The islands of Harris and Lewis form the largest landmass in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, a place of vast skies, turquoise seas and some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the UK. Here, white-sand beaches meet rugged Atlantic cliffs, inland moorland stretches towards distant hills, and ancient monuments stand in windswept landscapes shaped by geology and history. From the rocky Harris hills in the south to the sweeping peatlands and archaeological treasures of Lewis in the north, the islands offer a rich and varied walking environment.

This guidebook presents 30 graded walks exploring Harris and Lewis, ranging from shorter routes to historical, cultural and geological landmarks to more demanding hill days in the Harris hills. The walks range from 4 to 22km (3–14 miles) and take between 1 and 8 hours to complete, making them suitable for relaxed half-day outings or full-day adventures. Alongside classic highlights such as the Calanais Standing Stones, the guide also includes information on additional walking opportunities on nearby islands, including St Kilda, Berneray and the Shiant Islands, plus a full list of all the Marilyns on Harris, Lewis and St Kilda for peak-baggers.

• 30 graded walks across Harris and Lewis, carefully selected to showcase the best coastal scenery, inland landscapes and hill terrain on both islands, with options suitable for beginners through to experienced hillwalkers.
• Clear, easy-to-follow route descriptions for every walk on Harris and Lewis, supported by 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps to aid navigation across moorland, cliffs, beaches and upland ground.
• Routes ranging from 4 to 22km (3–14 miles), allowing you to choose between shorter coastal walks on Harris and Lewis or longer, more challenging hill routes in the Harris hills.
• Refreshment information for each walk on Harris and Lewis, helping you plan café stops, local facilities and post-walk options in villages and settlements across the islands.
• Highlights of historical, cultural and geological points of interest on Harris and Lewis, including the Calanais Standing Stones and other significant archaeological and natural landmarks.
• A comprehensive list of all the Marilyns on Harris, Lewis and St Kilda, providing an invaluable resource for hill-baggers aiming to summit every qualifying peak in this part of the Outer Hebrides.

Compact enough to fit easily into a jacket pocket, this practical guidebook gives you everything you need to explore Harris and Lewis on foot, whether you’re visiting for a short break or planning a dedicated walking holiday in the Outer Hebrides.

Walking on Harris and Lewis - Quick Facts

Guide name: Walking on Harris and Lewis – 30 Day Walks
Location: Isle of Harris and Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK (Atlantic coast, moorland and hills)
Total walks: 30 graded day walks
Typical duration: ~1–8 hours per walk
Distance range: ~4–22 km (3–14 miles) per walk
Walk type: Diverse island day walks — coastal paths, moorland routes, archaeological sites and hillwalks in the Harris hills
Navigation: 1:50,000 OS mapping and detailed route descriptions in the guidebook
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with some more challenging hill routes; suitable for a range of walking abilities
Terrain: White-sand beaches, rugged Atlantic cliffs, open moorland, sea lochs, inland glens and rocky hills
Highlights: Calanais Standing Stones, Harris beaches, remote Atlantic coastline, island archaeology and Marilyn summits
Best season: Late spring to early autumn (May–September); be prepared for wind and changeable weather year-round

Author Highlight

“If you're a dedicated walker, tired of the crowded hills and mountains of more accessible areas, coming to Harris and Lewis is a must. You will get solitude in abundance and won't have to go far off the few beaten tracks to have a summit or glen to yourself.”

- Richard Barrett, author of Walking on Harris and Lewis

Seasons

best visited from early spring through to early autumn, although even then the weather can be unpredictable

Centres

Tarbert on Harris and Stornoway on Lewis are the main centres, but reaching most walks will involve travel

Difficulty

maps of the area show few footpaths but this guide offers a selection of full days in the high hills with classic horseshoe routes, traverses and ridges, together with shorter, lower-level walks to world-famous heritage sites and antiquities

Must See

with stunning landscapes, spectacular wildlife and numerous antiquities, Harris and Lewis are one of the last refuges for walkers looking for memorable days out in a remote setting

June 2024

Walk 16 map

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