Walking on Arran

Experience the rugged peaks, sweeping moorlands, and tranquil shores of Scotland’s Isle of Arran with a handpicked collection of 44 inspiring walks, plus one route on neighbouring Holy Isle and the iconic Arran Coastal Way, one of Scotland’s Great Trails. Discover the island’s dramatic contrasts, from the wild northern mountains to gentle southern landscapes, and explore a region often described as ‘Scotland in miniature’.

Ideal for both seasoned adventurers and newcomers, this definitive Cicerone guidebook presents routes for every ability, from easy forest trails and low-level strolls to challenging high mountain traverses and exposed scrambles. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful coastal walk or the thrill of reaching Goatfell’s summit, these routes can be tailored to your pace and ambition.

• Discover 44 handpicked walks across the Isle of Arran and Holy Isle, including the complete 110km Arran Coastal Way, with options to link or combine routes for longer adventures, detailed in the Cicerone guide.
• Choose routes ranging from 5–23km (3–14 miles) and 2–7 hours in duration, covering everything Arran has to offer, from easy nature trails to challenging mountain scrambles, many accessible by public transport.
• Enjoy year-round walking through Arran’s spectacular landscapes, including wild northern peaks, tranquil southern farmland, ancient woodlands, geological wonders, and scenic coastlines rich in historical sites.
• Each walk in the guide features a clear summary, start and finish points, detailed 1:50,000 OS map extracts, GPX downloads, public transport details, walking times, and recommendations for accommodation and refreshments on Arran along the way.
• Gain insights into Arran’s unique geology, history, flora, fauna, and local points of interest, with fascinating background information provided throughout the guidebook.
• Make the most of interlinked routes and expert advice to create bespoke circuits or traverse the island, with practical tips on travel, access, navigation, and facilities, ensuring you explore Arran with confidence.

Set out to discover the mountains, coasts, and captivating heritage of Arran at your own pace, in every season. With this trusted Cicerone guidebook, experience the very best walking this remarkable Scottish island has to offer.

Seasons

Arran is good for walking year-round: be aware that the island's population triples in the peak summer period, and deer stalking takes place mid-August to mid-October.

Centres

Brodick; Lamlash; Lochranza

Difficulty

This guide include a few easy, waymarked forest trails and low-level walks and a dozen or so moderate glen and hill walks. The rest of the routes require more effort, involving higher mountains, sometimes with hands-on scrambling. There are roads and forest tracks, hill tracks and paths, but many routes also cross pathless slopes and traverse rocky mountain ridges.

Must See

Goatfell, Holy Isle, Beinn Nuis, Beinn Tarsuinn, the Sannox Horseshoe, Glen Rosa and the Cock of Arran

Contents

Overview map

Map key

Introduction

Getting to the Isle of Arran

Getting around the Isle of Arran

Familiarisation with the Isle of Arran

A geology classroom

A turbulent history

Land ownership and access

Island animals

Island plants

Accommodation on the Isle of Arran

Food and drink on the Isle of Arran

The maps

The walks

Tourist information

Emergency services on the Isle of Arran

The walks

Walk 1 Goatfell and Brodick

Walk 2 Brodick Castle and Country Park

Walk 3 Brodick and the Clauchland Hills

Walk 4 Sithein and Glen Cloy

Walk 5 Lamlash and the Clauchland Hills

Walk 6 Sithein and The Ross

Walk 7 Lamlash to Brodick

Walk 8 Holy Isle from Lamlash

Walk 9 Tighvein and Monamore Glen

Walk 10 Glenashdale and Urie Loch

Walk 11 Glenashdale Falls and Giants’ Graves

Walk 12 Lamlash and Kingscross

Walk 13 Eas Mòr and Loch Garbad

Walk 14 Lagg to Kildonan coastal walk

Walk 15 Kilmory forest circuit

Walk 16 Sliddery and Cnocan Donn

Walk 17 Tighvein and Glenscorrodale

Walk 18 The Ross and Cnoc a’ Chapuill

Walk 19 Shiskine and Clauchan Glen

Walk 20 Balmichael and Ard Bheinn

Walk 21 The String and Beinn Bhreac

Walk 22 Blackwaterfoot and King’s Cave

Walk 23 Machrie Moor Stone Circles

Walk 24 Dougarie and Beinn Nuis

Walk 25 Dougarie and Sail Chalmadale

Walk 26 Circuit of Glen Iorsa

Walk 27 Imachar and Mullach Buidhe

Walk 28 Pirnmill and Mullach Buidhe

Walk 29 Coire-Fhionn Lochan

Walk 30 Catacol and Meall nan Damh

Walk 31 Catacol and Beinn Bhreac

Walk 32 Catacol and Beinn Tarsuinn

Walk 33 Lochranza and Meall Mòr

Walk 34 Gleann Easan Biorach

Walk 35 Lochranza and the Cock of Arran

Walk 36 Lochranza and Sail an Im

Walk 37 Sannox and Fionn Bhealach

Walk 38 North Glen Sannox Horseshoe

Walk 39 Glen Sannox Horseshoe

Walk 40 Glen Sannox to Glen Rosa

Walk 41 Corrie and Goatfell

Walk 42 Glen Rosa and Beinn Tarsuinn

Walk 43 Western Glen Rosa

Walk 44 Eastern Glen Rosa

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Arran Coastal Way

Appendix B Useful contacts

Appendix C Gaelic/English glossary