Scotland named top spot for scenic easy walks with stunning views and little effort
Scotland was the only UK nation with four walks in the global top 25, offering stunning views with minimal effort.
Scotland has been celebrated as one of the best destinations in the world for breathtaking yet accessible walks, with four of its trails named among the top 25 easiest scenic routes globally.
A new international study by AllClear Travel Insurance ranked over 100 iconic walks worldwide to identify the most rewarding trails that require minimal effort. Factors such as walking distance, elevation gain and average temperature were considered to calculate a 'difficulty score' for each route.
Topping the list was Artist Point in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, with a score of just 11.9 out of 100. Other top-ranking trails included the Cadillac Summit Loop in the USA and the Milford Sound Foreshore Walk in New Zealand.
Scotland stood out as the only part of the UK with multiple entries in the global top 25. The four trails that made the cut were:
Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye (13th)
Arthur's Seat and St Anthony's Chapel, Edinburgh (19th)
Ben A'an, Trossachs (joint 20th)
Stac Pollaidh Circular, Wester Ross (25th)
These popular Scottish routes joined others from Canada, Switzerland and New Zealand in offering 'maximum scenic reward with minimal effort', perfect for walkers of all ages and abilities.
Letitia Smith, Head of Communications at AllClear, said: 'One of the most exciting parts of going on holiday is that first glimpse of a breathtaking view, whether it's from the plane window, your hotel room, or at the end of a trail. These are often the exciting moments that really give you that feeling of being on holiday and discovering somewhere new.
'But for millions of people, reaching some of the world's most beautiful viewpoints isn't always easy. This research highlights just how many incredible landscapes can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and all abilities, particularly those living with medical conditions, and we hope it inspires others on their travels.'
Among the standout Scottish trails is the Old Man of Storr on Skye's Trotternish Ridge, one of the island's most famous and busiest attractions.
Known in Gaelic as Bodach an Stòr , this 55-metre basalt pinnacle is the last remnant of a volcanic plug believed to be over 2.8 billion years old. The 3.8-kilometre trail to the rock formation takes around 1 hour 15 minutes to complete and begins and ends at the same car park.
Meanwhile in Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat offers a surprisingly wild escape in the middle of the capital.
According to AllTrails, the 4-kilometre out-and-back route is considered moderately challenging and takes around 1 hour 47 minutes to complete. Rising to 251 metres, this extinct volcano offers sweeping views over the city and is a favourite among hikers, runners and walkers alike.
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Further north in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Ben A'an provides a perfect introduction to hillwalking.
Though relatively short, the trail rewards walkers with panoramic views over Loch Katrine and the surrounding hills, making it ideal for families and first-time climbers.
Last but not least is the Stac Pollaidh Circular in Wester Ross. This rugged 4-kilometre loop around the dramatic Stac Pollaidh mountain is considered a challenging hike, but it remains a popular choice for those seeking stunning views of Assynt, the Summer Isles and even the Isle of Skye.
The summit, at 2,011 feet, is a coveted target for experienced scramblers, though the circular trail itself allows less experienced walkers to enjoy the area's spectacular scenery.
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