The Best Walks & Hikes On the Isle of Skye

A curated guide to the best walks on the Isle of Skye, from short coastal paths and scenic viewpoints to longer hill walks and classic island routes.

Isle of Skye

The best way to experience the Isle of Skye is absolutely on a hike. Beyond the famous landmarks, it’s on foot that you discover the quieter edges where the island truly comes to life, and the most breathtaking views are always from a trail.

After dozens of days walking and hiking on Skye, I have a list of absolute favourite walks, all reasonably straightforward, but with genuinely spectacular views worth strapping your hiking boots on for.

So, if I were visiting Skye, whether for the first time or a return visit, I would choose: Coral Beach, Oronsay Island, The Old Man, Brothers Point, and Rubha Hunish.

Safe to say, you’ll find short viewpoint strolls, accessible coastal paths, waterfall walks, woodland trails and more demanding mountain routes across the island.

The point is, be sure to add at least one or two walks to your Skye itinerary - because getting outdoors here is a wild and amazing experience, one you won’t get from looking out the window.

Here are our favourite Skye walks and hikes, with locations to help you decide which routes make sense for your trip. And, with Skye’s most popular trails, we’ll help you avoid the crowds!

Quick Guide: Skye’s Best Walks

These are the Skye walks I always return to - trails I genuinely think are worth your time. You’ll find detailed route guides, starting points and parking information in the linked posts below:

• The Old Man of Storr (Trotternish): best for a short hike with big views

• The Quiraing (Trotternish): best for iconic Skye landscapes

• Blà Bheinn (Strathaird): best for a challenging mountain hike

• Coral Beach (nr Dunvegan): best for an easy coastal stroll

• Brothers Point (Trotternish): best for a moderate coastal hike

• Rubha Hunish Lookout Bothy (Trotternish): best for a remote coastal walk

• Rha Falls (Trotternish): best for an easy waterfall walk

• Oronsay Island (nr Dunvegan): best for a tidal adventure away from the crowds

• McLeod’s Maidens (nr Dunvegan): best for a very remote, long trail with big views

Or take a scroll through these walks, hikes, waterfalls, and outdoor adventures:

What To Know About Walking on the Isle of Skye

Being such a large island, the truth is you could spend a full month here walking trails into the mountains, glens, and along the coast. But I know not everyone has time for every trail, especially when you’re balancing hikes with scenic drives, distilleries, wildlife stops, and time to soak it all in.

Whichever route you choose, one thing remains true: the Isle of Skye feels far bigger on the ground than it appears on a map, so a thoughtful plan makes all the difference.

Getting around

The easiest way to get around Skye’s walking trails is by car - it’ll give you the greatest flexibility. That said, a local bus runs from Portree around Trotternish and stops at the Old Man of Storr, Flodigarry, and Rubha Hunish, but services are infrequent, so you’ll need to be mindful of timing.

Practical Tips for Walking on Skye

I’ve walked this island in bright sunshine, heavy rain, and low cloud that completely erases the ridgelines. Across every season and every corner of Skye, the same thing always feels true: the island rewards those who slow down and move through it thoughtfully.

Some hikes here are ambitious from the outset. Others seem relatively modest until you’re out in the landscape and realise how expansive they feel. The well-known walks are often worth doing, but they’re far from the only places that leave an impression.

The key is not doing everything.

It’s choosing the right walk for the conditions, your base on the island, and your experience level. If this is your first visit, try not to think in terms of ticking places off. Consider where you’re staying, the route you’re already driving, and what the weather is doing that day. On Skye, conditions shape the experience more than any fixed itinerary ever will.