7 Best Mountain Walks in Scotland to Explore by Campervan

August 24, 2026
Staycation Scotland
Blog

Scotland’s hills have a habit of getting under your skin. You don’t need to be a seasoned Munro-bagger to feel it either — some of the best views in the country come from a couple of hours’ walking, not a full day on the ridge. Whether you fancy an easy family stroll with a big payoff at the top or a proper mountain day to earn some bragging rights, here are seven of our favourite hill walks in Scotland, all within easy reach of a decent car park for your campervan.

1. Conic Hill, Balmaha

Perched right on the Highland Boundary Fault above Loch Lomond, Conic Hill is one of the best short walks in the country for the effort involved. The path climbs through the Balmaha oakwoods before opening onto heather moorland, with the loch’s island-studded waters spreading out below the summit.

Distance: 4km circular, around 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate — a good path with some steps and a short rocky scramble near the top, 350m of ascent
Parking: Balmaha car park in the village centre, right on the banks of Loch Lomond

2. Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh

Proof that you don’t need to leave the city for a proper hill walk. This extinct volcano rises to 251 metres right in the middle of Edinburgh, and the view from the top — the Old Town on one side, the Firth of Forth on the other — is hard to beat for the time invested.

Distance: Around 4km return depending on your route, roughly 1-1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate — well-worn paths throughout, with one steeper pull near the summit
Parking: Free car parks around Holyrood Park off Queen’s Drive, though they fill up fast on sunny weekends

3. Ben A’an, The Trossachs

Often called “the mountain in miniature,” Ben A’an packs a big view into a small package above Loch Katrine. The rebuilt path climbs steadily through woodland before a short rocky finish onto a summit that punches well above its modest height.

Distance: 3.7km circular, around 2-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate — a steep but good path, 340m of ascent
Parking: Ben A’an’s own car park (charges apply) on the A821 by Loch Achray, with a backup car park 450m away if it’s full

4. Stac Pollaidh, Assynt

Few hills in Scotland look as dramatic as Stac Pollaidh’s jagged, pinnacled ridge in the wilds of Assynt. You don’t need to tackle the exposed scrambling to the true summit to get the reward — the main circuit alone delivers some of the best views in the Northwest Highlands.

Distance: 4.5km circular, around 2-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to hard — a good pitched path on the way up, boggier and more eroded on the return, 510m of ascent
Parking: Stac Pollaidh car park with toilets (charges apply)

5. Schiehallion, Perthshire

Famous for helping an 18th-century astronomer work out the weight of the Earth, Schiehallion’s near-perfect conical shape makes it one of Scotland’s most recognisable hills. A well-built path leads most of the way, with a rougher, boulder-strewn final push to the summit ridge.

Distance: 10km return, around 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Hard — excellent path for most of the route, but pathless and awkward underfoot near the top, 731m of ascent
Parking: Braes of Foss car park (charges apply), with an overspill car park half a kilometre further along the road

6. Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond

The most southerly Munro in Scotland, and often the first one people ever climb. The classic route from Rowardennan is a proper mountain day, with sweeping views back over Loch Lomond and, on a clear day, as far as the Highlands to the north and the Lowlands to the south.

Distance: 12km circular, around 4.5-5.5 hours
Difficulty: Hard — a clear path throughout, rockier and boggier on the alternative return route, 990m of ascent
Parking: Rowardennan car park on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond (charges apply)

7. Ben Nevis, Fort William

The big one. At 1,345 metres, Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK, and the Mountain Track from Glen Nevis is a serious full-day undertaking rather than a casual walk. Save it for a clear, settled day, pack proper kit, and give yourself plenty of time — the summit plateau has claimed more than a few unprepared walkers in poor visibility.

Distance: 17km return, around 7-9 hours
Difficulty: Hard — a well-made but relentlessly steep path, rough and stony higher up, 1,352m of ascent
Parking: Glen Nevis Visitor Centre car park (charges apply), a good spot to check conditions before you set off

Tips for hillwalking in Scotland by campervan

Start early. Hill car parks are small and popular ones fill by mid-morning in summer — an early start also means a calmer drive back to your pitch for the night.
Check the weather before you commit. Scottish hill weather changes fast, and a summit that’s clear at the car park can be in cloud an hour later.
Pack proper footwear and layers, even for the “easy” hills on this list — paths get wet and exposed ridgelines catch the wind.
Take a map and know your route, especially for Schiehallion, Ben Lomond and Ben Nevis, where paths become faint or disappear near the top.
Leave your plans with someone and let them know when you’re back down, particularly for the longer routes.

Fancy ticking a few of these off? Explore our range of campervans for hire and start planning your own hillwalking road trip around Scotland.