Wellness

CLIMB EVERY BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN

Man stands on a mountaintop taking a photo of the view in Scotland.

by Ian Dick. “Danny the snapper.” Schiehallion. Scotland. Perthshire, Scotland.

Making progress can be like climbing a mountain. It begins with an an intention, a goal, and a single step. From gentle foothills to the highest peaks, progress lifts us. In fact, mountain climbing can help to train and condition us for making better progress in the rest of our lives.

Scotland is a beautiful place to begin. Recently voted the most beautiful country in the world, you can practice making progress while you enjoy some of its most spectacular scenery by climbing some 6,000 Munros!

Scotland can do beautiful things to your mind and body if you give it a chance! After all, Scotland was recently voted the most beautiful country in the world! Enjoy some of its most spectacular scenery by climbing on of its 6,000 Munros!

A Munro is a Scottish mountain in Scotland with a height over 3,000 feet (914 m). As you climb you are treated to the most magnificent forest, meadows and heaths. And once you get to the top, the views will blow you away.

Named after Sir Hugh Munro, 4th Baronet (1856–1919), who produced the first list these mountains, Munros come in many different shapes and sizes. The best known Munro is Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. Avid hikers aim to hike as many different Munros as they can in a practice known as "Munro bagging."

While you may not be into bagging them all, we’ve got a list of 10 easy to manage Munros to get you going. Don’t be fooled by their relative ease… they still deliver over-the-top beautiful views and thrilling experiences. Check them out below… complete with links to route information via Walk Highlands.

Beautiful pink sunset reflects on Ben Lomond mountain overlooking a lake in the Trossachs National Park in Scotland.

1. BEN LOMOND -- 3,195 ft (974 m)

Ben Lomond offers awesome views of the beautiful Loch Lomond. You’ll be sharing them with peregrine falcon, merlins, rock ptarmigan, red grouse, and golden eagles. It is the most southerly munro in Scotland.

See the Ben Lomond route.

Beautiful rocky mountaintop of Schiehallion Munro overlooks rolling green hills in Perthshire, Scotland.

2. SCHIEHALLION -- 3,547 ft (1,083 m)

Hike to the top of Schiehallion for jaw-dropping views across Perthshire and Rannoch Moor -- all the way to the peaks of Glencoe.

Also known as the “Fairy Hill of the Caledonians,” this Munro is made primarily of sparkling pink quartzite. Its slopes are blanketed with purple heathers, green mosses and blue blaeberry (akin to blueberries), all of which change colors with the seasons.

Check out the Schiehallion route.

Hill covered in purple heather stands in front of the Ben Chonzie mountain, under cloudy skies, in Perthshire, Scotland.

3. BEN CHONZIE -- 3054 ft (931 m)

Ben Chonzie, in Perthshire, is an easy Munro to climb. Its flat-topped summit is the highest point of a large area of moorland, offering beautiful views overlooking Glen Turret and Loch Turret.

See the Ben Chonzie route.

White wildflowers grow at the edge of a field in front of Ben Vorlich mountain in Scotland.

4. BEN VORLICH -- 3,231 ft (985 m)

Although Ben Vorlich is a cinch to scale, the views it offers are stellar. Gaze out across the thick forest to Loch Earn. You will likely have energy and time to bag the nearby Stuc a' Chroin Munro in the same day.

Check out the Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin route.

Mountains, clouds, and blue sky reflect in Loch Morlich, a beautiful lake in Scotland.

5. CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN -- 4084 ft (1,245 m)

Cairngorm, in Cairngorms National Park, is one of the highest Munros in Scotland. Its slopes are loaded with wildflowers in spring and bursting with cloudberries in summer. Ski them in winter. And enjoy stunning views from its rugged cliffs in any season.

See the CairnGorm Mountain and Northern Corries route.

Sheep graze in front of mountain in Scotland.

6. MAYAR -- 3,044 ft (928m)

7. DRIESH -- 3,106 ft (947m)

Both easy climbs that you can tackle in one day, Mayar & Driesh are two Munros in Cairngorms National Park. Golden eagles soar here above the Corrie Fee National Nature Reserve and large swaths of moorland.

Read about the Mayar and Driesh route.

Hiker walks along a path at Mount Keen in Scotland.

8. MOUNT KEEN -- 3,080 ft (939 m)

Mount Keen, near Angus, is Scotland's most easterly Munro. Novices can easily make their way to the top to score broad views over the moorland below. Walk or mountain bike up the path from Glen Esk or Glen Tanar through the lush Caledonian Forest. Red deer will keep you company.

Check out the Mount Keen Glen Esk route.

Snow covered mountains reflect in a lake in Scotland.

9. BEN WYVIS -- 3,431 ft (1,046 m)

Bird lovers love the easy climb to the top of Ben Wyvis, in Easter Ross, because they can see the rare migratory dotterel nesting in the moss there in summer. But everyone is awed by the sweeping views of Loch Glascarnoch and the Highlands just north of Inverness any time of year.

See the Ben Wyvis route.

A hiker rests feet as dog sniffs the ground as they take in the gorgeous view of the lake below and the mountains in the distance in Scotland.

10. FIONN BHEINN -- 3,061 ft (933 m)

Fionn Bheinn is a gentle Munro in the northwest Highlands. Its south side is a shallow, smooth grassy slope, while its north face is steeper and offers beautiful views out across Toll Mor corrie.

Check out the Fionn Bheinn Achnasheen route.

Gorgeous purple wildflowers grow on the side of a mountain in Scotland.

Read more about Beautiful Progress in Travel Bucket Places Ahead of the Rush.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

Glorious view of mountains and valley at Caringorms National Park, in Scotland.

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Beautiful autumn colors paint the trees as they reflect in a lake at the base of a mountain in Scotland.

IMAGE CREDITS:

Image: by Ian Dick. “Danny the snapper.” Schiehallion. Scotland. Perthshire, Scotland.
Image: by Bob the Lomond. “Ben Lomond on a sunny day.” The Trossachs National Park. Scotland.
Image: by greenzowie. “Schiehallion.” Perthshire, Scotland.
Image: by tigerburnie. “Perthshire.” Ben Chonzie. Perthshire, Scotland.
Image: by Chris Nicolson. “Ben Vorlich.” Southern Highlands. Scotland.
Image: by Karl Normington. “Loch Morlich.” Cairngorm. Coylumbridge, Scotland.
Image: by grant-flickr. “Mayar Driesh.” Cairngorms National Park, Scotland.
Image: by GaryE1981. “Mount Keen.” Angus, Scotland.
Image: by IrenicRhonda. “Winter at Loch Glascarnoch.” Ben Wyvis. Easter Ross, Scotland.
Image: by David Hamill. “Fionn Bheinn - Loch Fannich.” Northwest Highlands, Scotland.
Image: by stuart anthony. “Purple Saxifrage.” Corrie Fee. Angus, Scotland.
Image: by Mr. Evil Cheese Scientist. “Corrie Fee.” Cairngorms National Park, Scotland.
Image: by Karen Bryan. “View from picnic bench over Loch Faskally.” Pitlochry. Perthshire, Scotland.