The Best Low-Fuss Munros for First-Time Baggers
There’s a moment, usually somewhere in your twenties, where someone you know suggests climbing a Munro. Maybe they call it “a good walk.” Maybe they say “it’s just Ben Lomond.” And maybe you find yourself halfway up it in jeans, ankle socks and a hangover, wondering how this became your weekend.
Let’s start again.
Scotland’s 282 Munros aren’t easy, but they’re not all punishing epics either. For the curious beginner — or the lapsed hillwalker ready to get back into it — some Munros offer a gentler introduction. Good paths, simple navigation, easy access, and just enough drama to make you feel like you’ve done something significant.
This is your low-fuss shortlist.
Some Munros are brutal. Others just sound brutal. But a few are relatively straightforward: they offer well-defined trails, no scrambling, and simple access logistics. A “low-fuss” Munro, in this context, is one with a decent path underfoot for most (or all) of the way, clear parking and access, no need for hands-on moves or exposed ridgelines, and no tricky river crossings. They don’t have to be short — though some are — and they don’t have to be easy. Just manageable. Bonus points go to those with a satisfying summit feel or good views, though you won’t always get those in the clag. These are the kinds of Munros that let you focus on the experience, not the logistics.
Ben Lomond
974m | ~12km round trip | OS Explorer 364
It’s the classic for a reason. Just an hour or so from Glasgow, Ben Lomond draws crowds on summer weekends — but that doesn’t make it less worthy. The main tourist path is well-maintained and steady, gaining height gradually from Rowardennan. You’ll pass through birch woodland, open moor, and then onto the broad upper ridge with its views across Loch Lomond and the Arrochar Alps.
Low-fuss level: High
Watch out for: Navigation on the descent if using the Ptarmigan route — best saved for a return visit.
Mount Keen (via Glen Tanar)
939m | ~27km round trip | OS Explorer 384
Long but mellow. Mount Keen is the most easterly Munro and arguably the most civilised. From the car park at Glen Tanar, it’s a well-maintained estate track for most of the way, with just a short steeper section near the top. The route follows the glen for hours, making it peaceful and ideal for building confidence in pacing and distance.
Low-fuss level: Moderate (it’s a long day, but very little difficulty)
Watch out for: Midges and tedium if the weather’s uninspiring — it’s a slow burn.
Cairn Gorm (via the ski area)
1245m | ~8km round trip | OS Explorer OL57
A bit of a cheat? Possibly. But if you want a short day with high-Munro bragging rights, Cairn Gorm from the ski car park is hard to beat. The infrastructure is contentious, but it does allow you to get above 1000m with barely 400m of ascent. On a good day, views across the Cairngorm plateau are jaw-dropping. On a bad one, it’s still a good intro to high mountain terrain.
Low-fuss level: Very high, mechanically assisted
Watch out for: Fierce weather — this is a true mountain despite the car park.
Broad Cairn (via Loch Muick)
998m | ~15km round trip | OS Explorer OL44
From the Spittal of Glenmuick car park, the track to Broad Cairn starts strong and stays consistent. You pass the head of Loch Muick and wind gradually up through the glen, eventually reaching the broad summit plateau. Views across to Lochnagar and south to Glen Doll are a real reward — especially on a clear, still morning.
Low-fuss level: High
Watch out for: The upper slopes can feel long in poor visibility — GPS helps.
Schiehallion
1083m | ~10km round trip | OS Explorer 386
A beautifully isolated Munro with a newly built path for much of the way. The lower slopes were once badly eroded but now benefit from conservation work, making the approach much more pleasant. The final section to the summit involves some rocky hopping, but no hands required. The hill stands alone, which means views in all directions — and you’ll see why it was used for 18th-century experiments to measure the mass of the Earth.
Low-fuss level: Medium-high
Watch out for: Summit rocks can be ankle-battering when wet or icy.
Not every low-fuss Munro made the main list. A few others are well worth a look, especially if you're branching out regionally. Ben Wyvis in the Northern Highlands offers a long but steady climb with huge views from the summit ridge. Driesh and Mayar in the Angus Glens make for a satisfying two-in-one outing on good trails. Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers, tackled from the National Trust car park above Loch Tay, give you another well-pathed pair. And Carn Liath, the easternmost Munro of the Monadhliath, is a short grassy climb that gets you high with surprisingly little effort.
Low-fuss Munros are a gateway — not lesser, not forgettable, and definitely not to be taken lightly in poor weather. They’re about giving yourself the best chance to enjoy the experience. Confidence is built with miles and mistakes, but starting with forgiving terrain helps. Next time someone asks if you fancy “just a Munro,” you’ll know exactly where to go.