walk guide.
• Glencoe Lochan: an easy 30-minute loop with views of Beinn a' Bheithir, and a lochside path suitable for wheelchairs. Forestry and Land Scotland parking is £1 for an hour or £3 all day.
• Ben Nevis: we stayed two nights at Glen Nevis campsite, close to the start of the path. However, the weather wasn't good enough and we decided not to risk it. Our Ben Nevis Mountain Track guide has everything you need for the 16 km, 7–9 hour climb.
• Glenfinnan Viaduct: a must for Harry Potter fans. Arrive early, as both car parks were full by 10:10 am when we went. The National Trust for Scotland car park costs £5 (2026). The 2027 Jacobite steam train times hadn't been published yet in November 2026.

We loved Red Squirrel Campsite in Glencoe for its setting by the River Coe, surrounded by mountains. More stops in our post on things to do in the Highlands.

Loch Ness and Glen Affric

Urquhart Castle has lovely views over Loch Ness. In 2026 adult tickets cost £14 online or £16 at the castle, and summer tickets often sell out, so book ahead. In Glen Affric, the Dog Falls trail is easy and well marked, but I wasn't really impressed. Plodda Falls was a real highlight though. I went for a wild swim in the pool opposite the falls on a warm, sunny day! The Forestry and Land Scotland car parks here cost £2 for an hour, £3 for 3 hours or £5 all day.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Loch Lomond is easy to reach from Glasgow, as the train to Balloch takes about 45 minutes. We hired a canoe in Balloch for an hour and walked up Duncryne Hill for probably the best view of the loch for minimal effort. The Cobbler near Arrochar is an 11 km round trip of 4–6 hours. We did it mostly in rain and fog, so I still need to go back for that epic photo!

If you want a bigger mountain, Ben Lomond (974 m) is about 12 km return from Rowardennan and takes 4.5–6 hours. Camping: from 1 March to 30 September you need a permit to camp in the lochside Camping Management Zones. It costs £4.50 per tent per night and can be booked up to 4 weeks ahead. Read more in things to do in Loch Lomond.

Suilven and Assynt

I wanted to climb Suilven ever since I saw a photo of it on Instagram. It is 731 m high and rises straight up from the wild, empty landscape of Assynt. There are three ways to reach it:

• From the north: an 18 km return hike from near Glencanisp Lodge, with about 950 m of elevation gain. Allow 8–10 hours.
• From the south: a 22 km return hike from the car park near Inverkirkaig, past the Falls of Kirkaig, with a scramble at the end.
• By canoe (our choice): a 10 km paddle from Elphin along Loch Veyatie and Fionn Loch, then a 7 km return hike with 670 m of elevation gain.

We hired a 16 ft canoe for 5 days from In Your Element near Inverness, which gave us spare days for bad weather. On the way back the water was low, so we had to portage for about 600 m. There is no phone signal in Elphin or on the lochs, so we carried a satellite communicator. The best time to go is spring, after the snow melts but before the midges arrive. Read the full story of hiking Suilven.

Edinburgh and more adventures

We haven't climbed Arthur's Seat yet, but it is an easy one to add to a city break. Our Arthur's Seat walk guide covers the 4 km circular route from Holyrood Palace. If you love paddling, the Great Glen Canoe Trail is in our list of the best UK kayak and canoe trips.

Wild camping and campervans in Scotland

Scotland is different from England. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code allows lightweight camping in a tent, in small numbers and for no more than two or three nights in one place. Pitch away from houses and roads, leave no trace and use a stove rather than an open fire.

However, access rights don't include motor vehicles. So sleeping in a campervan or car is not wild camping. Use campsites, or places where overnight parking is allowed. Highland Council also runs a scheme for its designated overnight car parks (£40 for 7 days). On our road trip we stayed at campsites every night, and we loved the flexibility of the van. Read why in 7 reasons we chose a campervan over a hotel room. Please note that Spaceships, the company we rented from, stopped renting campervans in the UK in October 2025.

What to pack for hiking in Scotland

The weather changes fast, so you must be prepared for rain. Waterproof boots, trousers and a coat are essential. Showers often only last about 15 minutes, so don't let a bit of rain put you off. Midge repellent is a must in summer, and walking poles help on stream crossings. I recommend the Walkhighlands website for planning hikes.

For wild camping, we cook on a Jetboil. We took it to Suilven and to Angle Tarn on our way up to Scotland.

In remote places like Assynt, a satellite communicator is essential for your safety. The Garmin inReach Mini is one I recommend in my wild camping equipment checklist.

A water filter saves you carrying lots of weight, as there are streams and lochs everywhere. The Sawyer Mini is a simple, lightweight one I recommend in the same list.

FAQ

Is wild camping legal in Scotland?

Yes, in a tent. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code allows lightweight camping in small numbers for up to two or three nights in one place. It doesn't cover cars or campervans, and some areas of Loch Lomond need a permit from March to September.

What is the best hike on the Isle of Skye?

The Old Man of Storr is the classic, and it is about 4.5 km return. Go at sunset or very early to avoid the crowds. For something quieter, I loved Brother's Point.

Do you have to pay for parking on Skye?

At most popular spots, yes. As of 2026, the Storr costs £6 for up to 6 hours, the Fairy Glen £3 for up to 4 hours and Kilt Rock £3 for up to 2 hours.

When is the best time for hiking in Scotland?

Late spring is great, after the snow melts but before the midges arrive. Summer has the longest days, but bring midge repellent. Winter mountain hikes are only for experienced walkers.

Do I need a permit to camp at Loch Lomond?

Yes, if you camp in a Camping Management Zone between 1 March and 30 September. A permit costs £4.50 per tent per night (2026).

Have you been hiking in Scotland? Which place should we add to our list next? Let me know in the comments!