What is the easiest Munro to climb?

The Cairnwell, at the top of the Glenshee pass, is widely considered the easiest Munro — the ski-centre car park sits at around 665m, leaving only about 270m of ascent on clear tracks. Carn Aosda next door is nearly as quick.

What is the easiest Munro near Glasgow or Edinburgh?

Ben Lomond is the classic easy Munro from Glasgow (about an hour's drive) with an excellent path all the way. From Edinburgh, Ben Chonzie near Crieff or Schiehallion near Aberfeldy are the most straightforward options.

How long does an easy Munro take?

The quickest, like The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda, can be done in 2–3 hours. A typical 'easy' Munro such as Schiehallion or Ben Lomond is a 4–6 hour round trip for most walkers.

The 10 Easiest Munros for Your First Climb

Every Munro bagger remembers their first. Choose well and you’ll come home tired, happy and already planning number two. These ten are the classic starters: good paths, honest navigation, and summits that deliver far more view than they demand in effort.

Times are typical round-trip estimates for a steady walker in summer conditions. Always check the weather before you go.

1. The Cairnwell — 933m, 2–3 hours

The gentlest introduction in the book. The Glenshee Ski Centre car park sits at ~665m, so you’re already two-thirds of the way up before you take a step.

2. Carn Aosda — 917m, 2–3 hours

The Cairnwell’s neighbour, and usually climbed with it in a single short day on ski-centre tracks. Two Munros before lunch — an encouraging start to any round.

3. Carn a’ Gheoidh — 975m, add 2 hours

The third of the Glenshee trio. Add it to the first two for a very achievable three-Munro day — and an early “multi-Munro day” badge in the 282 app.

4. Schiehallion — 1,083m, 4–6 hours

The “fairy hill of the Caledonians” is many people’s first Munro, and for good reason: a superbly maintained path, a striking conical profile, and a place in scientific history — the 1774 “weighing the world” experiment was conducted on its slopes.

5. Ben Lomond — 974m, 4–6 hours

The most southerly Munro and the closest to Glasgow. The “tourist path” from Rowardennan is clear all the way, with Loch Lomond glittering below the whole climb.

6. Ben Chonzie — 931m, 4–5 hours

A gentle track leads almost the whole way from Glen Lednock near Crieff. Famous for its mountain hares — in winter you might see dozens.

7. Mount Keen — 939m, 5–6 hours

Scotland’s most easterly Munro, reached by the historic Mounth track from Glen Esk. Long but never steep, with a real sense of crossing old drove country.

8. Meall nan Tarmachan — 1,043m, 4–5 hours

A high start on the Ben Lawers road and an entertaining, twisty ridge. The full Tarmachan Ridge is one of the best easy scrambles in the southern Highlands — or just do the Munro and retrace your steps.

9. Beinn Ghlas — 1,103m, with Ben Lawers 5–7 hours

Climbed en route to Ben Lawers, the highest peak in the southern Highlands. The path from the NTS car park (starting ~450m up) bags you both in one straightforward day.

10. Ben Wyvis — 1,046m, 5–6 hours

The great whaleback of the north, an easy drive from Inverness. A well-built path leads to a broad mossy plateau summit with views across the whole of Easter Ross.

Before you go

Even “easy” Munros are serious hills in bad weather — pack properly and check the forecast. Our beginner’s guide covers everything you need.

And when you get back down: open 282, mark it complete, and start the list. One down, 281 to go.