There are so many beautiful parts of Scotland, but the remote Highlands around Corrour and Rannoch Moor are particularly special. With limited road access, this area is one of the most inaccessible in the country! The scenery and hiking opportunities here are superb. I recently spent a few days at Loch Ossian Youth Hostel near Corrour. There are so many great walks to do, it was hard to fit them all in! Here are the top hikes to do around Corrour in Scotland.

How to Get to Corrour

Corrour is one of the most remote places in the UK. There is no public road here – from the train station, it’s 10 miles to the B846 at Rannoch, or 15 miles on a private estate road (unsealed track) to the A86 and even farther to Dalwhinnie. The only way to get here is by train, or by biking or walking in. Corrour station is on the West Highland Line, one of the most scenic rail journeys in the country, that goes from Glasgow to Fort William and onto Mallaig. It takes about 3 hours by train from Glasgow. All of the walks in this post can be done from Corrour or Rannoch stations.

Where to Stay At Corrour

This is a very remote area, with few buildings around – let alone accommodation options! You can stay in Glasgow or Fort William and take the train here for a day trip. But for a more unique experience, spend the night. Here are a few places to stay:

• Loch Ossian Youth Hostel – I had an incredible few days here! This off-grid hostel offers basic accommodation on shared dorms, with hot showers and a large fully equipped kitchen (you’ll need to bring all your own food with you)
• Corrour Station House – the Station House at Corrour offers three double rooms with great views across the mountains and moorland in the old signal box
• Moor of Rannoch Restaurant and Rooms – five cozy rooms and tasty meals await at this relaxed hotel in Rannoch

What to Pack for Hiking

Corrour is a very isolated part of Scotland, with very changeable weather – if you need help, it’ll be a long time away. Be sure you’re prepared for every walk you take. Warm, waterproof layers are essential, and I always recommend sturdy hiking boots – I love my Scarpa Mistrals! A hat and gloves are important for cooler weather, and don’t forget sunscreen on nicer days. Bring all the snacks and water you’ll need. I never go out without a power bank, waterproof phone case, dry bag, or first-aid kit. I use the OS Maps app on every single hike I do in the UK, including these ones around Corrour in Scotland. If you’re going hillwalking in winter, you’ll need crampons and an ice axe, plus the skills to use them.

The Best Hikes Around Corrour

Corrour to Rannoch

This fantastic linear walk is one of the best around Corrour and Rannoch Moor. I started from the hostel, but it’s easy to start from the train station. The trail follows a well-made track down the loch, eventually splitting off to circle around Meall na Lice and carry on past Peter’s Rock, all the way down to the B846 road in Rannoch and eventually to the station. The views here are unmatched – there is literally nothing around! I loved getting to see the Scotrail train going through the empty, majestic countryside here. After finishing at Rannoch station, you can then take the train back to Corrour, or carry on your journey elsewhere.

Distance: 10.5 miles starting from the hostel, 11.3 miles from Corrour station

Time: 4.5 to 7 hours

Elevation gain: 213 meters

Loch Ossian Loop

If you want a low-level walk with beautiful scenery, the loop around Loch Ossian is a great choice. Follow the well-made track or unsealed estate road in a big circle around the loch, enjoying views of the water and mountains on all sides. You’ll also see the funky house at Corrour Lodge, at the far end of the loch. I started this walk from the hostel, and have given two distances.

Distance: 7.5 miles from the hostel, 9.2 miles from Corrour station

Time: 3 to 4.5 hours

Elevation gain: 120 meters

Beinn na Lap

This is a quick and straightforward, up-and-down Munro to bag near Loch Ossian. I decided to skip it, as the weather was terrible and I didn’t feel like getting drenched from snow and rain, and then having to sit on a train for 7 hours. I’ll go back in better weather and do it! Corrour and Loch Ossian are already fairly high up – almost 400 meters – so there’s not as much elevation gain for this one as is normally required to summit a Munro peak.

Distance: 5 miles from the hostel, 6 miles from the station

Time: 3 to 5 hours

Elevation gain: 569 meters

Carn Dearg and Sgor Gaibhre Munros

Sadly, I didn’t do this hike due to weather. There was knee-deep snow and bitterly cold winds (-12C windchill) when I was in the area, so I gave it a miss due to the conditions. On a good day though, this is a beautiful, challenging walk bagging the summits of two Munros, Carn Dearg and Sgor Gaibhre. It’s walked as a loop, finishing on the track by the loch at the end. Check out the route details on WalkHighlands.

Distance: 11.4 miles from the hostel, 13.5 miles from Corrour station

Time: 6.5 to 8 hours

Elevation gain: 970 meters

Loch Treig

Loch Treig is a long loch close to Corrour station, with the train tracks running on one side. It’s a very remote place – there’s nothing around besides the train! The loch was home to Ken Smith, the so-called “hermit of Treig” who lived in a hand-built cabin with no electricity or running water for 40 years, living off the land. The documentary The Hermit of Treig is a fascinating watch! This walk is mainly on tracks to the shores of the loch.

Distance: 7 miles from the hostel, 8.1 miles from Corrour station

Time: 3.5 to 5 hours

Elevation gain: 280 meters

Rannoch to Loch Laidon

This is a short and easy walk from Rannoch station, across the railway tracks and down the trail (which eventually leads to Glencoe) to the shores of Loch Laidon. There is apparently a sandy beach here! If you’re after a quick hike around Rannoch, this is a great pick.

Distance: 1.6 miles

Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour

Elevation gain: minimal

I loved my trip to this incredible part of the West Highlands. Staying at Loch Ossian Youth Hostel was such a wonderful experience, and I really enjoyed my hikes around Corrour and Rannoch, gazing in awe at the breathtaking mountain scenery all around. I hope this post helps planning a hiking trip to Corrour!

Have you visited this part of Scotland before? What was your favorite hike?

You might also like my posts:

A Getaway to the Scottish Highlands: Staying at Loch Ossian Youth Hostel

A 7-Day Itinerary for Hiking the West Highland Way

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A Travel Guide for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Scotland

A 7-Day Itinerary for Scotland’s North Coast 500 Road Trip

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What You Need to Know About the Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland

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