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

Moffat Independent Hostel

Moffat Independent Hostel Bridge House Well Road Moffat DG10 9JT

Moffat Independent Hostel is a friendly, family run hostel that has been set up with the outdoors enthusiast in mind. Moffat is in the heart of the...

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Helmsdale Lodge Hostel

Located on the main NC500 and Land's End to John o' Groats routes. All rooms en-suite. Helmsdale Lodge Hostel is located in the scenic coastal vill...
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Loch Ness Backpackers Lodge

Sitting next to the Great Glen Way, our customers know us for our warm, friendly welcome, comfortable rooms, great bar with massive range of Scotti...
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Ayres Rock Hostel

Ayres Rock Hostel is set on the beach on the island of Sanday. After a day exploring sit in the hostel conservatory the 7 bed hostel which is accre...
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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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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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Ardtornish Estate Bunkhouse

Situated close to the working hub of our West Highland estate, the bunkhouse has a fun and friendly atmosphere. It operates a minimum 3 night stay...
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Inchnadamph Lodge

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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Gerry's Achnashellach Hostel

Gerry's Hostel is in a fabulous location for the outdoor enthusiast offering excellent walking, climbing, fishing, cycling and golfing. For the mou...
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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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Saddle Mountain Hostel

Welcome to Saddle Mountain Hostel. We're a small and friendly 5 star hostel, located in the village of Invergarry in Scotland's Great Glen. The 20...
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John's Bunkhouse

Opened in 2018, John's Bunkhouse is a stylish, purpose-built hostel. Built on the footprint of a local 'blackhouse', it combines the charm of a tra...
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Moffat Independent Hostel

Moffat Independent Hostel is a friendly, family run hostel that has been set up with the outdoors enthusiast in mind. Moffat is in the heart of the...
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