NC500 Hiking Guide: Best Walks and Hikes Along the Route
Discover the best walks and hikes along the NC500 — from easy coastal strolls to challenging mountain climbs, with routes for all abilities.
Walking on the NC500
The North Coast 500 is first and foremost a driving route, but some of the most memorable experiences come when you step out of the car. The Highlands of northern Scotland offer walking for every ability, from flat coastal strolls to serious mountain ascents. Even if you only manage a couple of short walks, they’ll give you a connection to the landscape that you simply can’t get through a windscreen.
Easy Walks (Under 2 Hours)
Duncansby Stacks, Caithness — A flat, easy walk of about 2 miles return from the car park at Duncansby Head to the spectacular sea stacks. The path follows the cliff edge with views of nesting seabirds and churning sea below. Allow about an hour, and stay back from the unfenced cliff edges.
Knockan Crag, Assynt — This short geological trail (1-2 miles) explains how the oldest rocks in Europe ended up on top of younger ones. Interpretive boards make it accessible and interesting even for non-geologists. The views across Assynt to Suilven and Cul Mor are outstanding.
Corrieshalloch Gorge, near Ullapool — A short walk through woodland leads to a Victorian suspension bridge over a 60-metre gorge with a roaring waterfall. The path is well-maintained and accessible. It takes about 30 minutes and is genuinely dramatic.
Faraid Head, Durness — A beautiful walk of around 3 miles return from Balnakeil Beach to a headland with clifftop views, military ruins, and a chance of spotting puffins in summer. The path crosses dunes and machair, and the beach at the start is stunning.
Moderate Walks (2-4 Hours)
Stac Pollaidh, Assynt — One of the most popular hill walks on the NC500. The path climbs steeply to a col below the summit ridge, gaining about 500 metres in 2.5 miles. The views from the col are extraordinary, encompassing Suilven, Cul Mor, and dozens of lochs. The summit ridge is a scramble and not for the faint-hearted, but the col viewpoint is rewarding enough for most walkers. Allow 2-3 hours return.
Old Man of Stoer, Assynt — A 4-mile round trip from the lighthouse at Stoer Head to the Old Man of Stoer, a dramatic 60-metre sea stack. The coastal path crosses moorland and clifftops with expansive ocean views. Relatively flat but exposed to wind and weather. Allow 2-3 hours.
Sandwood Bay, Sutherland — A 8-mile return walk from the car park at Blairmore to one of Britain’s most remote and beautiful beaches. The path is flat, crossing open moorland, but the distance makes it a half-day commitment. The beach itself — a mile of pink sand backed by dunes and topped by a sea stack — is magnificent. Allow 4-5 hours for the round trip with time on the beach.
Ben Loyal, Tongue — The “Queen of Scottish Mountains” offers a moderate hill walk with multiple summit tops. The most common route from Ribigill farm is about 8 miles and gains roughly 750 metres. The views from the summit over the Kyle of Tongue and across to Orkney are exceptional. Allow 5-6 hours.
Challenging Hikes (Full Day)
Suilven, Assynt — Suilven is one of the most iconic mountains in Scotland, rising like a fortress from a plateau of lochs and moorland. The standard route from Inverkirkaig is about 13 miles return with 730 metres of ascent. The walk in is long but relatively flat; the final ascent up the steep eastern end requires confidence on rough, steep ground. Allow 7-9 hours and carry a map and compass — navigation is tricky in poor visibility.
Ben More Assynt and Conival — The two highest peaks in Sutherland, linked by a high ridge. Starting from Inchnadamph, the route covers about 12 miles with 1100 metres of ascent. This is serious mountain walking requiring navigation skills, proper equipment, and reasonable fitness. The geology is fascinating, crossing some of the oldest rocks in the world. Allow a full day of 7-9 hours.
Beinn Eighe, Torridon — The mountain above Torridon offers several routes, from the straightforward path around Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair to the full ridge traverse. Even the shorter route rewards you with views of a spectacular triple buttress reflected in a mountain loch. The full ridge is a challenging scramble for experienced hillwalkers only. Allow 5-8 hours depending on your route.
Practical Hiking Tips
Always check the weather forecast before heading out — conditions in the Scottish Highlands can change rapidly, and what starts as a sunny morning can turn to driving rain and low cloud within an hour. Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) provides detailed forecasts for the northwest Highlands.
Wear proper walking boots with ankle support and good grip. Even on easy walks, the ground can be wet, boggy, and uneven. Carry waterproofs, warm layers, food, water, and a fully charged phone. On longer walks, take a map and compass and know how to use them — mobile signal is absent on most Highland hills.
Between late May and September, midges can make low-level walks miserable on calm, damp days. Carry repellent and a head net. Walking at higher elevations or in breezy conditions usually avoids the worst of them.
Scotland’s right to roam gives you access to most land, but between August and October, deer stalking takes place on many estates. Check with local estates or the Heading for the Scottish Hills website to avoid disturbing stalks. During lambing season in April and May, keep dogs on leads and avoid walking through fields with sheep.