Four Scottish beauty spots have been named among the UK's best hidden gem autumn walks in a new list from travel experts SIXT. Braan Gorge in Perth and Kinross took the top spot for Scotland and fourth overall in the UK-wide roundup of 10 walking routes.
Scottish trails ranked in top 10
The River Braan, a tributary of the River Tay, flows about 11 miles east from Loch Freuchie and joins the Tay near Dunkeld. The gorge is framed by The Hermitage woodland just outside Dunkeld, known for its autumn colours and vistas. The forest was recently named Scotland's best place to see autumn colours.
Second for Scotland and fifth overall is Ness Glen in East Ayrshire, a Victorian-era showplace that remains one of Ayrshire's hidden treasures. Its ancient woodland and waterfalls draw visitors throughout the year, especially when leaves change colour in autumn.
Historic and natural landmarks
Loch Trool in Dumfries and Galloway placed third for Scotland and eighth overall. The narrow freshwater loch sits in Galloway Forest Park and is among the darkest places in the UK at night. It was the site of the Battle of Glen Trool in 1307 during the First War of Scottish Independence, where Robert the Bruce won; Bruce's Stone, a granite boulder commemorating the victory, stands on a hill on the loch's north side.
The Falls of Clyde in South Lanarkshire round out the Scottish entries at 10th overall. The natural wonder is located near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of New Lanark.
Expert advice for autumn walkers
Anna Golding from SIXT advised planning walks around sunset times and using autumn's low sun golden hour for the most scenic stretches before dusk. She recommended having a wet-weather backup plan and checking opening times, as many countryside pubs, visitor centres, and car parks switch to reduced winter hours from November 1, with last entry often as early as 3pm.
Golding also suggested downloading offline maps and hiking routes, as remote areas can lose signal, and bringing a charging cable or power bank since cold conditions can drain phone batteries. She advised packing sturdy boots with good grip, a spare bag for wet footwear, extra warm layers, waterproofs, a flask of warm drink, and emergency snacks in the car boot.
The full top 10 list includes Taf Fechan Gorge in Merthyr Tydfil, Owston Woods in Leicestershire, Lud's Church chasm in Staffordshire, Braan Gorge in Perth and Kinross, Ness Glen in East Ayrshire, Llyn Idwal in Gwynedd, The Knapp and Papermill nature reserve in Worcestershire, Loch Trool in Dumfries and Galloway, Silent Valley Nature Reserve in Blaenau Gwent, and Falls of Clyde in South Lanarkshire.
