The 10 best Munro hiking routes by train
Best Scottish mountain routes not needing a car
Scotland's mountains can be easily explored by using public transport to reach starting points. Here's the 10 best Munro routes accessed by train, with more outlined at the bottom of the page.
Munros intro
Map of Munros
Munros by height
Munros by region
Munros by name
Easiest Munros
Hardest Munros
Best Munros
Munros by train
Best multi-Munros days
So, if you don't want to take the car, what are the best Munro-bagging days to be had starting from near a train station ? Below is a list of the 10 best days, with some more mentioned at the bottom of the page.
There are two main railway lines to the Highlands from the Central Belt. From Glasgow one line heads north by Loch Lomond and splits at Tyndrum, where the Lower line continues onto Oban and the Upper line travels on to Fort William. The other line heads from Perth to Inverness then Dingwall, where it splits with one line running south-west to Kyle of Lochalsh and another line heading further north to Wick and Thurso
Train timetables and station information can be found at National Rail Enquiries.
1 - Ben Cruachan
From Loch Awe
Ascent : 1450m
Distance : 13km
Duration : 6hr
High above Loch Awe, the Dalmally Horseshoe looks down into the dark coire holding the Cruachan Reservoir below. There are several tops including two Munro summits - Ben Cruachan and Stob Daimh with a fine crest between them and stunning views from the summits. Access from Falls of Cruachan which is an 'on request' train-halt on the Glasgow-Oban line.
Ascent : 1450m
Distance : 13km
Duration : 6hr
Route info and map »
2 - Coulin Forest Munros
From Achnashellach
Ascent : 2150m
Distance : 21km
Duration : 9hr
The mountainous and rough area between Glen Carron and Glen Torridon is known as Coulin Forest and several Munro and Corbett peaks sit there waiting to be explored. Access from Achnashellach from where a superb day's circuit takes in Beinn Liath Mhor and Sgor Ruadh. Achnashellach station is an 'on request' train-halt on the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh line.
Ascent : 2150m
Distance : 21km
Duration : 9hr
Route info and map »
3 - Corryhully Horseshoe
From Glenfinnan
Ascent : 1450m
Distance : 21km
Duration : 7:40hr
The Corryhully Horseshoe has two Munro summits, Sgurr Thuilm and Sgurr nan Coireachan and sits to the north of the famed West Highland Line. These are rugged mountains and hint at the remoteness lying just beyond in Morar and the Rough Bounds of Knoydart. On clear days the views from the summits of these hills are outstanding, particularly westwards along Loch Morar towards Rum and Skye. Access from Glenfinnan on the Fort William to Mallaig line.
Ascent : 1450m
Distance : 21km
Duration : 7:40hr
Route info and map »
4 - Beinn a' Ghlo
From Blair Atholl
Ascent : 1550m
Distance : 26km
Duration : 9hr
Beinn a'Ghlo is the collective name for a vast mountain range containing three fine Munro peaks east of Glen Tilt in Perthshire. On the opposite side of Glen Tilt is Carn a'Chlamain, less of a 'show-off' mountain, but no less interesting. Fit hill walkers can combine these into one long outing ! Access from Blair Atholl on the Perth to Inverness line.
Ascent : 1550m
Distance : 26km
Duration : 9hr
Route info and map »
5 - Ossian Munros
From Corrour Halt
Ascent : 1550m
Distance : 26km
Duration : 9hr
North of Rannoch Moor, a remote and beautiful wilderness surrounds Loch Ossian. Overlooking this vast area are several hills including 3 Munros, Beinn na Lap, Sgorr Gaibhre and Carn Dearg. No public access by car, the train is the quickest way in - why not stay a night or two at the SYHA Hostel ? Access from Corrour Halt on the Glasgow to Fort William line.
Ascent : 1550m
Distance : 26km
Duration : 9hr
Route info and map »
6 - Ben Lui
From Tyndrum Lower
Ascent : 1700m
Distance : 19km
Duration : 7:30hr
Ben Lui is a spectacular mountain with excellent views and due to its shape, easily identified from other summits.
It has 3 neighbouring Munros, Beinn a'Chleibh, Beinn Oss and Beinn Dubhchraig.
Fine forestry tracks lead in from the Tyndrum Lower station on the Glasgow to Fort William line.
Ascent : 1700m
Distance : 19km
Duration : 7:30hr
Route info and map »
7 - Lurg Mhor
From Attadale with bike
Ascent : 1700m
Distance : 38km
Duration : 9hr
Lost in the North-West Highlands, the remote area surrounding Loch Monar is for the most part hidden well from view. Lurg Mhor and Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich sit in the heart of this vast area, two rugged mountains with narrow ridges. Take a bike and enjoy a fine day cycling to reach these Munros on the recently upgraded tracks travelling in from Attadale Halt on the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh line.
Ascent : 1700m
Distance : 38km
Duration : 9hr
Route info and map »
8 - Beinn Dorain
From Bridge of Orchy
Ascent : 1275m
Distance : 13km
Duration : 6hr
Beinn Dorain creates an impressive sight with its steep slopes sweeping directly up from above the West Highland Way to form a conical mountain.
Behind this impressive mountain there more Munros awaiting curious boots - Beinn an Dothaidh, Beinn Mhanach, Beinn Achaladair and Beinn a'Chreachain.
Access from Bridge of Orchy station on the Glasgow to Fort William line, where there are two hotels nearby and the curious 'West Highland Line Sleeper' hostel.
Ascent : 1275m
Distance : 13km
Duration : 6hr
Route info and map »
9 - Alder Forest Munros
Alder 'Big 6'
Ascent : 2400m
Distance : 56km
Duration : 11hr
Ben Alder which sits in the heart of Alder Forest is a mighty mountain with a vast plateau summit resting above several ridges and crests.
The easiest way to gain access to this area is by bike along the fine estate tracks starting by Loch Ericht.
Ideally you'll want to camp to get the best out of this beautiful area.
Access from Dalwhinnie station on the Perth to Inverness line.
Ascent : 2400m
Distance : 56km
Duration : 11hr
Route info and map »
10 - Ben Nevis & Lochaber 4000s
Lochaber 4000s
Ascent : 2220m
Distance : 20km
Duration : 8:45hr
Dominating the view above Fort William, mighty Ben Nevis, with a height of well over 4,000ft, is the highest mountain in the land.
There are so many options for a day out - hike the main 'tourist' trail, scramble along the Carn Mor Dearg arête or climb up one of the spectacular routes on the North Face.
Access from Fort William station at the end of the Glasgow to Fort William line.
Ascent : 2220m
Distance : 20km
Duration : 8:45hr
Route info and map »
There are many other hillwalking routes with Munros or other lower hills that start from near a train station. Here's some more (from north to south)....
Fionn Bheinn from Achnasheen on the Inverness to Kyle line.
Ben Wyvis from Garve on the Inverness to Kyle line.
Cairngorms from Aviemore on the Perth to Inverness line.
Monadh Liath from Newtonmore on the Perth to Inverness line.
Carn na Caim, A'Bhuidheanach Bheag and Meall Chuaich from Dalwhinnie on the Perth to Inverness line.
Munros above Loch Treig from Tulloch and Corrour on the Glasgow to Fort William line.
Beinn Teallach and Beinn a'Chaorainn from Tulloch on the Glasgow to Fort William line.
Moidart's Corbetts from Lochailort on the Fort William to Mallaig line.
Beinn Challum from Tyndrum on the Glasgow to Oban line.
Ben More and the Crianlarich hills from Crianlarich on the Glasgow to Oban line.
Beinn Eunaich and Beinn a'Chochuill from Dalmally on the Glasgow to Oban line.
Beinn Narnain and the Cobbler from Tarbet on the Glasgow to Oban line.
Ben Vorlich from Ardlui on the Glasgow to Oban line.
