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    2,721 reviews

    Walking Holidays Scotland

    Our travellers consistently rate our tours as the best walking holidays in Scotland. We offer walking and hiking tours giving you the freedom to explore Scotland on foot. Our tours visit iconic scenery like The West Highland WaySkye, Glencoe and The Speyside Way.

    Whichever holiday you choose, you’ll experience a variety of hikes, discovering the profound beauty of Scotland.

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    Award-Winning Walking Tours
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    Book Your Walking Holiday With Europe's No.1 Adventure Travel Company

    Across Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, we run over 100 departure dates, across a mix of grades. So you’re sure to find the ideal walking in Scotland trip. Visit: AITO’s independent reviews of our trips.

    With over 20 years of experience delivering walking tours in the most remote and beautiful regions of Scotland, we do more than just handle travel logistics. Our expert teams know the rocky coastlines, magnificent glens, and silvery mountains better than anyone, and are passionate about delivering a range of world-class hiking adventures to suit every ability.

    We organise your adventure in its entirety, so you don’t need to worry about the planning. Our tours showcase Scotland’s most iconic landscapes by taking you on trails less travelled – choosing walking routes that are beautiful, interesting, and often quieter than their better known counterparts. Whether you wish to explore the Cairngorms National Park, embark on the West Highland Way, or discover Orkney’s Neolithic sites, with 28 wonderful walking trips to choose from, we have the highest rated and broadest selection of any adventure travel company in Scotland.

    Crafted by our expert team of trip designers, our walking tours are built on a foundation of deep personal experience and enhanced and delivered by our passionate guides. We base all our walking packages in small hotels, guest houses, or Highland lodges. A combination of hill walks, coastal walks, and valley hikes are available across the tours. Our grading system allows you to choose a holiday to match your fitness. So, whether you’re a first-time visitor to our heathery hills or a returning traveller, we would be delighted to welcome you to Scotland and help tick every box on your walking holiday wishlist.

    View All Walking Holidays

    Quality Assured Read More

    To ensure a high level of comfort and friendly service, we check the accommodation you stay in. It is generally 3-4 star as standard and offers a high level of comfort and friendly service. Our luxury walking holidays also feature stays at 5 star hotels.

    Many of our tours are all inclusive walking holidays. You will enjoy daily walks and hikes, led by our expert guides through some absolutely stunning walking trails and you’ll only carry with you what you need for the day.

    Our group tours are ideal for single or solo travellers as you get the chance to join like-minded people, you can also book any of our holidays on a private basis, only for your group of closest friends, family or colleagues.

    You can expect to enjoy walking in Scotland by exploring a variety of exhilarating routes during an epic adventure exploring the country’s most beautiful landscapes,  diverse wildlife, and rich history.

    Our Locations Read More

    Walking tours are available in the following locations:

    Trip Grading Explained Read More
    Green Graded: Difficulty 1-3

    Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

    Blue Graded: Difficulty 4-6

    Blue graded walking holidays are suitable for fit and experienced hikers. We walk at a good pace and you can expect to be out for 6-8 hours a day. You will not always be on a path and the terrain underfoot can be rough and boggy, including boulder fields and mountain tops. Some of the daily walks will involve a mountain ascent of over 3000ft / 900m high. Daily distances will be typically up to 16km but may be longer occasionally. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

    Red Graded: Difficulty 7-9

    Red graded walking holidays are suitable for fit and experienced hikers used to more challenging routes and rough terrain. The terrain will be varied but include rough hill tracks, boggy ground, boulder fields and mountain tops. There may be ridge walks or short non-technical scrambling so a good head for heights is useful. Daily distances will be 15 – 20km a day and often include an ascent of a major peak up to 3000ft / 900m high. Daily hikes are available in the itinerary.

    Guided and Self Guided Tours Read More
    Guided

    Booking a guided walking holiday with Wilderness Scotland means booking a trip with the most experienced guides in the business. Our guides don’t just simply take you from A to B. They are ambassadors for Scotland and are passionate about sharing their in-depth knowledge of the nature, geology, history and culture of the country, truly immersing you in your surroundings.

    They’ll bring the landscape to life through tales of local myths and legends. While their expert knowledge of the flora and fauna will make you feel more connected nature than ever as you journey through the Highlands of Scotland.

    View All Walking Holidays

    Self Guided

    On a Wilderness Scotland self guided tour you might be walking on your own but you’ve got the support of 24 hour assistance from the office team, plus the route notes, maps, and luggage transfer that we arrange in advance for you.

    Self guided walking holidays offer the perfect combination of immersion in the lush Scottish landscape, hiking at your own pace and the freedom to explore anything of interest along the way, without the feeling that you’re holding anyone else up.

    View All Self Guided Walking Holidays

    Our Walking Holidays

    29 Wilderness Walking Trips

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    Wilderness Walking
    England Coast to Coast

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

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    Wilderness Walking
    The Coast of Cornwall

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

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    Wilderness Walking
    Northumberland and The Lake District

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

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    Wilderness Walking
    England Coast to Coast

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

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    Wilderness Walking
    The Coast of Cornwall

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

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    Wilderness Walking
    Northumberland and The Lake District

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

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    Wilderness Walking
    National Parks of the UK

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

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    Wilderness Walking
    Northumberland and The Lake District

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

    Trip Flag
    X
    Wilderness Walking
    England Coast to Coast

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

    Trip Flag
    X
    Wilderness Walking
    The Coast of Cornwall

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

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    Wilderness Walking
    National Parks of the UK

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

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    Wilderness Walking
    High Points of the Lake District

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

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    Wilderness Walking
    England Coast to Coast

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

    Trip Flag
    X
    Wilderness Walking
    The Coast of Cornwall

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

    Trip Flag
    X
    Wilderness Walking
    National Parks of the UK

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

    Trip Flag
    X
    Wilderness Walking
    The Coast of Cornwall

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

    Trip Flag
    X
    Wilderness Walking
    England Coast to Coast

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

    Trip Flag
    X
    Wilderness Walking
    National Parks of the UK

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

    Trip Flag
    X
    Wilderness Walking
    The Coast of Cornwall

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

    Trip Flag
    X
    Wilderness Walking
    Northumberland and The Lake District

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

    Trip Flag
    X
    Wilderness Walking
    England Coast to Coast

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

    Trip Flag
    X
    Wilderness Walking
    National Parks of the UK

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

    Trip Flag
    X
    Wilderness Walking
    The Coast of Cornwall

    This trip is operated by our England team. Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website.

    Load More Departures

    First Time Visitors

    We love welcoming new travellers to Scotland and sharing our passion for its wild places. Since our first ever guided walking trip on the rugged peninsula of Knoydart (over twenty years ago), we have continually honed and perfected our craft and now run 28 incredible walking trips that visit some of the most stunning, engaging, and best-loved parts of Scotland. These include the Outer Hebrides, Skye, Shetland, Orkney, Glencoe, and the Highlands – just to name a few. We craft unique and perfectly paced walking itineraries that immerse you in the local culture and are all based on our extensive knowledge of the regions we visit and our vast network of local connections.

    Pre-Trip Planning and Customer Support

    Ok, I’m All Booked But What Do I Pack? Read More

    Don’t worry, for any traveller considering booking a walking holiday with us, we will provide a detailed kit list which you can find here. The list includes all the essential items we recommend packing for your multi-day walking tour, as well as our recommended items. Ideally, if you can pack a soft duffle bag, it makes life easier packing up our vans. During your trip, your luggage will either be kept at your accommodation or stored in the van if you are changing accommodation that day. You will need a small day sack for water, snacks, extra layers, and any other creature comforts.

    Scottish weather is often lovely – clear and cold in the winter, cool and windy in the autumn, fresh and bright in the spring, and warm and settled in the summer. However, you may have heard that we do sometimes get all the seasons in one day, so it’s best to be prepared. As Alfred Wainwright said, ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.’

    What About Getting to Scotland In The First Place? Read More

    Scotland has a strong network of road, rail, and air links which makes travelling to our beautiful country simple and convenient. If you are flying from overseas, you will likely land in Edinburgh, Glasgow, or London. All three airports are well-served by public transport. From Edinburgh or Glasgow you can easily catch a train to the start point of your Wilderness walking trip; if you’re travelling from London, you can fly north or take the Caledonian Sleeper, an overnight rail service to awake in the Highlands of Scotland, ready for adventure.

    Please visit our comprehensive page to help you plan your travel to Scotland

    The Start of Your Trip – Where Do I Meet My Walking Guide? Read More

    Public transport connections make getting around Scotland relatively easy. All our guided group walking trips begin and end at a train station or ferry terminal, which makes the start and end of any adventure relaxed and stress-free. Exactly where and when to meet your Wilderness guide is stated on your chosen walking trip page under the “Trip Details” section and reiterated in correspondence with your travel consultant before your adventure begins.

    Before and After Your Trip – Eat, Stay, See Guides Read More

    Our Adventure Consultants (who are always one hand to answer any queries you may have) will happily provide you with Eat, Stay, See guides for various destinations across Scotland. These guides highlight the best local restaurants, recommended accommodations, and must-see attractions, ensuring you experience the very best each location has to offer. Designed to enhance your visit, they are perfect for making the most of your time before and after your adventure with us.

    Destination Experts

    The ancient nature of Scotland’s wilderness can be felt in the land, sea and sky. Its enduring and irresistible appeal often found in its diverse natural wonders. On a walking tour in Scotland, our travellers are surrounded by these wild, elemental landscapes full of beauty, myth and incredible history.

    Of course, with so many places to explore, deciding where to go is sometimes tricky! Find out more about some of our best-loved destinations below, and remember our Adventure Consultants are always pleased to provide advice or inspiration via email, phone or live chat.

    Sustainability and Responsible Travel

    If our reviews are anything to go by, the way we operate our holidays proves that it is possible to travel responsibly without compromising the traveller’s experience. Our walking itineraries are designed to minimise our carbon footprint, support local communities, and protect the wild places we visit so they can be enjoyed by future generations. 

    What Do We Mean By Responsible Travel?

    Travel allows us to visit beautiful, wild places and connect with different cultures around the world. As travellers, we can travel more sustainably by making well-informed choices. We accept that flying to a destination may be the best available option, but once we’re there we think about staying longer, choosing back-to-back tours ,and making our journeys count once we arrive. By choosing Wilderness Scotland, Wilderness Ireland or Wilderness England, you’re choosing a world-leading travel company fully committed to sustainable travel. 

    Our Sustainability Goals

    Our vision for 21st century travel is one that pushes decisively towards a more sustainable future. We have taken an industry-leading position on climate change. We are one of only a handful of companies committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the first global science-based standard with the aim of achieving true net zero.  

    Our holidays reviewed in your own words...

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    Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

    That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

    DB

    Daniel Brown

    Wilderness Walking - Autumn Highlands

    Age: 60 - 70
    Country: United States
    Trip Date: 25/09/2024
    Trips Taken: 1

    The Bottom Line

    JR

    Julie Rader

    Walking - Autumn Lake District

    Age: 30 - 40
    Country: United States
    Trip Date: 04/11/2024
    Trips Taken: 1

    The Bottom Line

    MS

    Mary Simpson

    Walking - Autumn Lake District

    Age: 70 - 80
    Country: United Kingdom
    Trip Date: 04/11/2024
    Trips Taken: 2

    The Bottom Line

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