Beginner-friendly & easy hillwalks in the Scottish Highlands

View from Sgor Gaibhre to Loch Rannoch and Schiehallion
Schiehallion with its iconic peak – a very beginner-friendly Munro

On this page, you will find beginner-friendly and easy hillwalks in all regions of the Scottish Highlands. If you are also interested in more challenging walks, feel free to browse my other hillwalking routes as well.

I point out difficult sections with map markers and give a comprehensive overview of the specific walk so that you will know in advance what challenges or difficulties you may encounter.

If you haven’t been hillwalking before, I recommend you read my Hillwalker’s Guide to Awesome Adventures, where you will learn the basics of planning a walk and keeping yourself safe on the hills.

The walks below are sorted into two different categories: “beginner-friendly” and “easy” hillwalks.

Please note, however, that they are only valid for hillwalking in summer conditions. What might be a relatively easy hillwalk on a sunny day in June can be a huge challenge when snow and ice are involved – especially when you don’t have the necessary winter hillwalking equipment and the skills to use it correctly.

Please take the different criteria only as rough guidance and always read the detailed descriptions of the walk you’re interested in. Not all criteria may necessarily apply to a walk in that category.

Beginner-friendly hillwalks

Typical numbers

  • Ascent: up to 800m
  • Distance: up to 10km
  • Duration: up to 5 hours in total (including breaks)

Typical terrain

  • Walk is on well-trodden paths that are obvious
Northwest Highlands
  1. Little Wyvis – Wee hill, big views
West Highlands
  1. Meall Fuar-mhonaidh – The best chance to see Nessie
Cairngorms
  1. Cairngorm – Quick & not dirty
  2. Meall a’ Bhuachaille – Great for whetting your appetite
  3. Morrone – A perfect introduction to Deeside
  4. Geallaig Hill – A Graham for great views
Central Highlands
  1. Geal-charn Mòr near Aviemore – On the edge of the Monadhliath Mountains
Southern Highlands
  1. Schiehallion – An iconic peak to bag
  2. Ben Chonzie – A beginner’s darling

Easy hillwalks

Typical numbers

  • Ascent: up to 1.000m
  • Distance: up to 15km
  • Duration: between 5 and 7 hours

Typical terrain

  • Walk is on well-trodden paths that are obvious for most of the way
  • Pathless sections may be encountered
  • Steeper and more challenging terrain (muddy slopes, bog holes/peat hags)
Northwest Highlands
  1. Ben Wyvis – Vast views & perfect paths
West Highlands
  1. Loch Lochy Munros – Perfect for beginners who want to level up
Cairngorms
  1. Mount Keen – The most easterly Munro
Central Highlands
  1. Buachaille Etive Beag – Great ridge walk, great views
Southern Highlands
  1. Ben Lawers – A stunning Scottish Classic