Scotland is renowned for its rugged and rugged nature. And there may be nowhere in the British Isles that feels further from the bustle of civilization than atop a mighty munro.
Climbing a mountain brings a spectacular sense of accomplishment. So much so that in Scotland there is a challenge known as ‘munro-bagging’ – reaching the top of Scotland’s 282 mountains which are over 3,000 feet tall.
But what are everyone’s biggest challenges?
We take a look at Scotland’s tallest munros and how difficult each is to climb.
Remember that these mountains are dangerous and extreme environments, even under favorable conditions. Make sure you are prepared with the right equipment and do your research before picking up any of these.
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Ben Nevis is the King of the Scottish Highlands. Standing at 1,345m (4,412ft), it is the tallest mountain in the UK. It takes between seven to nine hours to complete the mountain trail and about three and a half to four and a half hours to climb to the top. It goes without saying that this is not a walk in the park, so be prepared. You will be sore the next day, but the views and the feeling of accomplishment will be immense.
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Ben Macdui is the second highest mountain in Scotland and Britain, at 1,309m (4,294ft). It sits on the Cairngorm Plateau, an arctic environment that is home to Britain’s only reindeer herd. It takes about six to eight hours to walk in summer conditions, with a staggering ascent of 932m (3057). Beware as the board is exposed to the elements and difficult to navigate. If you want to undertake this, you will need high level navigation skills and equipment. Not for the faint-hearted or unprepared, and nearby Cairn Gorm would have better views.
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Braeriach is also in the Caingorms, and he is considered the best of the bunch. Standing at 1296m (4251ft), it takes a long approach walk to reach its vast summit, about eight to ten hours under favorable conditions. Braeriach is less popular than the previous two due to its remote location, but its wilderness is said to be dramatic and wildly beautiful. It is a difficult but incredibly rewarding walk recommended for experienced walkers.
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Another of the Cairngorms, Cairn Toul is 1,291 m (4,235), only meters shorter than its neighbor Braeriach. It is often climbed along other peaks, but walkers who do it alone will need to cover at least 27 km for the round trip. The view from the top is said to be spectacular, but expect a bit of rock scrambling and maybe a stay in an oven before you get to the top.
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