Scotland is an incredible country in the north of the UK famed for its wild, rugged landscapes and exciting wildlife. With such vast expanses of wilderness, it can be hard to figure out how best to engage with the natural world there. While there are plenty of exciting options, one of the simplest yet most satisfying is a lovely hike around some beautiful scenery. There’s an abundance of stunning forests in Scotland just waiting to be explored, so here are some areas with amazing woodlands for exciting hikes.
Queen Elizabeth Forest Park
This forest park is truly enormous, at a staggering 50,000 acres. It takes in the mountains and moorland of Strathyre and leads all the way to the east shores of Loch Lomond. This area is a prime example of the beauty and majesty of wild Scotland, with the most magical trees, rivers, lochs, and hills to explore.
Galloway Forest Park
Another stunning site, with ancient woodland, breathtaking lochs and mountains, and some super exciting wildlife including red deer, red squirrels, otters, and water voles. This area is a designated Dark Sky Zone, which means if you fancy a trip after sundown you’ll be rewarded with exceptional views of the stars.
Glenmore Forest Park
Situated within the Cairngorms National Park, it’s no surprise that these woodlands are exceptionally magnificent. Featuring some ancient Caledonian forest, beautiful lochs, and exciting wildlife, this area is perfect to hike through and soak in the scenery.