Hiking in Glen Etive

For an off-the-beaten-track adventure there is no better destination in Scotland than Glen Etive. It is so isolated that many miss the turn off. Located on the route between Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe, the road to Glen Etive is a narrow single track that is best known to hiking and nature enthusiasts who frequent Glen Etive for its breathtaking views and magnificent landscapes. Glen Etive is unique in the sense that there is no village or town, just wide open spaces with fresh air and abounding beauty.

The track runs down to the ruins of what used to be a busy pier. A steamer from Oban once brought passengers here, who would then make use of the track that ran down alongside Loch Etive. Glen Etive is located at the head of Loch Etive and there are still boat operators further down the loch that bring visitors past the tranquil natural wonders of Glen Etive. But mostly it is the hillwalkers and hikers that take advantage of this picturesque landscape.

The hiking routes and paths take hiking enthusiasts on various routes though the valleys and hills, past breathtaking features such as the mountain ridges of Buachaille Etive Beag and Buachaille Etive Mor. Mountain passes through these highlands lead to spectacular views and unforgettable sights. One of the greatest attractions to Glen Etive is Ben Starav. Ben Starav is a mountain ridge that stands at a height of 1 078 meters, offers a great outlook position over Loch Etive and Glen Etive and leads to a lower ridge, Glas Bheinn Mhor, at 997 meters. Climbing Ben Starav is not recommended for those with a fear of heights. Many landscape photographers have been known to camp at Glen Etive to capture some of its magnificence on film at sunrise and sunset. The ruins of the pier, the calm waters of the loch and intimidating mountains that surround Glen Etive create perfect photographic opportunities and unforgettable memories. Glen Etive feels like it is in a world of its own, and it is for this reason that hikers and visitors return to enjoy the beauty of Scotland in a unique and tranquil location.