Scotland may be famous for its mighty Munros and long-distance trails, but you don’t need an epic expedition to enjoy a big view.
Across the country are short, rewarding walks that pack in mountain and loch views, often in under two hours.
Whether you’re visiting the Highlands, the islands, or even Edinburgh, here are some of the very best short Scottish walks with jaw-dropping views.
How to use this guide:
Explore by region or pick walks based on how much time you have. Each walk has details on distance, difficulty, what makes it special, and practical tips to help you plan.
15 of the best short walks with a view in Scotland
- Conic Hill (Loch Lomond / Balmaha) – a steep but quick climb with sweeping views over Loch Lomond and its island-dotted fault line.
- Hermitage & Ossian’s Hall (Dunkeld) – gentle woodland stroll through giant firs to a dramatic waterfall viewpoint above the River Braan.
- Faskally Wood / Dunmore Trail (Pitlochry) – easy forest and lochside paths, especially beautiful in autumn.
- Glencoe Lochan (Glencoe) – short forest trails around a tranquil loch reflecting the towering Glencoe peaks.
- Dun Na Cuaiche (Inveraray) – woodland climb to a stone tower overlooking Loch Fyne and the picturesque town of Inveraray.
- Kinnoull Hill (near Perth) – a modest hill with wide views across Perth, the River Tay and the distant Grampians.
- Stac Pollaidh (Assynt, Northwest Highlands) – a rugged sandstone ridge that delivers jaw-dropping vistas over Coigach and Loch Lurgainn.
- Ben A’an (The Trossachs) – “The mountain in miniature,” rewarding a short but steep hike with classic Loch Katrine panoramas.
- Quiraing & Old Man of Storr (Isle of Skye) – Two iconic Skye hikes through dramatic landslip scenery and needle-like rock pinnacles.
- Uath Lochans (Glen Feshie / Cairngorms) – boardwalks and pinewoods around hidden lochans, plus a short climb to Farleitter Crag for big views.
- Glenfinnan Viewpoint (Lochaber) – quick ascent to see the famous viaduct (with possible steam train) and Loch Shiel stretching into the hills.
- Dumyat (Ochil Hills, near Stirling) – a popular evening hill for locals, with views over the Forth Valley and as far as the Forth Bridges.
- Creag an Tuirc (Balquhidder) – a brief, steep woodland walk to a historic clan gathering spot overlooking Loch Voil and Loch Doine.
- Sanna Bay from Portuairk (Ardnamurchan) – a gentle coastal path to one of Scotland’s most beautiful white-sand beaches and turquoise waters.
- Arthur’s Seat (Edinburgh) – an extinct volcano in the heart of the capital offering 360° city and Firth of Forth vistas in under an hour.
Read on for how to hike these walks with a view in Scotland…
1. Conic Hill – Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
A classic “big view, small effort” climb. From the Balmaha car park on the east side of Loch Lomond, a steep but well-made path winds up Conic Hill in about an hour.
At the top, Loch Lomond stretches north to the Highlands and south toward Glasgow, dotted with islands marking the Highland Boundary Fault. Sunrise or sunset here is unforgettable.
The View: Loch Lomond’s islands spread out beneath you, with the Highland Boundary Fault clearly visible and the Arrochar Alps on the horizon.
- Location: On the east shore of Loch Lomond, near the village of Balmaha (Stirling / Trossachs area)
- Distance / Duration: ~4.0 km return (~2.5 hours)
- Elevation / Difficulty: ~324 m ascent; rated easy/moderate to moderate. The climb gets steeper near the summit, with some loose rock / scramble sections.
- Best time to hike: Sunset (but bring a torch for the way down)
- Toilet Facilities: Balmaha Visitor Centre has toilets.
- Parking: Balmaha Car Park, £3.20 to £5.00 for an all-day ticket in the main public car park.
> More things to do near Balmaha, Loch Lomond
> How to climb Conic Hill
2. The Hermitage & Ossian’s Hall – Dunkeld
Ancient Douglas firs tower above the River Braan on this gentle woodland circuit.
The star attraction is Ossian’s Hall, a folly-like viewing platform suspended over the roaring Black Linn Falls.
The Hermitage has lots of accessible paths and short distance make it ideal for families.
The View: Wander beneath towering 250-year-old Douglas firs as the River Braan thunders below. At Ossian’s Hall, a romantic 18th-century folly, glass doors frame the dramatic Black Linn Falls. In autumn, fiery leaf colours reflect in the river.
- Location: Dunkeld, Perthshire
- Distance / Duration: Very short circuits (0.5–1.5 miles) through woodland to the viewing hall / waterfalls
- Difficulty: Easy / family-friendly
- Best time to hike: autumn for the fabulous colours
- Toilet facilities: available in nearby Dunkeld.
- Parking: The Hermitage Car Park, £4 per vehicle, free for National Trust for Scotland members.
> More things to do in Perthshire
3. Faskally Wood / Dunmore Trail – Pitlochry
Known for its autumn light show, Faskally Wood offers easy trails around Loch Dunmore and the River Tummel. Reflections of golden trees on still water are a photographer’s dream, but the scenery is serene year-round.
The View: Faskally Wood is a natural light show. Stroll along tranquil paths where tall Scots pines and coppery beeches reflect in the still waters of Loch Dunmore and the River Tummel. Autumn brings breathtaking reds, oranges, and golds.
The Enchanted Forest light festival in October transforms the woods into an illuminated wonderland (ticketed event).
- Location: Pitlochry, Perthshire
- Distance / Duration: ~0.75 mile (1.2 km) for the Dunmore Trail; longer woodland loops up to 2 miles (3.2 km) – 30 min to 1.5 hours. Estate paths are well waymarked; follow the green “Dun Na Cuaiche” arrows from the castle grounds.
- Difficulty: Easy / gentle gradients. Waymarked trails (blue, red, yellow) make it easy to choose a route to suit your time and energy.
- Best time to hike: autumn, the river is spectacular
- Toilet facilities: Available in nearby Pitlochry (about 5 min by car).
- Parking: Faskally Wood Car Park, £3 per vehicle all day.
4. Glencoe Lochan – Glencoe
Created in the 19th century as a slice of Canadian landscape in the Scottish Highlands, Glencoe Lochan is a peaceful forested walk with the mighty peaks of Glencoe reflected in the water. Several short waymarked trails mean you can tailor the walk to your time and mood.
The View: Glencoe Lochan is a tranquil pocket of pine forest framed by some of Scotland’s most dramatic peaks. Mirror-still water reflects the Pap of Glencoe and the towering mountains of the glen, making it one of the Highlands’ most photogenic short walks.
- Location: Glencoe, Highland region
- Distance / Duration: Various short forest loch walks (1–2 miles)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate (forest trails, some uneven terrain)
- Best time to hike: autumn, the reflections on the loch are stuning
- Parking: Glencoe Lochan Car Park, £3 for all day, £1 for an hour
> How to visit Glencoe
5. Dun Na Cuaiche – Inveraray
Starting from Inveraray Castle, a steady woodland climb leads to a stone tower at 248 m. The reward is a sweeping view over Loch Fyne, the town’s whitewashed waterfront, and the surrounding hills.
The View: Crowned by a stone watchtower built in 1748, Dun Na Cuaiche rewards you with a sweeping panorama over Loch Fyne, the whitewashed town of Inveraray, and the gentle Argyll hills. On a clear day, you can spot the mountains of Cowal and beyond.
- Location: Inveraray, Argyll & Bute
- Distance / Duration: Likely ~2–3 km total (woodland + climb)
- Difficulty: Moderate (woodland tracks and ascent)
- Best time to hike: anytime of the year
- Parking: in Inveraray or at the Castle.
> More things to do near Iveraray
6. Kinnoull Hill – near Perth
This wooded hill sits above the River Tay. A short ascent opens onto panoramic views of Perth, the Ochils, and (on a clear day) the Grampian mountains.
The View: From the summit and its striking 19th-century folly tower, Kinnoull Hill delivers sweeping views across Perth the winding River Tay, and the Ochil Hills. On a clear day the panorama extends to the distant Grampian Mountains and even the North Sea.
- Location: Just east of Perth, near the rivers Tay & Earn
- Distance / Duration: ~few km (ridges & woodland trails)
- Difficulty: Moderate (wooded ascent, open ridge)
- Best time to hike: anytime of the year
- Parking: Kinnoull Car Park, free
> How to visit Perth
7. Stac Pollaidh – Assynt,
A short, rugged climb with one of Scotland’s most dramatic mountain vistas. The well-built path zigzags up through heather and rock to a ridge where jagged sandstone towers overlook Loch Lurgainn and the wild Coigach landscape. A true Highlands icon in a half-day package.
The View: This compact but dramatic peak is one of Scotland’s best. From the main path or the summit ridge, gaze over Loch Lurgainn, the scattered lochans of Coigach, and the isolated silhouettes of Suilven and Cul Mor.
- Location: Assynt, Sutherland, Highlands
- Distance / Duration: ~3.2 km summit ridge (short route)
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (very challenging if you take in the rocky ridges with steep scrambling). The main circuit path is well-built and easy to follow; the optional ridge is airy and exposed, helmets and scrambling experience recommended.
- Best time to hike: spring and summer for the long days
- Parking: Stac Pollaidh Car Park, £6 per day
> How to climb Stac Pollaidh
8. Ben A’an – The Trossachs
Often called “the mountain in miniature,” Ben A’an offers a full-on Highland experience in just a couple of hours. From the summit, Loch Katrine sparkles below, framed by distant peaks. Perfect for an afternoon adventure.
The View:. From its craggy top, the views of Loch Katrine below are stunning. The Arrochar Alps and Ben Venue fill the horizon.
- Location: Near Loch Katrine, within Loch Lomond & Trossachs NP
- Distance / Duration: ~4.5 km return (approx 2 hours)
- Difficulty: Moderate (steep, but short)
- Best time to hike: anytime of the year
- Car Parking: Ben A’an Car Park, £5 for all day
> The best hills for beginners in Scotland
9. Quiraing & Old Man of Storr – Isle of Skye
Two Skye classics, each doable in a half-day. The Quiraing’s otherworldly landslips and rock pinnacles feel like a natural film set, while the Old Man of Storr is a steep but short climb to one of Scotland’s most photographed views across the Sound of Raasay.
The View: Few landscapes are as otherworldly as Skye’s Trotternish Ridge.
The Quiraing is a giant landslip of sheer cliffs, pinnacles, and hidden plateaus—think natural film set.
A short distance south, the Old Man of Storr is Skye’s most iconic rock spire, rising dramatically above the Sound of Raasay with sweeping coastal and mountain vistas.
Location: Isle of Skye, Trotternish Peninsula
Distance / Duration:
• Quiraing loop: ~4–6 km, 1–2 hours
• Old Man of Storr: ~3.8 km return, ~1–1.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (steep sections, uneven path)
Best time to hike: anytime of the year
> Read more – my guide to the Isle of Skye
10. Uath Lochans – Cairngorms National Park
A tranquil forest walk near Kingussie where wooden boardwalks and gentle trails circle hidden lochans.
The View: The short climb to Farleitter Crag gives a secret panorama over the Spey valley and distant Cairngorm mountains.
- Location: Glen Feshie, near Kincraig / Insh, Cairngorms National Park
- Distance / Duration: ~2.4 km (1.5 miles) option; full loop + Farleitter Crag ~5.25 km (3.25 mi) in 1.5–2 hrs
- Difficulty: Moderate (mostly gentle path, some steeper sections toward crag)
- Best time to hike: autumn, the colours of the Cairngorms are just gorgeous
> How to visit the Cairngorms National Park
11. Glenfinnan Viewpoint – Lochaber
This quick climb is pure Scottish magic.
The View: From the viewpoint, you’ll see the graceful Glenfinnan Viaduct curving through the glen, the historic Glenfinnan Monument, and Loch Shiel stretching deep into the mountains. Time it right and you may watch the Jacobite steam train (the “Harry Potter train”) puffing across the viaduct.
- Location: Glenfinnan, Highlands
- Distance / Duration: ~0.5–1 mile to viewpoint
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate (short incline)
- Best time to hike: anytime of the year, but the Jacobite Train is seasonal
- Toilet Facilities: Toilets and café available at the visitor centre.
- Car Parking – the Glenfinnan Car Park (£5, free for NTS members) is very busy when the train is running, so go early or late to miss the crowds, or visit when the train has ended for the season – outside of early April and late October.
12. Dumyat – Ochil Hills
The View: Beloved by Stirling locals for evening hikes and after-work adventures, Dumyat offers far-reaching vistas for relatively little effort. From the summit cairn and trig point, gaze over the Forth Valley, Stirling Castle, and the Wallace Monument, with the Firth of Forth bridges and the Pentland Hills visible on clear days.
- Location: Near Stirling / central Scotland
- Distance / Duration: ~5–7 km, 2–3 hrs (depending on route)
- Difficulty: Moderate (hill path)
- Best time to hike: spring, summer and autumn
- Parking: Sheriffmuir Road car park (free but limited spaces).
> How to climb Dumyat
13. Creag an Tuirc – Balquhidder
A quick but steep woodland path leads to the historic MacLaren clan rallying point. From the top, enjoy beautiful views over Loch Voil and Loch Doine framed by the hills.
The View: This quick climb leads to Creag an Tuirc, the historic rallying point of the MacLaren clan. From the summit cairn you’ll enjoy glorious views over Loch Voil and Loch Doine, with rugged hills rising dramatically on all sides—a perfect snapshot of the southern Highlands.
- Location: Balquhidder, Perth & Kinross / Stirling border
- Distance / Duration: ~1–2 km (brief woodland + climb)
- Difficulty: Moderate (steep woodland ascent)
- Best time to hike: anytime of the year
- Parking: Small car park beside Balquhidder Kirk (free, but limited spaces).
14. Sanna Bay from Portuairk – Ardnamurchan
Few places feel as remote as Ardnamurchan’s western tip. From the hamlet of Portuairk, a gentle coastal path leads to Sanna Bay—white sands, turquoise water, and distant views of the Small Isles.
The View: This gentle walk leads from the tiny crofting village of Portuairk across machair grassland to Sanna Bay, one of Scotland’s most beautiful beaches. Expect vast white sands, turquoise Atlantic waters, and sweeping views toward the Small Isles of Rum, Eigg, and Muck. On a clear day, the Cuillin mountains of Skye complete the horizon.
- Location: Portuairk, Ardnamurchan, west coast Highlands
- Distance / Duration: ~2–3 km return coastal walk
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate (beach paths, some rough sections)
- Best time to hike: summer for gorgeous long beach days
- Parking: Limited roadside parking at Portuairk (please park considerately).
> How to visit Ardnamurchan
15. Arthur’s Seat – Edinburgh
An extinct volcano rising right out of the capital. In under an hour you can stand on its grassy summit and look out across Edinburgh’s spires to the Firth of Forth and, on clear days, the Pentland Hills and beyond.
The View: An extinct volcano rising right out of Scotland’s capital, Arthur’s Seat is one of the most rewarding urban hikes in the world. From the grassy summit you’ll see Edinburgh’s skyline, the Firth of Forth, and on a clear day the Pentland Hills and even the Bass Rock far out to sea.
- Location: Edinburgh city centre, Holyrood Park
- Distance / Duration: ~2.5–3 km, ~1 hour (loop)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate (steep paths, but well maintained)
- Best time to hike: anytime of the year
- Parking: Holyrood Park car parks (Queen’s Drive) – free but can fill quickly.
From city centre volcanoes to quiet lochans and dramatic island cliffs, these 15 walks prove that you don’t need to bag a Munro to experience Scotland’s most spectacular scenery.
Whether you have half a day or just an hour, lace up your boots and set off—Scotland’s greatest views are often closer (and shorter) than you think.
Love from Scotland x
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