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Goatfell

The Goatfell hike takes you to the iconic summit and highest point on the Isle of Arran, at an altitude of 874 meters. This route is undoubtedly the most popular on the island and a must for hikers visiting Arran.

Once you reach the summit, you will be rewarded with an exceptional 360° panorama of the entire island of Arran, the Scottish coast, the islands of Jura and Islay, and on a clear day, you can even see the Irish coast.

Remarks

Access and parking: A large, free parking lot is available near the mountain rescue center, 1.5 km north of Brodick. The trailhead is behind the Isle of Arran Brewery, across the road. From the Brodick ferry terminal, you can reach the starting point on foot in about 30 minutes via the coastal path or by bus in 5 minutes.

After the hike: The Wineport Bistro, located at the starting point, is the ideal place to celebrate your climb with a well-deserved drink in their pleasant garden.

Difficulties of the hike

This hike requires significant physical effort, with an elevation gain of 880 meters from sea level. The trail is clear and well-maintained throughout.

The ascent begins in the forest with a gentle, steady slope and then crosses heathland with a gradually steeper incline. The final third of the hike becomes very steep: the trail winds between and over imposing granite boulders. Fortunately, stone steps have recently been added to this section, making it easier and accessible to most people without requiring any special technical skills.

What you'll love

  • The spectacular panorama from the summit: on a clear day, the view stretches across the entire Isle of Arran with its impressive granite ridges, the islands of Jura and Islay, and even the Irish coast.
  • The gradual and well-maintained approach which allows you to enjoy the climb on excellent trails maintained by the National Trust of Scotland.
Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: ModerateiDifficulty levels explained here:
➡️ Hiking parameters
Average duration: 4 h 30 miFind out how we calculate the duration here:
➡️ Hiking parameters
Length: 11.1 km
Type of route: Out and back
Elevation gain: 880 m
Maximum altitude: 874 m
Vertiginous: NoiVertiginous levels explained here:
➡️ Hiking parameters
Marked: No
Popularity: Moderate
Region: Isle of Arran
Start point: 55.59132, -5.15559
Goatfell