Easy Munros to Climb in Scotland

What are Scotland’s easiest munros to climb? Scotland has 282 munros, or hills above 914m/3000ft. Attempting to climb all of them is a surprisingly addictive sport known as munro bagging. This list collects together 9 easy munros for you to get started with!

Easiest Munros to Navigate

1. Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond in the southernmost of the munros and sits high above Loch Lomond. Starting from the pay-and-display carpark in Rowardennan the route follows a wide and well-constructed path. Due to its popularity, there are often other people around, and overall this is a great easy munro to climb due to the straightforward route.

2. Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn)

Ben Vorlich is another one of Scotland’s most popular munros – and with that comes a well-worn path to follow. The route starts by following a good dirt track, which eventually transforms into a path, up the gently sloping ridge. Starting from Loch Earn the path heads in a direct southernly line all the way to the top of the munro, which is clearly marked with a trig point.

3. Buachaille Etive Beag

Want to experience the rugged beauty of Glen Coe? Buachaille Etive Beag offers the easiest outing in the glen without sacrificing anything in terms of views or atmosphere. A well-constructed path with rocky steps leads up Lairig Eilde almost directly above the carpark. The path is steep but extremely easy to follow, until it gets to the summit ridge between the two munros, Stob Dubh and Stob Coire Raineach, which together form the Buachaille Etive Beag. From here following the summit ridge to first one, and then the other summit, is straightforward.The easiest way back is to follow the same path back down to the carpark.

Physically Easiest Munros – Less Elevation Gain Than Usually

1. Meall nan Tarmachan (Lawers range)

All of the munros in the Lawyers group benefit from a high-level carpark, from which the walks start. Starting at nearly 500m above the sea level makes gaining the summit of these munros a much easier prospect! Out of the Lawers-range munros, the easiest to summit it Meall nan Tarmachan. Although, if after getting to the top you feel like you haven’t had enough yet, the walk is easy to extend by taking in the other tops along the ridge too!

2. Carn Aosda, Carn a’Gheoidh and The Cairnwell (Glenshee)

Any one of these three munros is an easy undertaking, and to be honest, all three together involve walking less than half the height of Ben Nevis (Scotland’s tallest munro). The downside is that the landscape here is heavily affected by the Glenshee ski centre. So, if you’d like to bag an easy munro (or three) this is an excellent choice. Just don’t expect pristine nature!

3. Beinn na Lap (Corrour)

Beinn na Lap is the opposite of the above Glenshee munros. It is surrounded by one of the most remote and wild areas of the Scottish Higlands but still a very achievable day out. At under 600m of elevation gain for the whole walk, it is only a more serious hillwalk than some of the above due to its remote position. For a quick hit, or for someone looking to get back into hillwalking after a break, it is a great choice. But it does require solid navigation skills and some hillwalking experience.

Other Easy and Popular Munros

1. Ben Nevis

Now, Ben Nevis can’t really be called easy per se – it is Scotland’s tallest munro after all! And its height is often underestimated by people. However, it is extremely popular, which means that there are almost always other people around. It does also have a clear well-trodden path, which in good visibility is very easy to follow. However, if the weather comes in, some care needs to be taken when navigating down from the summit plateau.

2. Ben Lawers

Like its neighbouring Meall nan Tarmachan, Ben Lawers benefits from a high starting point. It is a popular walk due to its central location, and on most days you will meet other hillwalkers here!

3. Schiehallion

Schiehallion is an iconic munro for its easily recognisable shape. It is a great walk for a hillwalking beginner; the navigation is not too challenging, the walking is not too strenuous, and you are rewarded with stunning views on all sides. It is no surprise that Schiehallion is a popular walk!

What You Should Know Before Climbing a Munro?

Scottish hills are often underestimated as small or inconsequential compared to bigger mountain ranges, such as the Alps. However, due to often remote locations, patchy mobile signal and the unpredictable Atlantic weather systems – they need to be respected for their seriousness. Every year on the Scottish hills, numerous hillwalkers get into trouble due to ending up out of their depth, too often these situations result in mountain rescue call outs, and occasionally in fatalities. Therefore, before heading out even for the easiest munros, it is important to check that you are appropriately prepared. As a bare minimum, check that you:

1. Have appropriate clothing and equipment for the day
2. Have a map and compass and know how to use them
3. Know what the weather forecast will be and how this might affect you
4. Have extra food, water and shelter with you in case of emergencies
5. Let someone know your route and when you expect to be back

Good luck and enjoy discovering the amazing nature, which awaits you in the Scottish Highlands!

Other Articles Which Might Interest You:

How to Get into Hiking: a Guide to Hiking for Beginners

Clothes for Cold: How to Layer for Autumn & Winter Walking

Explore Picturesque Corrour and Climb One of the Easiest Munros

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