|
Although Scotland is best known for its
mountain hikes, there are also a number
of walks that are extremely popular as
well, the main two being the West
Highland Way that runs between the north
side of Glasgow and Fort William in the
Highlands, 96 miles, and the Southern
Upland Way that runs from the southwest
coast to the southeast coast, 212
miles.
The longer routes can be done in
sections. There are a large number of
other official walking routes throughout
the country. Many people and clubs try to
do a new route, or section of a route, as
often as possible, instead of bagging a
mountain, they claim a trail. A good
fairly inexpensive hobby that keeps you
fit.
Also, you will learn all about
wildlife, see amazing scenery, and my
favourite, view country estates with
their large houses in carefully planned
grounds with large trees, some native
trees, and many imported from all over
the world by explorers from the 1800s.
You do not need to travel abroad to see
exotic trees, they are all here in our
country estates.
Image of
Baragany Estate Trees & Plants
many of which were imported in the
1800s.
Listed below are some of the most
popular routes with links to information,
photos and reviews where possible. There
is also an interactive map showing all
the routes. View
Map.
|
West Highland
Way Glasgow to Fort William
96 miles
The terrain ranges from lowland
moors, dense woodland and rolling
hills, to high mountainous regions
in the Scottish Highlands. These
environments provide habitats for a
diverse range of wildlife species,
both flora and fauna. The route has
many campsites, bunkhouses, hostels
and B&Bs. The walk normally
takes about 7 days. This is
probably the most desired route in
Scotland to accomplish.
Map. Reviews.
www.west-highland-way.co.uk
Photo
Tours under User Reports
|
|
Southern Upland
Way Scotland southwest coast
to southeast coast, 212 miles
The Southern Upland Way is
Britain's first official coast to
coast long distance foot-path. It
runs 212 miles (340 km) from
Portpatrick on the south-west coast
of Scotland to Cockburnspath on the
eastern seaboard. It offers superb
and varied walking country, still
undiscovered by many enthusiasts.
The official website lists the
different sections and gives
information on accommodation and
watering holes in each section. The
walk normally takes between 10 and
20 days.
Map. Reviews.
www.southernuplandway.gov.uk
Photo
Tours under User Reports
|
|
Walkinghlands a list of
areas throughout Scotland with many
walks in each
Walkinghlands is an in depth guide
to walking all over Scotland. Each
area has a number of walks listed.
User Reports with each walk
normally give multiple images and
text to describe the walk.
www.walkhighlands.co.uk/#walks
|
|
Ayrshire
Walking a list of walks in
Ayrshire, southwest Scotland
Ayrshire Walking lists a number of
walks throughout Ayrshire with
large images and directions with
each. The walks include: coastal,
hills & lochs, islands and
country estates.
www.ayrshirescotland.com/ayrshire-walking
|
Things to look out for:
If a walk should take you high into
hills, pay attention to the route so if
clouds roll in you will know where you
are going or can backtrack to lower
ground safely.
Adders are small venomous snakes, up
to 2 feet in length, found in the UK
countryside from March to October, they
hibernate underground in winter. These
are the only poisonous snakes in the UK,
recognizable by the dark zig zag pattern
down their back. They vary in colour from
the most common brown to reddish, grey
and black. They are not aggressive and
nobody has died from an adder bite for
over 20 years. Most people bitten by
adders have normally been tying to handle
them. Hiking boots with thick socks or
walking trousers are normally enough to
prevent a bite should you tred on one.
More
Information & Images.
|
