Isle of Skye Hikes: 12 Best Walks, from the Quiraing to the Cuillin

These are the best Isle of Skye walks, grouped from easy to mountaineering.

Easy - Fairy Glen, near Uig: 1.6 km loop, 30 minutes - Coral Beach, Claigan: 3 to 4 km return - Neist Point: 2 km return, 45 minutes to 1 hour - Talisker Bay: 3.5 km return - Fairy Pools, Glen Brittle: 2.4 km return, 1 to 2 hours - Scorrybreac, Portree: short shore walk

Moderate - Old Man of Storr: 4 km return, 1.5 to 2 hours - Quiraing walk: 7 km circuit, 2 to 4 hours - Point of Sleat: 8.9 km, about 2.5 hours

Hard - Rubha Hunish: 6 to 8 km, rough and steep sections - Bla Bheinn (Blaven): long, steep Munro ascent - Sgurr na Stri: long day hike through Glen Sligachan - Trotternish Ridge: 23.2 km, about 9 hours 45 minutes of walking

Mountaineering - Cuillin Ridge: 11 to 14 km, 15 to 20 hours for a full traverse; requires scrambling and rock climbing skills

Skye has two distinct landscapes: the Trotternish landslip in the north, which gives the island its twisted pinnacles and grass plateaux, and the Cuillin in the south, a horseshoe of gabbro and basalt with some of the most demanding ridge terrain in Britain.

• Start and parking: Car park at the highest point of the single-track road between Uig and Staffin, about 9 km from Uig and 4 km from Staffin. Room for about 100 cars. The car park fills quickly on summer mornings.
• Distance: About 7 km circuit
• Time: 2 to 4 hours
• Ascent: 400 to 550 m
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Quiraing walk is one of the most dramatic Isle of Skye hikes and worth the effort. The route circles a landslip hollow on the east face of Meall na Suiramach, passing three formations with their own names: the Needle, a rock spike about 37 m tall; the Table, a raised grass plateau roughly the size of a football field; and the Prison, a blocky outcrop that guards the entrance. The path below the cliffs is narrow, crosses a stream gully and includes a steep eroded section. The return leg over the top of the ridge is exposed in wind and cloud, so check the forecast before you go. This is a moderate walk, but conditions can change it quickly. Go early in summer: the car park fills quickly in July and August.

Is there a short walk at the Quiraing?

Yes. Many walkers follow the outward path below the cliffs, take in the views of the Needle and the Table, and turn back the same way. This shortens the walk and avoids the exposed return over the top. The views are excellent on the outward leg alone, so a shorter out-and-back is a good option in uncertain weather or with younger walkers.

The Quiraing is also one of the highlights of day 2 on our Skye Trail Northern Half, a self-guided 6-day trip through the north of the island.

• Start and parking: Paid car park on the A855 north of Portree
• Distance: About 4 km return
• Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
• Ascent: Around 300 m
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

The Old Man of Storr hike is one of the most popular walks on Skye, and once you are standing in the Sanctuary below the pinnacles you will understand why. A well-built path climbs through a former plantation and brings you to the rock pinnacles of the Sanctuary, with the Old Man itself rising to one side. The Storr, of which it is a part, reaches 719 m and is part of the Trotternish landslip, the longest such geological feature in Great Britain. Views across to the Isle of Raasay and towards the mainland hills open up as you gain height. The upper slopes become steep and muddy after rain. The walk is busy throughout the season. Going early in the morning or in the evening gives you the best chance of a quieter experience and better light for photographs.

Note: the summit of The Storr is a separate and harder walk that continues above the Sanctuary on unmarked terrain.

How difficult is the Old Man of Storr hike?

The Old Man of Storr hike is easy to moderate. The path is well-maintained and clearly marked from the car park to the Sanctuary below the pinnacles. The main challenge is the gradient on the upper section and the muddy ground after rain. Waterproof boots are strongly recommended. Most fit adults complete the return walk in under two hours.

• Start and parking: Paid car park at Glen Brittle with toilets. A free overflow car park about 10 minutes' walk up the road reduces the queuing at busy times.
• Distance: About 2.4 km return to the main pools
• Time: 1 to 2 hours with stops
• Difficulty: Easy

The Fairy Pools walk leads through Glen Brittle to a series of clear pools and waterfalls at the foot of the Black Cuillin. The water is cold and exceptionally clear. The path involves stepping-stone river crossings that can be difficult after heavy rain. For a longer day, continue into Coire na Creiche above the main pools; this extends the walk to about 8 km in total and brings you deeper into the cirque below the Cuillin peaks. The Fairy Pools are one of the most-visited spots on the island, so arrive early or visit on a weekday if you prefer quieter conditions.

Neist Point

• Start and parking: Car park at the end of the road on the far west coast of Skye
• Distance: About 2 km return
• Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour walking
• Difficulty: Easy

Neist Point is a headland on the far west coast of Skye, with a lighthouse and big sea views. The path descends steeply from the car park on a path with steps, then continues along the headland. Seabirds are a common sight. The return climb back up the steps is the only real effort involved.

Coral Beach (Claigan)

• Start and parking: Small car park at Claigan, north of Dunvegan
• Distance: About 3 to 4 km return
• Difficulty: Easy

The Coral Beach at Claigan is made not of coral but of crushed coralline algae, which gives the beach a pale, almost white colour that looks unlike anything else on Skye. The track from the car park is easy and mostly flat. The beach is quiet by Skye standards and rewards an early start or an evening visit.

Talisker Bay

• Start and parking: Small parking area at the end of the road near Carbost
• Distance: About 3.5 km return
• Difficulty: Easy

Talisker Bay is a grey sand beach ringed by cliffs. A track leads from the small parking area to the beach. The beach feels remote despite the short walk, and the surrounding cliffs give the bay a dramatic frame. A good choice when the higher walks are in cloud.

Fairy Glen

• Start and parking: Parking in the glen is very limited. Park in Uig and walk in (about 30 minutes each way) or check local parking options on arrival.
• Distance: About 1.6 km loop, or a free wander
• Time: About 30 minutes for the loop
• Difficulty: Easy

The Fairy Glen is a small landscape of grassy conical hills and rock formations just outside Uig. It feels unlike the rest of Skye: compact, green and almost toy-like. There is no formal path; most people simply wander between the hills. Keep to the worn grass to avoid erosion.

Scorrybreac

• Start and parking: Begin from the town centre of Portree
• Distance: Short shore walk along Portree Bay
• Difficulty: Easy

Scorrybreac is a shore path that leaves Portree and follows the edge of the bay, with views across the water to Raasay. Sea eagles nest on the cliffs in the area and are sometimes seen from the path. The walk is easy, suitable as a short leg-stretch before or after a long drive.

Point of Sleat

• Start and parking: Car park at the end of the road at Aird of Sleat
• Distance: 8.9 km
• Time: About 2.5 hours without stops
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

The Point of Sleat is the southernmost tip of the island. The track leads through mixed terrain to a white sand beach and a modern lighthouse, with views to the islands of Rum, Canna and Eigg on a clear day. The walk is longer than most coastal walks on Skye but the ground is straightforward and the sense of reaching land's end is satisfying.

Rubha Hunish

• Distance: About 6 to 8 km
• Difficulty: Hard, with rough and steep sections

Rubha Hunish is the northernmost point of Skye. The approach involves rough moorland and a steep descent to a narrow coastal headland. It is one of the more remote walks on the island and sees far fewer visitors than the Quiraing or the Old Man of Storr. It is also the starting point of the Skye Trail long-distance route. Seabirds and seals are commonly seen from the headland.

Bla Bheinn (Blaven)

• Start and parking: Bla Bheinn car park on the road to Elgol
• Difficulty: Hard; experienced hillwalkers

Bla Bheinn stands at 928 m and is a Munro that sits apart from the main Cuillin ridge, east of Glen Sligachan. The ascent is long and steep on rough terrain but is non-technical in dry conditions. The summit gives panoramic views of the Black Cuillin, Loch Coruisk and the mainland. A full head for heights is useful on the upper section, and the descent requires care. Do not attempt in poor visibility without navigation experience.

Sgurr na Stri

• Difficulty: Hard; experienced hillwalkers

Sgurr na Stri is a modest hill with a famous view from its summit over Loch Coruisk and the Cuillin. The most common approach is a long walk from Sligachan through Glen Sligachan, passing between the Red and Black Cuillin. It is a full day out with significant distance and rough ground underfoot. Camasunary bay, reached by a separate walk from Kilmarie, offers a shorter objective with a taste of the Cuillin landscape without climbing a mountain. Loch Coruisk can be reached by seasonal boat from Elgol or on foot; the coastal path from Elgol which crosses the Bad Step, an exposed sloping slab that is not suitable for nervous walkers.

Cuillin Ridge

• Distance: About 11 to 14 km for the full ridge
• Time: 15 to 20 hours for a full traverse
• Difficulty: Mountaineering; technical scrambling and rock climbing required

The Cuillin Ridge is one of the most serious mountain ridges in the UK. The Cuillin holds twelve Munros and the highest point on Skye, Sgurr Alasdair at 992 m. The rock is gabbro, which grips well in dry conditions, but some sections are basalt, which becomes slippery when wet. The Inaccessible Pinnacle, one of the Munros on the ridge, requires a roped rock climb to summit. A full traverse takes most parties 15 to 20 hours, and most summits involve scrambling. Compasses give unreliable readings on parts of the ridge due to the magnetic gabbro. Most people who attempt the full ridge hire a qualified mountain guide. This is not a hiking objective for walkers without a background in technical mountain terrain.

Trotternish Ridge

The Trotternish Ridge is the high ground connecting the Quiraing in the north to The Storr in the south. On our route, the stage from the Quiraing to The Storr covers 23.2 km with 1,220 m of ascent and takes around 9 hours 45 minutes of walking. It is the longest day on the Skye Trail and one of the most demanding single-day walks on the island. The exposure and the distance make navigation skills and good weather essential.

For contrast on a shorter but equally iconic Scottish summit, see our guide to hiking Ben Nevis.

The main season for hiking on the Isle of Skye runs from May to September. May, June and September often give the best balance of weather, daylight and manageable crowds. July and August are the busiest months: trailhead car parks at the Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Pools fill early on fine days.

Midges are active from June to August in still, damp conditions, particularly in the early morning and evening. A head net and midge repellent are worth carrying in those months.

Weather changes fast on Skye. Always carry waterproofs regardless of the morning forecast.

Getting there: The Skye Bridge connects the island to the mainland at Kyle of Lochalsh. A ferry runs between Mallaig and Armadale in the south of the island. By rail, trains run from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and from Glasgow via Fort William to Mallaig. The West Highland Way ends in Fort William, so the two combine well. Inverness is the nearest larger airport. Bus services on Skye are limited.

Bases: Portree is the most practical base for walks in the north, including the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr. Broadford, Sligachan and Glen Brittle give faster access to the Cuillin and southern walks.

The Skye Trail links many of the walks described above into a single continuous route. It runs about 128 km from Rubha Hunish in the north to Broadford in the south, usually walked in seven stages. The trail is unofficial and unwaymarked. Paths vary from clear tracks to open moorland with no visible route. A map and compass are needed, and navigation experience is essential on the Trotternish Ridge stage. Full details, stage by stage, are in our complete guide to the Skye Trail.

We offer two self-guided trips with luggage transport, taxi transfers where a stage starts or ends away from accommodation, and our app with offline GPS navigation, route maps and elevation profiles:

The Skye Trail in 9 days covers the full route from Flodigarry to Broadford: 131.3 km, seven walking days, 3,510 m total ascent, rated Advanced, from 2,395 euros per person. The Skye Trail Northern Half in 6 days covers the Quiraing, the Trotternish Ridge and the Old Man of Storr: 77.1 km, four walking days, 2,650 m total ascent, rated Advanced, from 1,840 euros per person.

Both trips include accommodation (private rooms, en suite where possible), daily luggage transport and taxi transfers. Not included: travel to and from Skye, lunch and dinner, insurance and any tourist tax collected locally.

Both trips are part of our wider offer of walking holidays in Scotland.

• Carry full waterproofs: a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers and boots with grip. Conditions change without warning.
• Bring a warm layer even in summer. Wind chill on the ridge walks is significant.
• Carry food and water for the full planned duration plus extra time.
• Take midge repellent from June to August.
• On any walk above the valley floor, carry a paper map in addition to a phone. The Bookatrekking app provides offline GPS navigation with elevation profiles and GPX files for our routes. For other walks, download a map before you leave the signal area.
• At the Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Pools, use paid car parks early. These fill quickly in summer.
• Check a mountain weather forecast before any higher walk. Do not rely on a general coastal forecast.
• Tell someone your plan for the day and your expected return time.
• Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code: close gates after you, keep dogs under close control near livestock and take all litter with you.

These walks on Skye cover a wide range, but the island is part of a broader network of Scottish long-distance routes worth knowing. Our guide to hiking in Scotland covers the full picture. For quieter mainland alternatives after Skye, the Great Glen Way and the Rob Roy Way both offer long-distance walking through dramatic Highland landscapes with more waymarking and easier logistics.