There are few places in Europe better for a walking holiday than Scotland. With a diverse range of walking routes from canal towpaths to tough mountain climbs which have the added challenge of having to deal with ever-changing weather conditions and exposed trails.
We focus on the two most popular routes in Scotland, the West Highland Way and The Great Glen Way. Both long-distance hiking routes will give you a chance to see Scotland's stunning mountain scenery, vast Lochs and impressive canals that are ideal for walking along.
Scotland is an unforgettable walking holiday destination and some routes are iconic for keen walkers and those looking to see some of the United Kingdom's highest peaks.
-shutterstock.jpg "Ruins of Uquhart Castle on the hiking trail")
The West Highland Way is a 154 km long-distance walking route from Glasgow's outskirts to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. You'll see some of Scotland's incredible natural highlights including Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe and dramatic views of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest point.
There is a mix of challenging hiking days followed by some easier ones. The beautiful views of Loch Lomond and Glen Coe make up for the challenge of walking along this long-distance trail. Fort William is the official outdoor capital of the UK and has a wide choice of amenities and places to visit at the end of the tour.
Despite the rugged terrain and remoteness of the route at times, The West Highland Way is Scotland's oldest long-distance hiking trail and is very well sign-posted.
The Great Glen Way is a 177 km walking trail from Fort William to Inverness. The route is very popular with hikers as there is a mix of challenging uphill sections near Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal's flat towpath.
You'll get to see the famous Loch Ness from the slopes of Abriachan Forest and Neptune's Staircase which is not far from Fort William. The lock system transports boats up to the Caledonian Canal to cross from northwest Scotland to northeastern Scotland and was once an important trade route.
The Great Glen Way walking tour finishes in Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands and at the northern end of the Great Glen. Above all, the Great Glen Way is recognised as one of the best walking routes in the UK.
Fully-organised walking holidays are the best way to walk or hike in new surroundings along some of Europe's most popular and lesser-known walking trails in a confident way.
We have a wide selection of walking tours available across Europe, but all of our hiking holidays have several things in common such as luggage transfers and pre-planned routes.
We've highlighted several reasons why you should go on a self-guided walking holiday in our overview video.
If you have never been on a hiking holiday like this before or are used to organising everything yourself from planning the route to carrying your tent, our short video will give you an idea of what to expect on a walking tour with us.
