Discover the wild spirit and legendary landscapes of the Isle of Skye with this collection of 15 carefully chosen short walks, each designed to showcase the island’s most iconic scenery, from the dramatic pinnacles of the Old Man of Storr and the surreal landslip of the Quiraing to shimmering sea lochs, hidden beaches, and the enchanting Fairy Pools. 

With every route taking less than three hours, this guidebook is your essential companion to explore the magic of Skye, perfect for families, first-time visitors, or anyone eager to experience the rugged beauty and rich history of Scotland’s celebrated ‘Winged Isle’.

• Each of the 15 walks features clear, easy-to-follow maps and step-by-step route descriptions, with numbered points that link directly to OS mapping for simple, reliable navigation.
• Practical details are provided for every walk, including information on parking, public transport, facilities, and route highlights, ensuring your Skye adventures are enjoyable, accessible, and well-planned, whether you’re seeking towering rock spires, Neolithic sites, or sweeping views towards the Outer Hebrides.
• Explore Skye’s most memorable sights: the Old Man of Storr, Quiraing, Rubha Hunish, the Fairy Pools, and the atmospheric ruins of Boreraig, alongside lesser-known gems such as Dùn Borrafiach, Armadale woodland, and the raised beach at Scorrybreac.
• Routes begin at key Skye locations, including Portree, Broadford, and Armadale, with suggestions for car, bike, or public transport, making it easy to reach even the island's remote corners.
• Encounter Skye’s unique wildlife and flora along the way, from golden and white-tailed eagles soaring overhead, to puffins, seals, wildflowers, and ancient woodlands, set against the island’s ever-changing weather and legendary light.

Part of Cicerone’s trusted Short Walks series, this guide to the Isle of Skye brings together everything you need for a memorable day out in Scotland’s most evocative landscape. 

Whether you’re a local, a day-tripper, or planning an extended island escape, this guide is your key to discovering the best of Skye at an easy, enjoyable pace, letting the island’s history, wildlife, and scenery inspire every step.

15 Short Walks on the Isle of Skye: Quick Facts

Location: Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, Scotland, UK
Total walks: 15 selected short walks
Typical duration: Under 3 hours each
Distance per walk: Short, accessible routes (see guide for details)
Walk type: Easy day walks on circular, there-and-back, or linear routes
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; short climbs, no challenging terrain
Navigation: Clear route maps and step-by-step descriptions with numbered points included
Highlights: The Old Man of Storr, Quiraing, Fairy Pools and Coire na Creiche, Rubha Hunish, Dùn Borrafiach, Scorrybreac, Armadale woodland, Boreraig, Camasunary, Ben Tianavaig, and more
Best season: Walkable all year round (weather and conditions permitting; take extra care on exposed or remote paths, especially in winter or poor visibility)

Author Highlight

"Skye is a theatre in which to walk throughout the year. Walkers and climbers head for the heights of the Cuillin (that’s ‘Cuillin’, not ‘Cuillins’, ‘Cuillin Hills’ or ‘the Coolins’; just ‘Cuillin’, which is Gaelic and already plural), but the island offers outdoor adventures for all abilities. As well as walks to iconic landscapes like the Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Pools, this guidebook will help you discover sea lochs, amazing geological features, hidden beaches, Neolithic graves, ruined churches and castles, abandoned villages and stunning island views. " 

- Terry Marsh, author of 15 Short Walks on the Isle of Skye

Using this guide  

Introduction 

Walking on Skye 

Plants and wildlife 

Things to see 

Where to stay 

Getting around 

The Walks 

Walk 1 Scorrybreac and The Bile  

Walk 2 The Old Man of Storr  

Walk 3 Brothers’ Point  

Walk 4 The Quiraing  

Walk 5 Rubha Hunish  

Walk 6 Dun Borrafiach  

Walk 7 Mointeach nan Tarbh and Oisgill Bay  

Walk 8 Lorgill Bay  

Walk 9 Fairy Pools and Coire na Creiche 

Walk 10 Rubh’ an Dunain  

Walk 11 Camasunary  

Walk 12 Armadale woodland  

Walk 13 Boreraig  

Walk 14 Coire-chat-achan 

Walk 15 Ben Tianavaig  

Useful information 

Tourism websites 

Tourist information centre 

Accommodation 

Camping and caravan sites 

Hostels and bunkhouses 

Transport 

Visitor attractions 

Local place names and their meanings 

Seasons

Skye is a place to visit all year, but, be warned, the summer months are not the best partly because of the sheer weight of tourists, but, of greater concern, this is when the dreaded midges are out and about. Visiting off-season is always a good idea; some places may be closed, but the scenery is always there.

Centres

No one centre serves all the walks. Using Portree as a base puts most walks within easy reach, while Broadford will serve the rest.

Difficulty

None of the walks is unduly demanding. Ben Tianavaig is the only mountain included, one that gives a splendid view over the town of Portree. The walk to Camasunary has a fair measure of up and down, but all the remaining walks are easy to moderate in difficulty.

Must See

The Old Man of Storr is an iconic Skye landmark, now more readily accessible following forest clearance. The Quiraing pinnacles, too, are a popular target, as are the Fairy Pools in upper Glen Brittle. Less well-known is the idyllic walk out to Rubh’ an Dunain and the woodland wander around Armadale.

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