The Easy Hikes and Coastal Gems of The NC500
We get it, you’ve already mastered the art of the North Coast 500 route – you’ve successfully navigated a passing place standoff, secured the best lochside picnic spot, and avoided the midges (mostly!). But now, you hear the call of the wild – that nagging feeling that you should actually stretch your legs and experience the Highlands on foot!
Scotland’s North Coast 500 road trip isn’t just for mountaineering masochists, however – it is brimming with beautiful, accessible, and deeply rewarding coastal walks and gentle hikes that let you soak up the scenery without needing an oxygen tank, crampons or ropes.
We’re here to liberate you from the tyranny of the “epic” summit. This is your guide to the best easy-going trails – for the casual explorer, the family with small legs, or the tourist who just wants a great photo without risking a sprained ankle! Think of these as the Scottish small plates of hiking: sumptuous, straightforward, and deeply satisfying!
Ready? Let’s go.
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
We use the below booking platforms to plan our trips. We hope you find them useful too!
Section 1: The Northern Landmarks (Headlands and Hideaways)
The far north and northwest offer some of the most dramatic scenery, but you don’t have to climb a mountain to appreciate it.
Smoo Cave, Durness
Smoo Cave is not technically a “hike,” but a necessary stop that involves a gentle descent to a natural wonder. It’s a perfect example of high reward for minimal effort!
The name Smoo comes from the Norse word smuga, meaning ‘hiding-place’ or ‘hole.’
- The Walk: A short, well-maintained path and wooden steps lead down into a massive limestone sea cave. Inside, a cascading waterfall plunges into the cavern’s depths. It’s truly spectacular!
- Why it’s Easy: The walk from the car park takes about 5 minutes. The steps are easy to navigate for most fitness levels, though they can be slippery when wet.
- Local Tip: According to legend, the cave has been favoured by all kinds of unsavoury characters – from highwaymen and smugglers to The Devil himself!
Dunnet Head Lighthouse Circuit
Dunnet Head is the most northerly point of the British mainland. It’s wild, windy, and offers mind-blowing views across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands.
- The Walk: Park near the iconic white lighthouse and take the wide, grassy track that circles the clifftops. The path is primarily flat and well-defined, winding past former military bunkers and offering panoramic photo opportunities.
- Why it’s Easy: No significant elevation gain. The main challenge is the wind! Stay well away from the cliff edges, as the drops are sheer.
- Local Tip: Keep an eye out for puffins, guillemots, and other seabirds nesting in the cliffs during spring and summer – you’ll truly feel on the edge of the world.
In Need of a Trusty Highland Steed?
Section 2: West Coast Wonders (Sand and Solitude)
The West Coast is famous for its isolated sandy beaches – these walks are less about climbing and more about meditative rambling!
Achmelvich Beach/Old Man of Stoer
Achmelvich is often cited as one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland, boasting white sands and Caribbean-blue water (though the temperature is decidedly more Scottish!)
- The Walk: A stunning, simple coastal wander. Start on the beach itself for a barefoot ramble. For a slight extension, follow the coastal path north around the headland.
- An Optional Challenge: If you’re up for a slightly longer coastal adventure, drive north from Achmelvich to the Stoer Lighthouse car park. From here, a 3-mile (return) walk along a clear path takes you to a viewpoint overlooking the Old Man of Stoer, a magnificent 60-metre-high sea stack. The path is uneven but relatively flat; just be prepared for muddy patches!
- Why it’s Easy: The beach itself is effortless. The Stoer walk is easy to moderate and doesn’t require technical skill, just decent footwear and a windbreaker.
More From The NC500!
Section 3: East Coast Gems (Fairies and Falls)
The Fairy Glen, Rosemarkie (Black Isle)
Okay, this one is technically just off the NC500 route (near Inverness), but it’s a necessary detour for anyone starting or finishing the route who wants a dose of woodland whimsy!
The Walk: A short, enchanting walk through a wooded gorge. The path follows a stream, crossing small wooden bridges and passing two beautiful waterfalls, known locally as the ‘money falls’ (where visitors place coins in the mossy pools for luck).
Why it’s Easy: It’s a well-trodden, relatively flat loop. It feels completely immersive and ancient, but the path is very accessible.
Local Tip: This spot is said to be the home of fairies. Remember to leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photographs, lest you offend the wee folk!
Section 4: Lochside Classics (Highlands and History)
Some of the most iconic walks are surprisingly manageable, offering vast mountain views without the ascent.
Loch Maree and Victoria Falls
Loch Maree is often hailed as the most beautiful loch in Scotland. Ringed by pine forests and guarded by the towering Slioch mountain, it is a magnificent sight.
- The Walk: Near the main A832 road on the south side of the loch, you can find the car park for Victoria Falls. A short, flat path leads to a wooden viewing platform with a clear view of the falls cascading down the hillside. For a more substantial, but still gentle, walk, there are various marked, easy trails through the surrounding Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve that hug the loch shore.
- Why it’s Easy: The falls are a few hundred yards from the car park. The lochside trails are mostly level and well-signposted.
- Factual Check: The falls were renamed in 1877 after Queen Victoria visited and was so impressed that she ordered the construction of a small footbridge!
Eilean Donan Castle Viewpoint Walk
While Eilean Donan isn’t strictly on the NC500, most drivers include this iconic castle on their wider Highland itinerary. Instead of just taking the carpark photo, take a walk for a better perspective!
- The Walk: From the central castle car park, you can cross the road and take a small track that leads up a low hill behind the village of Dornie. It’s a short, gentle climb that offers a spectacular, elevated view of the castle, the three surrounding lochs (Loch Duich, Loch Long, and Loch Alsh), and the mountains beyond.
- Why it’s Easy: It’s a 15-minute gentle slope: the path is clear, though it can be muddy in the rain. This view is arguably better than the one next to the castle, as it captures the entire scene and the landscape’s drama!
Your Gentle Hiking Toolkit: Essential Gear
For these easy walks, you don’t need crampons or an ice axe, but a few basics will ensure maximum enjoyment and comfort:
- Sturdy Shoes: Skip the flip-flops. Even a gentle path can be rocky, uneven, or muddy. Waterproof walking shoes or boots are best.
- Layers: Even on sunny days, bring a fleece and a waterproof/windproof jacket. The weather can, and will, change in five minutes.
- Water and Snacks: A bottle of water and a pack of emergency shortbread are essential.
- Midge Repellent (Summer/Autumn): Smidge or Avon Skin So Soft are the accepted Highlander remedies. Apply liberally near water or still air!
Posts We Think You'll Love!
A Final Word: Leave No Trace
The beauty of the NC500 is fragile. As you enjoy these stunning, accessible trails, please adhere to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and the ‘Leave No Trace’ principle. Keep dogs on leads near livestock, take all litter home, and park thoughtfully – in short, respect the local communities!
The North Coast 500 isn’t a race or a mountain-climbing competition; it’s an immersive experience done at whatever pace you desire. Lace up your boots, choose a gentle coastal trail, and let the magnificent Scottish landscape restore your soul – one easy step at a time.
We hope that this guide will help in crafting your next stress-free North Coast 500 itinerary – you’re on holiday after all!
Happy travels!
Useful Links
- The official NC500 site – for local info!
- CalMac Ferries – book well in advance!
- Met Office – check the weather!
- Traffic Scotland – for route changes and updates.
- WalkHighlands – the best hiking trails and tips.
- Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) – be informed!
- Highlands2Hammocks (That’s us!) – for our online shop, other blogs, and brand-new campervan rental service.
