Walking Hostels in Scotland

Some of the Best Hostels for Walkers in Scotland

From the soaring peaks of the Cairngorms, to the dramatic wave-battered cliffs of the West Coast and the still lochs and barren moors of the Highlands, Scotland is a staggeringly beautiful place. And that’s precisely what attracts so many walkers!

Unsurprisingly, then, given the sheer number of people setting out on foot across the countryside, backpacking hostels in Scotland could hardly be better suited to walkers’ needs.

Many Scottish hostels are in remote, out of the way destinations. After a hard day’s hiking, a kitchen, lounge area and a warm soft bed can come in handy – particularly if the weather’s closing in!

And given the social environment you get in walking hostels, you’re more than likely to meet a fair few other people fresh from the trail. Sitting round a fire (a little footsore, perhaps), exchanging tips and stories, can be the perfect way to end a perfect day.

Edinburgh

But you don’t have to go miles off the beaten track to see the best scenery the country has to offer. Edinburgh, for instance, in spite of being a busy, bustling city, is laced with vivid strips of green open spaces and a number of fine parks.

Just outside the city, Holyrood Park – the best of these by far, and a magnet for walkers in Edinburgh – stretches away. Rising up to lofty Arthur’s Seat, the park is dotted with lochs and glens, while Salisbury Crags are popular amongst climbers.

Hostels in Edinburgh are excellent, too, with cheap prices to match their range of facilities. Castle Rock Backpackers boasts fantastic views of Edinburgh Castle; the larger Smart City Hostels Edinburgh (just off the Royal Mile) has a café and bar; while High Street Hostel is even carbon neutral!

The West Highland Way

The West Highland Way is one of the most popular routes in the whole of Scotland. Running from Glasgow to Fort William, right the way along its 152km length, it passes some of the most iconic and breathtaking Scottish landscapes.

There are a range of excellent Glasgow hostels like Euro Hostel, Beersbridge Lodge (more of a guesthouse) and Glasgow Youth Hostel, where you can spend a night or two’s sightseeing in the city before hitting the road.

Although it’s the preferred way of doing it for many, the West Highland Way doesn’t have to be done in one go (of generally five to eight days). You can also stay at one of the hostels along the way, and break the route down into more manageable segments.

Glencoe Hostel (in Glencoe), Glen Nevis Hostel (Glen Nevis), Rowardennan Hostel (in Loch Lomond) are all tailor-made for those walking all, or just part of the route, and are amongst the most spectacularly located hostels to be found anywhere in the world.

For a small town, meanwhile, Fort William has some great budget accommodation. Chase the Wild Goose Hostel, Fort William Backpackers, and the Smiddy Bunkhouse & Blacksmiths Backpackers Hostel, are all fantastic places to stay and rest up after a long, hard few day’s walking!

And when it comes to walking in Scotland, the West Highland Way is really only just the beginning. The entire country is laced with plenty of other great walks – and great hostels for walkers – it’s just a matter of strapping on your walking boots and setting off.