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All-Women Hiking Adventure in the Scottish Highlands

Scotland is an undisputed paradise for hiking. The crisp air in the mountains, atmospheric villages, and superb hikes—these are the main ingredients which will make this 8-day all-women hiking adventure unforgettable! Every detail of this journey has been carefully crafted to create a total immersion into the raw, untamed beauty of Scotland. We will be a team of strong like-minded women who will spend a week in the quiet magic of the Scottish Highlands—we’ll go on challenging hikes, we will taste plenty of local dishes, and we’ll stay at cute inns and hotels. You won’t just return home with a full camera roll, but also with a deep appreciation for Scotland’s wild beauty and very likely new friends!

Adventure highlights

  • Stay at a 15th-century castle hotel
    Yes, you read it right—we’ll feast and sleep in a 15th-century castle luxe hotel, like the queens we are
  • Hike to the Old Man of Storr
    It’d be a shame to miss one of Scottish Highlands’ absolute highlights, so get ready for an awe-inspiring hike
  • Carefree & all-inclusive
    Where to eat, where to go, how to reach the trailheads—forget about all that, this adventure is all inclusive with nothing to worry about

Itinerary

Join us for an epic adventure into the unspoiled wild of the North West Highlands with this all-women hiking trip to Scotland! Over 8 days, we’ll get to experience challenging hikes in varied landscapes, including rocky coastlines, secluded mountains, gorgeous lakes, and much more. This is the perfect blend of culture, food, adventure, historic castles, and more. Accommodation is included as well as all meals, luggage transfers, and transfers during the tour, making this adventure totally carefree.

  • Today is all about arriving in Edinburgh. We’ll meet up as a group at 7pm for orientation and a welcome dinner, but until then, you’re free to explore the city on your own! Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since the 15th century. Gaining UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1995, Old Town and New Town are preserved architectural windows to a world dating back to 1130 AD.

    Step back nearly 900 years and stroll the historic streets of Old Town! This area of Edinburgh has preserved much of the medieval street layout and buildings. After you’ve explored all of the narrow alleys and cobblestone walkways, make your way through Princes Street Gardens for an iconic view of Edinburgh Castle.

    Meals: Dinner
    Accommodation: Centrally located Edinburgh Hotel

    Charming Edinburgh skyline
  • After breakfast in Edinburgh, we’ll hop on the train and travel 3.5 hours through the Scottish countryside and Cairngorms National Park to Inverness. We’ll then head off into the North-West Highlands in our van (one-hour ride). This area remains an unspoiled and rarely visited area of Scotland. During our time hiking in the Scottish Highlands, we’ll explore landscapes that hardly see much human traffic.

    We won’t spend the entire day on our bums! Upon arrival, we’ll stretch our legs on our first hike in Scotland by walking along a beautiful loch with views of the Torridon Mountains and ending next to a rushing waterfall.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    Hiking: 4.5 miles / 7.2 km, 3 hours
    Elevation gain: 575 ft / 175 m
    Accommodation: Inn in Torridon

    Waterfall in the Scottish Highlands
  • After fueling up with a rib-sticking Scottish-style breakfast, our hiking journey today is the Corbett peak of Meall a’Ghiubhais, standing between 2,500-3,000 ft (760-915 m). We begin with a heart-pounding ascent from the breathtaking shores of Loch Maree, renowned as the crown jewel among Scotland’s lochs. Following the well-marked and rocky Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail we will push our boundaries as we venture off the trail to continue our hike and scramble toward the summit. Every step of our hike today is a buns-burning celebration of the untamed beauty that Scotland has to offer.

    After a well-deserved trail lunch perched on the summit, surrounded with views of the tiny wooded islands dotting Loch Maree below, we’ll take in the full beauty of the Northwest Highlands from the oldest Nature Reserve in Scotland.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    Hiking: 5.8 miles / km, 7-8 hours
    Elevation gain: 3,011 ft / 918 m
    Accommodation: Inn in Torridon

    Gorgeous lake views of Scottish Highlands
  • After breakfast, we’ll pack up and depart our cozy Torridon Inn. We’ll transfer further north to the sparsely populated area of Assynt, known for its distinctive mountains which seem to rise straight out from the landscape. This area is home to the iconic “cnoc and lochan” scenery. We’ll hike and scramble our way up the classic peak of Cul Mor to catch views of the nearby mountains and lochs. We’ll make our way towards the dramatic outline of Cul Mor while hiking through some boggy sections of the trail and a short boulder field.

    Near the summit, you’ll have the option of taking the shortest path and scrambling your way to the summit. If scrambling isn’t your cup of tea, you can easily opt to traverse around the wide, Sron Gharbh ridgeline. Once we all reach the summit, we’ll have views of multiple lochs in the distance, dramatic mountain outlines, and nothing but Mother Nature’s beauty for as far as our eyes can see. Still looking for more? Hike up the satellite peak, Creag nan Calman, from the saddle between the two mountains and bag two peaks in one day!

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    Hiking: 8.5 miles / 13.7 km, 4-4.5 hours
    Elevation gain: 1,900 ft / 580 m
    Accommodation: Inn in Ullapool

    Summit in the Scottish Highlands
  • We’ll give our hiking legs a little break today as we explore the rugged coastline that is so typical of the North-West Scottish Highlands. Our coastal hike explores this wild landscape and leads us to a clifftop viewpoint to see an imposing 200-ft rocky tower called the Old Man of Storr. We’ll look for rock climbers ascending the vertical tower as the ocean crashes below. Because views are much better with food, we’ll enjoy savory pies for lunch made in a local village along the coastline with unobstructed views of the Atlantic. Nearby, we’ll visit the Storr Head Lighthouse, built in 1870, as one of 45 crucial lighthouses in Scotland to protect shipping.

    Afterwards, we’ll begin our slow journey to the nearby villages where traffic jams are the equivalent of sheep crossings. You’ll have the opportunity to tour and shop at a local pottery studio with an international reputation for innovation and quality. Back in Ullapool, we have built in 1-2 hours of free time for you to explore the seaside town and shop locally made goods/souvenirs. Wander the quaint streets, check out the marina, savor a drink from a local pub, or simply relax by the water.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    Hiking: 4.5 miles / 7.2 km, 2.5-3.5 hours
    Elevation gain: Minimal
    Accommodation: Inn in Ullapool

    Woman hiking on the way to the Old Man of Storr
  • After a hearty breakfast, we’ll head north into the rugged landscape of the Assynt region of the Scottish Islands. Our goal today is to summit a stunning trio of peaks on Quinag. It’s a predominately uphill hike as we ascend the first of 3 Corbetts (Scottish mountains between 2,500 ft and 3,000 ft). We’ll hike up boulder fields, along ridge lines and scramble our way to the first summit!

    We’ll be rewarded with views of thousands of tiny scattered lochs in the distant horizon. From the first summit, we’ll take a gradual down and uphill hike to the remaining 2 summits. On the way back to our Inn, we stop to see the ruins of Ardvreck Castle dating back to the 16th century.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    Hiking: 8.5-9 miles / 13.7-14.5 km, 7.5-8.5 hours
    Elevation gain: 1,950 ft / 594 m
    Accommodation: Inn in Ullapool

    Ardvreck castle
  • We’ll trade our cozy inn for a 15th-century castle hotel tonight! Along the drive to our castle hotel, we’ll stretch our legs on a relaxed hike to the summit of Ben Bhraggie. Here, we’ll be able to see the east and west coasts of Scotland from one place! The controversial, 100′ tall Duke of Sutherland Monument marks the summit of Ben Bhraggie.

    Upon arrival at our castle, you’ll be able to explore the nearby beach or step back in time to the 15th century. Inside, explore the labyrinth of historical rooms and passageways. Walk through the gardens to the on-site distillery specializing in whisky and gin. In the evening, we’ll feast like queens in our castle restaurant featuring traditional meals made of locally sourced ingredients.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    Hiking: 6 miles / 9.7 km, 3.5-4.5 hours
    Elevation gain: 1,312 ft / 400 m
    Accommodation: 15th-century castle hotel

    Castle in the Scottish Highlands
  • After breakfast in our castle digs, we’ll load up and head to the Inverness Train Station. We’ll hop on the train back to Edinburgh and say goodbye to the Scottish countryside. You will be with your group up until our arrival at Waverly Station in Edinburgh. Upon arrival in Edinburgh, you can easily catch the tram taking you to the airport or to the city center if you are staying another night in Edinburgh. You can plan to fly out of Edinburgh anytime after 6pm or arrange for an Edinburgh hotel stay on your own.

    Meals: Breakfast and lunch

    Victoria Street in Edinburgh
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Meet your guide

Explorer Chick
5.00
Explorer Chick
Explorer Chick exists to change lives. They just so happen to do it through women’s adventure travel with their supportive community in the most beautiful places on earth. Since 2014, they've been creating action-packed, bucket-list experiences that feel like secret passageways beyond all the typical tourist traps. Get ready to show up all in with unwavering support of others, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by incredible women who believe in you. Every itinerary, every destination, every experience, every detail, every safe space—curated solely and intentionally for the benefit of women. Welcome to adventure travel run by women, for women.
5.00(2 reviews)
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Pat Zimnie

Had an amazing time with a group of wonderful ladies. Janie our guide was fabulous and handle everything for us. I found it to be PMA (positive mental attitude) experience. I have my 4th trip already scheduled and I am looking at another trip this coming spring. Thank you EC!

S
Stephanie Gage

Explorer Chick is a gem of a company. If you’re looking for adventure in your life and don’t know where to start, please book a trip. You’ll be supported by kind, like-minded women and the guides serve as your outdoor liaisons, cooks, drivers, planners and friends. I’ve been on several trips and never regretted it. The trips have always been wonderful.

Show all reviews
5.00(2 reviews)
P
Pat Zimnie

Had an amazing time with a group of wonderful ladies. Janie our guide was fabulous and handle everything for us. I found it to be PMA (positive mental attitude) experience. I have my 4th trip already scheduled and I am looking at another trip this coming spring. Thank you EC!

S
Stephanie Gage

Explorer Chick is a gem of a company. If you’re looking for adventure in your life and don’t know where to start, please book a trip. You’ll be supported by kind, like-minded women and the guides serve as your outdoor liaisons, cooks, drivers, planners and friends. I’ve been on several trips and never regretted it. The trips have always been wonderful.

Things to know

  • What you get on this adventure:

      • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • 8-day Scotland Highlands hiking tour
      • Accommodation for 7 nights
        • 1 night at centrally located Edinburgh hotel
        • 2 nights at an inn in Torridon
        • 3 nights at an inn in Ullapool
        • 1 night at a 15th-century castle luxury hotel
      • Gratuities for all excursions, local guides, and meals
      • All activities and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary
      • All meals as indicated in the itinerary (7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners)
      • Detailed travel guide with everything you need to know for the trip

    What’s not included:

      • Airfare to Scotland
      • Airport transfers
      • Accommodation prior to and after the trip
      • Alcoholic beverages
      • Meals not listed in the itinerary
      • Costs for additional activities
      • Travel and medical insurance — optional
      • Guide gratuities (10-20% recommended)
  • In order to join this Scotland Highlands hiking tour, excellent fitness is a must. You will be hiking on rough terrain including wet and boggy trails, loose scree, and rock, scrambling in all weather conditions. You’ll be hiking along exposed ridge lines with elevation gains of up to 3,011 ft (918 m) in a single day. You will be hiking for 6 days in a row and the most you’ll hike within a day is 9 miles (14.5 km).

    You can find day-by-day distances and elevation gains in the itinerary. Please consider your ability to meet those physical requirements very seriously, it’s for the safety of both you and your group!

    For more hiking adventures in Scotland, click here!

  • In general, the best hiking gear is often what you already own and hike in—we’re thinking of your trusty, broken-in hiking boots or the quick-dry workout t-shirt you’ve owned since 2012. But, in case you’re looking for guidance and a good overview of what you’ll need for this Scotland Highlands hiking tour, here’s a list!

    Clothing & footwear

      • Layers
      • Sturdy hiking boots — waterproof
      • Thermal underwear — wool or synthetic
      • T-shirt — baselayer (wool or synthetic)
      • Long sleeves — baselayer (wool or synthetic)
      • Insulating mid layer — light wool or fleece sweater
      • Warm jacket / sweater 3rd Layer — wool or fleece
      • Puffy jacket
      • Hiking pants — strong, light, and quick drying
      • Warm socks
      • Warm hat
      • Pajamas
      • Rain gear — jacket and pants (waterproof, windproof, and breathable, absolutely mandatory!)
      • A mix of nice and casual clothes for Edinburgh, dining in our Luxury Castle, and out on the towns in the Northwest Highlands

    Personal items and gear

      • Passport, airplane tickets, money
      • Passport protector — waterproof
      • Trekking Poles
      • Gaiters
      • Personal medications
      • Personal first aid kit
      • Blister Care (Leukotape)
      • Antidiarrheal and anti-inflammatory medications
      • Toiletries — toothbrush, toothpaste, tampons/pads, shampoo/conditioner, sunscreen
      • Glasses / contacts / contact solution
      • Sunglasses
      • Health insurance card/ID
      • 2L of water holding capacity (if you bring a water bladder, you must also bring a 1L water bottle for hiking)
      • Headlamp and spare batteries
      • 25-35L daypack
      • Waterproof daypack cover
      • Dry bag for electronics and clothing while hiking

     

  • Group sizes and pricing

      • For this Scotland Highlands hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
      • It takes a minimum of 5 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
      • The tour is bookable up to 84 prior to the departure date. Trip departure is confirmed at the latest 90 days prior to the departure date.

    Scotland Highlands hiking tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements

      • If you are older than 21, you’re good to go.
  • The starting point of your Scotland Highlands hiking tour is Edinburgh. To get there, most people fly into Edinburgh Airport (EDI). From there, you can take a shuttle service or public transport to reach Edinburgh, which is where you will meet your guide at 7pm for orientation and a welcome dinner.

    Make sure to either arrive in Edinburgh on time to make the 7pm dinner, or maybe fly in a day or two earlier to explore the city (accommodation for these days is not included in the tour).

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

    Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

    Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

     

  • Deposits
    You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

    Cancellations

    Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

    Basic

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Flexible

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Super Flexible

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  • 57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.
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