They are the hidden highways known only to locals which have never appeared on a map.
But now some of Scotland’s most secret paths are being revealed to walkers for the first time thanks to a new guide which opens up their secrets for intrepid explorers.
Ramblers Scotland has unveiled eight of the country’s finest ‘hidden paths’, all of which have been plotted for the first time thanks to its award-winning Scottish Paths Map.
The walking charity’s online map features hundreds of previously-unmapped trails, including quality paths checked and logged by more than 400 Ramblers volunteers who are based everywhere from Shetland to Dumfriesshire.
But it’s list of their eight best includes paths known only to a few, which will now entice trailblazers from across the country
It is hoped that the Scottish Paths Map, which launched in 2021, will become a comprehensive guide of the country’s walking routes. Volunteers have already added over 2,800 new paths to the map, totalling around 1,500 miles in length.
Luke Phillips, Mapping Scotland’s Paths project manager, said: “It’s been fun putting together this list, which we hope will inspire more people to use the map and add their own local paths. We’ve picked a broad range of places - from woods on the edges of housing estates to gentle rural hill walks - to showcase the potential for the map to help all sorts of walkers to discover exciting new adventures.”
The map and details of how to volunteer to help compile it can be found here
Eight of Scotland’s best hidden paths:
1. Kellie Law, Fife
This attractive path has never featured on Ordnance Survey or online maps, despite being fairly popular among Fife locals in the know. It leads to a scenic trig point with views across the Firth of Forth. By linking with recorded paths nearby, it creates a scenic loop, passing wildlife-filled hedgerows.
2. Lurg Loch & Little Dumglow near Cleish, Perth & Kinross
While existing maps include a few paths on this hillside, there are also several ‘hidden paths’ such as this one, which opens a range of new options. This path allows walkers to loop around the waterlily and rush-covered Lurg Loch, and to link with two more hidden paths. One of the latter trails follows the grassy ridge to the scenic mini-peak of Little Dumglow, while another heads north-east to a parking spot via self-closing gates.
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3. Craig Rossie/Beld Hil near Auchterarder, Perth & Kinross
This characterful hill above Auchterarder affords expansive views north over Strathearn that are disproportionate to the hill’s modest 410-metre height. It allows a two to three-hour circular walk.
4. Kingussie hillside, Cairngorms
This path is just outside Kingussie, yet even on a busy summer day, it feels a world away from the bustle of the lively Cairngorms National Park town. It skirts the base of dense pinewoods and offers spectacular views to the Cairngorm plateau, with minimum effort. Walkers can enjoy the sound of Woodpeckers in the trees, the sweet smell of the pine trees and colourful heather either side of the trail.
5. Woods at Corpach, West Highlands
This short circular woodland walk leads from streets in Corpach village, a heartland of West Highlands industry. These well-used paths include a few steep climbs, passing through a mixed woodland on informal paths. For people looking to extend the walk, a stile at the north end of the loop connects to the open fields and rough hillside above.
6. Shaw Wood in Paisley, Renfrewshire
These little-known paths in south-east Paisley are perfect for residents in the many nearby housing estates to stretch their legs. Some sections are quite muddy underfoot in the field section and there are a few tight squeeze openings next to gates for visitors to negotiate. However, intrepid walkers will be rewarded by unexpected peri-urban parkland among attractive trees and open clearings.
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7. Crookston Wood, Glasgow
A beautiful path in Pollok area of Glasgow which has never before been mapped, either on print maps or online. There are three separate entrances to Crookston Wood that all link with a main circular loop, which features well-maintained paths and towering trees on a small urban hillside.
8. Philipston Muir, West Lothian
This woodland path is short but very useful, as it allows people enjoying the popular towpath next to the Union Canal at Philipston Muir to create quiet and varied loop walks. Nearby there is an interesting large bing, a hill created by the heaped tailings of former mining in the area. This path, which runs just to the east of the bing and near the Edinburgh-Glasgow rail line, has never been mapped before.
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