The Isle of Skye

Rugged, dramatic and endlessly atmospheric, the Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most spectacular walking destinations. From the jagged Black Cuillin to the wild coastal cliffs and surreal rock formations of Trotternish, this Inner Hebridean island offers some of the most varied and inspiring hiking landscapes in the UK.

This comprehensive Cicerone guidebook helps you explore the Isle of Skye on foot with confidence, featuring 87 walks and scrambles across the island. Covering everything from shorter coastal routes to demanding mountain days in the Cuillin, it combines detailed route descriptions with practical planning advice and expert local insight.

• These 87 walks and scrambles across the Isle of Skye explore diverse regions including Sleat, Strath, Minginish, Duirinish, Waternish and Trotternish, from quiet coastal paths to rugged Highland mountain routes
• Routes range from 2–23km (1–15 miles), making the guidebook suitable for relaxed day walks and full mountain adventures across Skye’s wild landscapes, for both beginners and experienced hikers
• Highlights along the way include the iconic Cuillin mountains, as well as classic viewpoints, dramatic sea cliffs and remote glens that define hillwalking in the Scottish Highlands
• Each walking route is supported by 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey mapping, helping you navigate confidently through Skye’s rugged terrain and remote mountain environments
• Practical information is provided to help you plan your walking holiday, including access points from key centres such as Portree and Broadford, plus advice on facilities, accommodation, and travel around the island

Whether you’re planning your first walking trip to the Isle of Skye or returning to explore deeper into its mountains and coastlines, this guidebook provides everything you need to plan memorable adventures. Discover hidden glens, climb iconic peaks and experience the raw beauty of Skye — one of the most unforgettable walking destinations in Scotland.

Seasons

the weather is variable but tends to be fairest in May/June and September/October, also the times that midges are less abundant; recently, there has been excellent weather in February and November, too. Go prepared for cold, wind and rain

Centres

Portree, Broadford, Dunvegan, Kyleakin, Uig

Difficulty

almost all of the walking routes covered demand a good level of fitness and ability to travel safely in wild countryside in changeable weather and use map and compass; some of the walks are arduous and demanding; some scrambles (clearly identified) involve exposure and require technical ability

Must See

for scramblers, the famous Cuillin ridge; the outstanding coastal scenery and the wacky pinnacles of Storr and the Quiraing; wilderness in abundance

AcknowledgementsPreface

Introduction

History

Geology

Flora and Fauna

How to get there

Facilities and accommodation

Using this guide

Access

Safety

Maps

Paths

Language

The Walks

1 SLEAT AND SOUTH-EAST SKYE

1.1 Gleann Meadhonach, Loch a’Ghlinne and Dalavil

1.2 Acairseid an Rubha and Point of Sleat

1.3 Armadale

1.4 Sgurr na Coinnich

1.5 Beinn na Caillich

1.6 Ben Aslak

1.7 Kylerhea Glen Circuit

1.8 Coastal Path from Loch na Dal to Kylerhea

1.9 Kylerhea Trail

2 STRATH

Broadford

2.1 Broadford Coast Path (Irishman’s Point)

North of Strath Suardal

2.2 Coire Gorm Horseshoe

2.3 Beinn na Cro

2.4 Srath Mór and Srath Beag

South of Strath Suardal

2.5 Suisnish and Boreraig

Cuillin Outliers

2.6 Bla Bheinn

2.7 Sgurr nan Each

2.8 Garbh-bheinn

2.9 Belig

2.10 Glas Bheinn Mhór

2.11 South Ainort Circular

The Red Hills

2.12 Marsco

2.13 The Beinn Deargs

2.14 Glamaig

2.15 Glen Sligachan

Strathaird Peninsula

2.16 Kilmarie to Camasunary

2.17 Camasunary to Elgol

2.18 Suidhe Biorach (Prince Charles’ Cave)

2.19 Rubha na h-Easgainne

2.20 Spar Cave

3 MINGINISH

The Cuillin

3.1 Sgurr nan Gillean

3.2 Sgurr Beag and Sgurr na h-Uamha

3.3 Coire a’Bhasteir Am Basteir

3.4 Sgurr a’Bhasteir

3.5 Fionn Choire, Bealach nan Lice and Sgurr a’Fionn Choire

3.6 Bruach na Frithe

3.7 Coire na Creiche

3.8 Coire a’Ghreadaidh

3.9 Sgurr Thuilm, Sgurr a’Mhadaidh and Sgurr a’Ghreadaidh

3.10 Sgurr na Banachdich and Sgurr nan Gobhar

3.11 Eas Mor and Coire na Banachdich

3.12 Sgurr Dearg and Inaccessible Pinnacle

3.13 Coire Lagan

3.14 Sgurr Alasdair

3.15 Coir’ a’Ghrunnda and Loch Coir’ a’Ghrunnda

3.16The South Cuillin ridge

3.17 Loch an Fhir-bhallaich

3.18 Rubh’ an Dùnain

Glen Sligachan

3.19 Harta and Lota Corries

3.20 Druim Hain and Sgurr na Stri

3.21 Loch Coruisk

Loch Brittle to Loch Bracadale

3.22 Glen Brittle Forest Walk

3.23 Talisker Bay

3.24 Oronsay

4 DUIRINISH

4.1 Loch Bharcasaig, Idrigill Point and MacLeod’s Maidens

4.2 Glen Ollisdal and MacLeod’s Maidens

4.3 Duirinish Coastal Path

4.4 Healabhal Bheag (MacLeod’s Table South)

4.5 Healabhal Mhor (MacLeod’s Table North)

4.6 Lorgill Bay

4.7 Lorgill, The Hoe and Ramasaig Bay

4.8 Waterstein Head

4.9 Neist Point

4.10 Uiginish Point

4.11 The Coral Beaches

4.12 Lovaig Bay

5 WATERNISH

5.1 Ardmore Point

5.2 Unish and Waternish Point

5.3 Beinn an Sguirr

5.4 Loch Diubaig and Greshornish Point

6 TROTTERNISH AND PORTREE

Trotternish

6.1 Meall Tuath and Rubha Hunish

6.2 Loch Sneosdal and Creag Sneosdal

6.3 Loch Hasco

6.4 The Quiraing and Meall na Suiramach

6.5 Meall na Suiramach

6.6 The Old Man of Storr

6.7 The Storr

6.8 The Trotternish Ridge

6.9 Biode Buidhe

6.10 Beinn Edra

6.11 Ruadh nam Brathairean (Brothers’ Point)

6.12 Loch Cuithir, Sgurr a’Mhadaidh Ruaidh and Baca Ruadh

6.13 Inver Tote and the Lealt waterfall

6.14 Bearreraig Bay

6.15 Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing

Portree

6.16 Glen Varrigill Forest Walk

6.17 Ben Tianavaig

6.18 The Braes

APPENDIX 1 Essential and supplementary reading

APPENDIX 2 Glossary of Gaelic words

APPENDIX 3 Useful information and contact details

INDEX