Scottish Highlands Hiking & Walking Tour

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

30s & 40s Adults 30-49

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Teens & 20s Best for ages 16+ (min. age 14)

Families with Kids & Teens Best for ages 7-17 (min. age 4)

6 days

5 nights

Activity Levels 2-4

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We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.

Activity Levels None (Black)

See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.

Luxury Hotels

5 nights, Luxury Hotels

Learn more about where you'll stay.

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Scottish Highlands Hiking & Walking Tour

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

30s & 40s Adults 30-49

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Teens & 20s Best for ages 16+ (min. age 14)

Families with Kids & Teens Best for ages 7-17 (min. age 4)

6 days

5 nights

Activity Levels 2-4

Tooltip Desktop

We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.

Activity Levels None (White)

See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.

Luxury Hotels

5 nights, Luxury Hotels

Learn more about where you'll stay.

2026: Jul-Sep 2027: May-Oct

From $6,199 - $6,899/person

Craggy Coastlines, Wild Peaks & Ancient Castles

Explore Scotland’s iconic castle ruins, dramatic mountain landscapes and sparkling lochs and unwind at elegant abodes. At storied estates and on wild Highland trails, experience Scotland’s grandeur come to life all around you.

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Highlights

  • Discover Cairngorms National Park, a crown jewel of Scotland’s public lands, crossing moors, glens and mist-shrouded mountain terrain
  • Hike Aberdeenshire’s beloved walking hills, including the forested ascents of Clachnaben, and take in the quiet grandeur of Royal Deeside
  • Follow the stomping grounds of Queen Victoria along ages-old footpaths over heather-strewn leas and rolling green hills dotted with castles, bothies and lochs
  • Pause in small villages to connect with locals, perhaps over a spot of tea or dram of Scottish whisky
  • Enjoy fresh seasonal Scottish cuisine, where chefs showcase the best of Perthshire’s land and sea
Scottish Highlands Hiking & Walking Tour map

Scotland

Start Aberdeen

End Edinburgh

Airports & Travel details*

* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

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Itinerary

Wooden  bridge over a small river, leading to a hill

Day 1

Description

Embark on a pleasant woodland walk from Stovehaven, with beautiful harbor views • Walk along the coast and see the formidable ruin of Dunnottar Castle, one of Scotland’s most iconic and picturesque castles and the site of many films • Take in the rugged beauty and quiet grandeur of Royal Deeside before retiring to our elegant baronial retreat.

Accommodations
Meldrum House

(1 night, Luxury Hotel)

Night 1

Meldrum House
Oldmeldrum
Luxury Hotel

This grand 13th-century baronial mansion in the rolling Aberdeenshire countryside offers gracious rooms and a relaxed countryside atmosphere.

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Scotland Bike Tour Edinburgh City

Days 2-3

Description

Hike into the Highlands on one of Aberdeenshire’s most beloved walking hills, Clachnaben, following forest trails that open to wide mountain views • Ascend through pine woodland to the summit and admire 360-degree vistas of rolling glens, moorland and distant peaks • At the Balmoral Castle estate, behold views of sparkling Loch Muick • Stop at Glas-allt-Shiel House, featured in the hit series The Crown as one of the royal family’s summer bothies.

Accommodations
Darroch Learg Hotel

(2 nights, Luxury Hotel)

Nights 2-3

Darroch Learg Hotel
Ballater
Luxury Hotel

Set on a sunny wooded slope of Craigendarroch, creature comforts and serenity are on offer at this family-run hotel.

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Woman with hiking poles, walking on larger boulders next to a mountain

Days 4-6

Description

Follow an ancient path used by cattle-thieving Cateran marauders in the Middle Ages • Straddling the border between Perthshire and Angus, the Cateran Trail is a spectacular walk through a quiet corner of Cairngorms National Park • Explore a Scottish landscape of spittals, moors, hills, heaths, bogs and glens • Take in glorious views of the Grampian Mountains, whose peaks are often shrouded in mist • Climbing through forested slopes and open hillsides, ascend Ben Vrackie, one of the region’s most celebrated summits • Take in sweeping views over Perthshire’s glens, Loch Tummel and the rugged peaks of the Cairngorms • Watch a private demonstration of Highland Games from an athlete and longtime friend.

Accommodations
Pine Trees Hotel

(2 nights, Luxury Hotel)

Nights 4-5

Pine Trees Hotel
Pitlochry
Luxury Hotel

Set in a peaceful wooded setting just outside Pitlochry, this elegant Highland retreat offers contemporary rooms and a serene atmosphere near some of Scotland's most scenic trails.

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Want to learn more about this trip?

Request a Detailed Itinerary! Complete with descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more, it’s the perfect tool to help you choose. You can easily share it with friends too!

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What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

From $6,199/person

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Dates & Prices

Click on dates to see pricing, hotel or itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy, in USD. 

Unplugged

Unplugged dates are perfect for guests who want to ride an acoustic bike.
E-bikes are available to travel companions by request only.

Solo Room Savings

We’ve made it even easier to go solo or enjoy your own space on select dates with reduced private room fees.

Your guest & room selections

1 adult

1 room, 1 bed

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Please note: Trips in 2027 meet in Aberdeen instead of Edinburgh.

Aug 5
Wednesday
Wed
Aug 10
Monday
Mon

Solo Room Savings

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Aug 26
Wednesday
Wed
Aug 31
Monday
Mon

Solo Room Savings

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Aug 31
Monday
Mon
Sep 5
Saturday
Sat

Solo Room Savings

Sold Out
Sep 7
Monday
Mon
Sep 12
Saturday
Sat
Sold Out
Sep 9
Wednesday
Wed
Sep 14
Monday
Mon
Sold Out
Sep 23
Wednesday
Wed
Sep 28
Monday
Mon
Sold Out

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Want to learn more about this trip?

Request a Detailed Itinerary! Complete with descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more, it’s the perfect tool to help you choose. You can easily share it with friends too!

Download & Share

Book with Confidence

Backroads provides flexible booking policies so that you can plan your vacation with complete peace of mind.

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From $6,199/person

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