Beautifully nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Glen Coe Valley is definitely a place to enjoy beautiful mountain scenery. It is a true paradise for hikers, hill walkers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, where you will find a wide range of trails catering to all abilities. Because there are so few forested sections in the valley, there is rarely a need to climb very high to enjoy the stunning scenery of Glen Coe’s towering mountains and dramatic valleys. Some low-lying trails even have unobstructed views during the entire length of the trail. Overall, it’s our favorite region for hiking in Scotland along with the Isle of Skye. Below we present our guide to the Best hikes and walks to do in Glen Coe with a focus on trails that we believe best maximize the effort-to-reward ratio.
Disclosure: This page (Best Hikes and Walks to Do in Glen Coe) may contain product affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. More details can be found on our disclosure and policies page.
You might also be interested in these pages:
Top Things to See and Do in Glen Coe
Glenfinnan Viaduct and Jacobite Steam Train Travel Guide
Top Things to See and Do on Skye
Skye’s Best Hiking and Walking Trails
Orientation – Where is Glen Coe and How to Get there?
Glen Coe is a valley (glen) of volcanic origin located in the southern Scottish Highlands, just north of the county of Argyll. The Glen It is about a 35 km drive (30 min) to get here from Fort Wiliam. From Oban, it is about a 65km drive (60 min). Getting here from Glasglow or Edinburgh will take a bit longer, roughly 2h and 2h30, respectively.
Not to be confused with the Glen Coe valley, is the village of Glencoe, the glen’s largest settlement (with a population of about 400 inhabitants). Glencoe lies at the northwestern tip of the Glen Coe valley.
The best and easiest way to get to and navigate around Glen Coe is with your own vehicle. For advice and tips on how to drive in Scotland, check out our Scotland Roadtrip Driving Guide.
If you haven’t booked your rental vehicle yet, we highly recommend using Discover Cars to get the best rates on your rental in Scotland.
If you don’t have your vehicle, joining an organized tour might be the best way to see what Glen Coe and the surrounding area have to offer.
Easy Glen Coe Trails
Glen Coe Old Military Road Trail
This trail probably has the best work-to-reward ratio of all the trails listed here. The scenery is stunning before you even reach the trailhead from the parking lot – and it continues to be stunning during the entirety of the trail. The trail runs through the Glen Coe valley floor along the River Coe. It’s a great trail to get a taste of Glen Coe, especially if you are short on time or don’t want to climb difficult trails.
Although the trail also runs parallel to the main road (A82) through Glen Coe, it’s sufficiently below the level of the road so you are likely to forget how close to the road you actually are.
Distance: 3.5 km
Route Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 66 m
Start point: Three Sisters car park
AllTrails rating: (4.4, 48 ratings (2024))
Duration: Most people complete the trail in 45-60 minutes
For more information on this trail, check out our Glen Coe Old Military Road Trail guide.
Not an AllTrails member yet? We highly recommend signing up for either their free or paid membership plans. The free plan allows you to find new trails and plan routes but it can only be used while hiking if you have access to mobile data. The paid membership plan (AllTrails+) allows you to download trail maps for offline use and provides live progress updates and off-route notifications.
If you are still uncertain – you should know that the All Trails mobile application was voted the 2023 iPhone App of the Year by Apple.
Glencoe Lochan
Just north of Glencoe village lies the pleasant Glencoe Lochan Circular Trail, a lovely 2.4 km path that takes you through a relaxing woodland forest and around a beautiful lochan (small loch).
The forest around the lochan has an interesting backstory, as it was man-made in a way. After acquiring the Glencoe Estate in 1895, Donald Alexander Smith (Lord Strathcona) and his wife, Isabella Sophia Hardisty, moved from Canada to Scotland. Soon after their arrival, Isabella became increasingly homesick for her ancestral lands in Canada. In an attempt to abate his wife’s depression, Smith had this forest painstakingly planted, and granted it to her as a private refuge.
If you would like to walk through the trail and the village, there is a longer 4.7 km trail variant (though the village portion of the trail is simply the village sidewalk). Both trails are relatively flat, though appropriate footwear is still recommended for the lochan section.
Parking is available both near the western entrance of the village, just off the main A82 road, and near the start of the Glencoe Lochan Circular Trail.
Distance: 2.4 km
Route Type: Loop
Elevation gain: 56 m
AllTrails rating: (4.5, 495 ratings (2024))
Duration: Most people complete the trail in 30-45 minutes
An Torr and Signal Rock
This a pleasant and easy circular walk (loop) through a forested area of Glen Coe with two sites of interest. The first is Signal Rock, the historic gathering place of Clan MacDonald, and the second is An Torr, a viewpoint from which you can admire the surrounding mountains.
Distance: 2.4 km
Route Type: Loop
Elevation gain: 40 m (cumulative elevation gain of 83 m)
AllTrails rating: (4.3, 114 ratings (2024))
Duration: Most people complete the trail in 30-40 minutes
River Coupall
The River Coupall trail is a shorter version of the popular Lairig Gartain trail described in the moderate trail section further below. It has just over 100m of cumulative elevation gain that is ascended over several small ups and downs during the first portion of the trail.
Distance: 2.4 km
Route Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 20 m (cumulative elevation gain of 111 m)
AllTrails rating: (4.6, 65 ratings (2024))
Duration: Most people complete the trail in 45-60 minutes
Moderate Glen Coe Trails
Lost Valley
Also known as the Hidden Valley trail or Coire Gabhail, this was our favorite trail in Glen Coe – it has a little of everything and something for everyone. There are beautiful forested sections, an open stunning valley surrounded by dramatic peaks, (easy) river crossings, some easy flat and some harder steep sections, and some light scrambling over boulders in certain spots. As a bonus, the trailhead is next to the famous Three Sisters of Glen Coe viewpoint. This trail is also easily combined with the Old Military Road trail described above, as both trails share the same trailhead and endpoint.
Distance: 6.3 km
Route Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 230 m (cumulative elevation gain: 340 m)
Start point: Three sisters car park
AllTrails rating: (4.7, 1264 ratings (2024))
Duration: Most people complete the trail in 2h-2h30
For more information on this trail, check out our Lost Valley trail guide.
Devil’s Staircase
Our second favorite trail in Glen Coe was the Devil’s Staircase. This trail is technically part of the West Highland Way trail (a long-distance walking route through the Highlands), one where you’ll be required to climb 400 m in elevation over a short 2.5 km section of trail. However, despite the intense ascent, the reward at the top is definitely worth the effort. The scenery as seen from the summit is simply stunning, which is why this trail is one of our favourites in the Glencoe area. And like the Glen Coe Old Military trail highlighted above, you have non-stop jaw-dropping views during the entire trail.
Distance: 5.1 km
Route Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 400 m
Start point: Devils Staircase car park
AllTrails rating: (4.5, 103 ratings (2024))
Duration: Most people complete the trail in 2h – 2h30
For more information on this trail, check out our Devil’s Staircase trail guide.
Lairig Gartain
This out-and-back trail is a fairly straightforward one that progressively ascends into the valley between Buachaille Etive Mor and Buachaille Etive Beag as it follows the River Coupall. You can extend the trail by going beyond the turnaround point and entering the scenic and now famous (thanks to James Bond and Skyfall) Glen Etive.
Distance: 9.0 km
Route Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 180 m (cumulative elevation gain of 319 m)
AllTrails rating: (4.6, 242 ratings (2024))
Duration: Most people complete the trail in 2h30 – 3h
Difficult Glen Coe Trails
Buachaille Etive Mor
The iconic Buachaille Etive Mor is one of the highland’s most recognizable peaks in the Scottish Highlands. The trailhead starts across the road from the Devil’s Staircase trail highlighted above. This trail is both long and requires a lot of elevation, and as such should not be taken lightly.
Distance: 6.9 km
Route Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 812 m
AllTrails rating: (4.7, 82 ratings (2024))
Duration: Most people complete the trail in 3h30 – 4h
Pap of Glencoe
The Pap of Glencoe is the cone-shaped peak that can be seen from Glencoe village. Although this trail isn’t particularly long (7km total, out-&-back), it does pack a punch in terms of the elevation gain (700m). Reaching the summit will provide you with regarding views of Loch Leven.
Distance: 7 km
Route Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 700 m
AllTrails rating: (4.5, 547 ratings (2024))
Duration: Most people complete the trail in 2h30 – 3h
Hiking Packing List
All Trails subscription – This comes in really handy for areas with little or no cell reception, as the annual subscription allows you to download trail maps for offline use.
External Battery – If you are using your phone to track your progress along the trail or to help with navigation, you certainly don’t want your phone to die on you. That’s especially true in the unlikely event that you might get hurt or need assistance.
Hiking poles – These can be particularly useful in steep trails or muddy/boggy trail conditions.
Our Glen Coe Trail Picks
If you just have one day in Glencoe, we highly recommend some combination of the Lost Valley Trail, the Old Military Road and the Devil’s Staircase Trail. You could do all three if you don’t mind hiking for 5+ hours.
Alternatively, you could definitely hike a longer and/or more difficult trail instead, but we think that combining some of the shorter and medium-distance trails will offer a more varied experience while exposing you to more varied scenery and landscapes along the way.
If you would like to combine hiking with some more relaxed sightseeing, we recommend checking out our Guide on the Top Things to See and Do in Glen Coe, where we highlight some scenic drives, nearby attractions and towns to visit, and places to eat and enjoy a drink. We also have a separate Guide on the Top Attractions to Visit Between Oban and Glen Coe, which highlights several castles, churches and scenic viewpoints that are just off the road on the drive between Oban and Glen Coe.
When is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Glen Coe?
We generally recommend travelling during shoulder season, the weather is generally pleasant and attractions & trails are less busy. But in the Scottish Highlands, there’s another significant reason to avoid July & August: the midges (see below).
A winter visit can be equally beautiful with the peaks covered in snow, but the weather is even less predictable than usual, driving conditions could potentially be hazardous, and the days are much shorter. Hiking should only be undertaken with the proper gear and/or by experienced winter hikers.
As a result of these considerations, we would suggest that the end of May, early June, September, and early October are the best times of the year to visit Glen Coe.
How to Avoid the Highland Midges
What are midges? They are tiny flies that like mosquitoes, like to bite. Though they are smaller and their individual bites are typically less bothersome than those of mosquitoes, they can more than make up for it by the size of their swarms.
You will typically find midges all over the Scottish highlands, mostly between late May and early September, with July and August being the worst months. They tend to be most active early in the morning and during the early evening, but can be a nuisance at all times of day.
What can you do?
- Buy some smidge. Insect repellant specifically designed for midges.
- Look at the midge forecast and plan your outdoor activities accordingly.
- Pray for some sun. Midges don’t like sunny dry weather.
- Pray for some wind. Because they are so tiny, midges can’t fly in moderate-to-strong winds.
General Glen Coe Hiking Tips
- Best time to visit: we highly recommend shoulder season (May, June, September and early October). The weather will be pleasant, it won’t be as crowded as during the peak summer months, and you will be outside the peak midge period (more on this below). You can check the midge forecast beforehand.
- Come early in the morning if possible, as the trail parking lots can fill up during the day.
- Check the weather before heading out. Our favourite weather app for the area is the Met Office app.
- As this is Scotland, the trails can get boggy and slippery after rain, so do wear appropriate footwear.
- For more information on the West Highland Way trail, check out their website.
- Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash.
- Stick to the designated path to protect the surrounding environment.
Preparing a trip to the Highlands?
You might be interested in these pages:
Top Things to See and Do in Glen Coe
Glenfinnan Viaduct and Jacobite Steam Train Travel Guide
Top Things to See and Do on Skye
Skye’s Best Hiking and Walking Trails
Preparing a trip to Scotland?
You might be interested in these Scotland pages:
10-Day Scotland Roadtrip Itinerary (Edinburgh and Highlands)
Scotland Driving Guide and Tips
7 of the Best Castles to Visit in Scotland
Best Things to See in the Scottish Highlands
Best Hikes to do in the Scottish Highlands
We also highly recommend these guidebooks:
Rick Steves Scotland
Lonely Planet Scotland’s Highlands
Photography Gear
If you like our photography, you might be interested in some of the gear we use to shoot our travel and hiking destinations.
Camera Body – Nikon Z 6ii Fx-series Mirrorless Body
Main Lens – NIKON 24-120mm F/4G ED VR AF-S
Zoom Lens – Sigma 745-306 150-600mm f/5-6.3
Polarizing filters – Urth Circular Polarizing (CPL)
Camera Tripod – K&F Concept 64-inch Camera Tripod
Mini-tripod – Lammcou Flexible Camera Tripod
Camera/hiking backpack – Vanguard Alta Rise 48 Backpack
Universal Travel Adapter – VYLEE Universal International Power Travel Plug
Other Travel Essentials
Travel Insurance
SafetyWing is a travel insurance company that offers comprehensive coverage for travellers. Includes Medical Insurance and Travel Insurance. Primarily geared towards long-term travellers, digital nomads, and expats.
e-Sim cards
Airalo is the world’s first and largest eSIM store with eSIM plans for 200+ countries and regions worldwide. With Airalo eSIMs, travellers can get connected the moment they land at their destination and avoid nasty data roaming charges
eSIMS are a sustainable alternative to single-use SIM cards – they are 100% digital, require less energy to produce and be re-used rather than disposed of.
Car Rentals
Discover Cars is our go-to website for car rentals. We almost always find our preferred rate there.
Transfer from Airport
Welcome Pickups is our favourite private transfer service, which you can pre-book at a fixed price. Currently available in 220 cities all over the world (mostly in Europe, but with several major cities in Asia, the Middle East and the US).
Kiwitaxi is another private transfer service – we haven’t tried it yet, but it’s currently available in a few more countries (102 as of 2024).
Hotels and Accommodations (coming soon)
Photography Prints
If you found this blog useful, you can help support our blog by purchasing low-cost digital prints. Printed physical prints are also available for purchase.
—–
—–
Well, that wraps it up! We hope you enjoyed our Best Hikes and Walks to Do in Glen Coe and that it will prove useful for planning your trip to the beautiful Scottish Highlands.
—–
You might also be interested in these related pages:
