If you are a keen walker and enjoy reaching the lofty heights of a mountain top, Scotland is a great place to visit. We reveal five of the highest mountains to hike.
A campervan or motorhome holiday also offers the opportunity to enjoy the journey to your chosen hiking route. Sitting in a campervan or motorhome affords you a much higher view of your surroundings as you drive the roads through the beautiful and ever-changing landscapes of Scotland.
It’s well worth taking your time to reach your mountain of choice.
5 highest mountains in Scotland
Hiking Ben Nevis
The tallest of all the mountains in the UK, Ben Nevis stands at more than 4000ft. The mountain, located close to the outdoors town of Fort William in the Highlands, has an exact height of 4413ft (1345m).
There is a route known as the “tourist trail” that zig zags up the western side of the mountain. The total route, out and back is some 11 miles. It takes walkers between seven and nine hours to complete the hike.
Make sure you stop to take plenty of photos of the surrounding landscape with its many local peaks and, if you are lucky to have a clear summit, enjoy an amazing mountain top panorama.
See Ben Nevis via the Mountain Path.
Hiking up Ben Macdui
The second highest mountain in the UK is located in the Cairngorms. Ben Macdui is 4295ft (1309m) high.
Many people will walk the neighbouring mountain of Cairngorm as well as Ben Macdui. A popular route to the top of Cairngorm and Ben Macdui is to start at the Cairngorm Ski centre car park, some 30minutes from the Highlands town of Aviemore.
The full outing is 11 miles and a total ascent of 3057ft.
The route takes in a high and wild plateau of the Cairngorms with spectacular views on a fine day and the chance to spot wildlife such as mountain hare, ptarmigan and red deer.
Hiking Braeriach
Another mountain in the Cairngorms, Braeriach has a top that sits at 4252ft (1296m). The walk to reach the high summit plateau calls for a long hike (more than 16 miles return) from Whitewell, located to the south-east of Aviemore.
But it’s well worth the effort. The views are superb with many surrounding mountains and some of Scotland’s most beautiful corries.
See the Whitewell route description on Walk Highlands.
Climbing Cairn Toul
Another Cairngorms peak, Cairn Toul is often hiked on a long route with neighbouring Braeriach. The summit of Cairn Toul rises to 4236ft (1291m)). There is a subsidiary peak known as Devil’s Point.
For a shorter and faster outing, Cairn Toul can be walked from Deeside and then up Coire Odhar above Corrour Bothy.
Other people might suggest a hike from Auchlean in Glen Feshie, via the path of Corn Ban Mor and then across the wild terrain of Sgor an Lochain Uaine.
Hiking Sgòr an Lochain Uaine
Sgòr an Lochain Uaine is also located in the Cairngorms and while it is the fifth highest mountain in Scotland it also counts as the third highest point in the western massif of the Cairngorms. It’s summit rises to 4127ft (1258m).
It lies between Braeriach and Cairn Toul on the western side of the pass of the Lairig Ghru.
Sgòr an Lochain Uaine is also known as Angel’s Peak. Most people will take two days to hike the full 22 miles of the Cairn Toul to Braeriach traverse. This takes in four major mountain summits, The Devil’s Point, Cairn Toul, Sgor an Lochain and Braeriach.
Book a campervan hire for your Scottish mountaineering goals!
Get in touch with Open Road Scotland. We have a range of campervans and motorhomes to hire in Scotland and conveniently located close to Glasgow Airport in Central Scotland. Book a hire as early as possible if you plan to visit Scotland.