Long distance hiking

Scotland has an extensive network of long distance trails to suit hikers of all abilities

Choose your Scottish Hostels adventure

Scotland is a great place for long distance hiking. Walk on one of our established trails or follow your own route. Complete it all in one trip or keep coming back until you've finished. There are no rules!

The Scottish National Trail (Scotland’s longest) is 864km and can take up to 2 months to complete. Whether you manage something that big or just walk one stage at a time you’ll get to experience some of Scotland’s most amazing places.

Our highlights

There are too many long distance routes in Scotland to name check them all individually, so we thought we'd share our hostel owners' top recommendations.

  • Cape Wrath Trail (14 - 18 days) - a challenging unmarked route from Fort William to Cape Wrath through some of Scotland's most remote and beautiful landscapes. Recommended for experienced long distance walkers.

  • Cateran Trail (4 - 6 days) - a circular waymarked route from Blairgowrie through some lesser known glens in Perthshire and Angus.

  • Great Glen Way (5 - 6 days) - a waymarked route along the Great Glen from Fort William to Inverness. A good introduction to long distance walking.

  • John Muir Way (9 - 10 days) - a waymarked coast to coast hike across Scotland's Central Belt from Helensburgh in the west to Dunbar (the birthplace of John Muir) in the east.

  • Rob Roy Way (5 - 8 days) - from Drymen to Pitlochry through the Trossachs and along Loch Tay. The route follows tracks, minor roads and cycle paths.

  • Speyside Way (6 - 8 days) - a waymarked trail following the River Spey from Buckie on the Moray coast to Newtonmore in the Cairngorms. The area is famous for its whisky distilleries.

  • St Cuthbert's Way (4 - 5 days) - a cross border waymarked trail linking various locations sites associated with St Cuthbert from Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders with Lindisfarne in Northumberland, England.

  • West Highland Way (5 - 8 days) - Scotland's first and most popular long distance trail between Milngavie (on the outskirts of Glasgow) and Fort William. Get ready to walk through some of Scotland's most stunning scenery. 

Why our hostels are great for long distance hikers

We have hostels located on all our highlighted routes as well as these ones - Affric Kintail Way, Clyde Walkway, Dava Way, East Highland Way, John O'Groats Trail, Kintyre Way, Loch Ness 360, Moray Coast Trail, Scottish National Trail and the Skye Trail.

Staying in one of our hostels is a great choice for long distance hikers. You'll be sure of a warm welcome and our hostel owners will be able to give you the best advice on the next stage of your hike.

As well as a comfy bed and a hot shower, there'll be a drying room to get your kit dry, laundry facilities, a kitchen to make a meal and the chance to meet fellow hikers!

Using public transport to go from hostel to hostel is a great way to hop on and off a long distance trail.

If you want to find which of our hostels are on a long distance trail, you can see the full list below or use our search facility.

Our hostels on long distance routes

Inchnadamph Lodge

Inchnadamph, Assynt, Inchnamph

Inchnadamph Lodge lies at the foot of Ben More Assynt, overlooking Loch Assynt and sitting on the NC500. It offers a variety of accommodation, from...

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Glenfinnan Sleeping Car

Heritage railway carriage with many original 1950s features, converted into a unique and comfortable hostel  for up to 10 people.  Ideal...
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The Dolphin Inn

The Dolphin Inn has a stylish retro vintage interior which extends through its ten rooms, all situated on two upper floors. These include twins, do...
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Great Glen Hostel

If you are walking or cycling the Great Glen Way we are just minutes from the track, one mile north of Laggan Locks - either one or two days' walk...
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The Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse

The Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse was created with a sharp eye for design and comfort, and provides a friendly and luxurious retreat in the wilderness...
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Heb Hostel

The family run Heb Hostel, is ideally situated in the centre of Stornoway, heart of the Outer Hebrides. Our 4 star accommodation provides a home fr...
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Dervaig Village Hall Bunkrooms

We are a six bed Hostel situated in Dervaig Village Hall. We have two rooms a four bed and a two bed both en-suite (bunk beds). Pets are welcome wi...
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Acheninver Hostel

Acheninver Hostel is on the Ben Mor Coigach Wildlife Reserve with panoramic views over the Summer Isles. There are mountain routes f...
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Morag's Lodge

Our cosy 4* Loch Ness hostel offers superb budget, dog-friendly accommodation in Fort Augustus on the Great Glen Way. Whether you arrive alone or w...
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Dun Flodigarry Hostel

Dun Flodigarry is an independent,family-run hostel in the North end of the Isle of Skye, which has been welcoming visitors since 1992. We have 29 b...
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Skye Basecamp

Skye Basecamp is a "home from home" hostel with private rooms and individual beds in shared rooms. Our facilities are aimed at lovers of the great...
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Lazy Crofter Bunkhouse

The Lazy Crofter Bunkhouse offers quality self-catering accommodation at affordable prices. Robbie and Fiona Mackay pride themselves on the warm at...
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Fraoch Lodge

Versatile and innovative, Fraoch Lodge is our self-styled “mountain lodge” providing the ultimate mix in flexibility, comfort and value...
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