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Isle of Skye hiker

Isle of Skye Hiking Tour: A Week in Scotland’s Mythical Island

7 days | Moderate | 5.00
From $3,049 ()
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The Isle of Skye is one of those places that earns every superlative thrown at it, and then some. Over seven days, we hike through some of the most dramatic landscapes in Britain: the twisted rock formations of the Quiraing, the iconic silhouette of the Old Man of Storr, and the wild heart of the Cuillin Mountains, reached by boat across a remote Scottish loch. We keep our groups small and our routes off the beaten path, which means fewer crowds and better views. Evenings bring home-cooked meals and sea views from our waterfront beach house. Scotland at its very finest.

Adventure Highlights

  • Scotland's most dramatic quest: From the Trotternish Ridge to the Cuillin Mountains, we hike Skye’s most iconic landscapes on routes that keep well clear of the crowds
  • Wildlife, castles, and wild swimming: Scan the coastline for dolphins and whales, explore the grounds of Dunvegan Castle, and dip into a waterfall pool in the Cuillins
  • A beach house to come home to: A newly renovated waterfront home with sea views, a hot tub, and a barrel sauna is waiting at the end of every hiking day
Duration
7 days
Season
April through October
Group size
Up to 6 people
Accommodation
Comfort: Charming beach house
Difficulty
Moderate: Good fitness required, hiking up to 16 km (10 mi) of hiking per day, with 1,000 m (3,280 ft) of elevation gain
What's included
Guide, lodging, all meals, transfers, boat trip, entry to Dunvegan Castle

The adventure, day by day

Let’s go on a 7-day hiking tour of Scotland’s legendary Isle of Skye, where every trail tells a story! From the towering spires of the Quiraing to the serene beauty of Loch Coruisk, we’ll explore hidden paths, iconic landmarks, and wildlife-rich coastlines. Along the way, we’ll enjoy local cuisine, cozy hotel stays, and the expertise of friendly guides. Highlights include castle visits, waterfall hikes, and panoramic views of the Outer Hebrides. This trip offers a perfect blend of adventure and comfort, showcasing the best Skye has to offer in one incredible week.

Day 1: Arrival
Sunny Inverness

Your guides will pick you up from Inverness city centre (outside the train station) at midday. Then, you’ll be transported to Skye (around 4 hours including stops), via Loch Ness and Eilean Donan Castle. You’ll check in to your hotel, which will be the base for the entire trip, and then we’ll have a welcome dinner.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Beach house

Day 2: Quiraing point to point
Hiking to Quiraing

Today, Quiraing will be the perfect introduction to Skye, as we tour around one of the world’s most unique landscapes formed by Europe’s largest landslip. We have our own route which largely steers clear of the crowds and also takes in the best views.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 10 mi / 16 km, 5-6 hours
Elevation gain: +700 m / +2,296 ft
Accommodation: Beach house

Day 3: Rubha Hunish circular coast hike
Rubha Hunish on a cloudy day

We’ll explore the very northern peninsula of the island, which offers panoramic views over the sea to the Outer Hebrides and back to the mountains of mainland Scotland. This is an excellent location for wildlife spotting, with a number of colonies of nesting sea birds, as well as the chance to spot dolphins and whales. This will be a relaxed day after the previous day’s hike, but there is no better place to sit and watch nature than here. The day’s hike is around 3-4 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Elevation gain: +200 m / +656 ft
Accommodation: Beach house

Day 4: Old Man of Storr point to point
Hiker near Old Man Storr

This is the most demanding of the hikes but the views make all the effort worthwhile. The Old Man of Storr is Skye’s most iconic landmark and the most popular tourist location on the island. However, we’ll hike in from the north, along the Trotternish Ridge, which avoids the crowds and also offers superior views. The first view of the Old Man (an enormous protruding rock) will take your breath away. This hike typically takes 6-7 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 10 mi / 16 km, 6-7 hours
Elevation gain: +900 m / +2,952 ft
Accommodation: Beach house

Day 5: Waterfalls, castles, and clifftops
Aerial view of Dunvegan castle

Today is another relaxed day to rest tired legs. We’ll start with a short hike (each way) into the Cuillin Mountains to a series of waterfalls that offer great wild swimming or photo opportunities. After lunch, we’ll head to Scotland’s oldest continually inhabited castle, Dunvegan Castle, to explore the beautiful gardens before heading to a remote lighthouse at the very western most point of Skye, Neist Point. We will take a short hike along the clifftops, another popular location for whale spotting.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Beach house

Day 6: Cuillin Mountains
Loch Coruisk

Our final day of hiking takes us through the heart of the Cuillin Mountains. We’ll start with a scenic boat ride to one of Scotland’s most remote lochs, Loch Coruisk. From here, we’ll summit a small peak that has been described as “Britain’s best view”. You can be the judge of this, as you will have already seen some amazing views over the previous days. Afterwards, we’ll have a long but easy hike through Glen Sligachan to our end point, where transport will be waiting to take us back to our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 10 mi / 16 km
Elevation gain: +500 m / +1,640 ft
Accommodation: Beach house

Day 7: Departure day
Aerial view of Inverness

After breakfast, we will start the journey back to Inverness (3 hours), arriving around midday. Flights should not be booked before 3pm and trains not before 1pm. We’ll say our goodbyes and depart back home.

Meals: Breakfast

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What others say about this adventure

5.00 (2 reviews)
K
Kathleen T.

Hikes were a challenge as expected. We had a great time

K
Kurt Meyer

Harry was our guide. I wish to carry on a bit about his guide services, but first, prior to our adventure, he was communicative, tracking on the weather beginning three or four days out, emailing alternatives, etc. long before we met up with him this AM. This is top-flight service. When we hiked with him today, he had altered our plans appropriately to have us returned safe and dry before powerful — but anticipated — winds and heavy rains had their say (yes, we experienced brief bursts of both). Throughout our hike and during the span of his services, Harry was unfailingly knowledgeable, interesting, interested, positive, supportive, and in every way committed to providing a safe, compelling, high-quality experience. We have taken many hikes over the years… some good, some less good. This surfaces as one of the very best, thanks in large measure to Harry’s outstanding leadership, his easy manner, and his winning personality. GREAT guide, well prepared; terrific experience, highest possible rating.

5.00(2 reviews)
K
Kathleen T.

Hikes were a challenge as expected. We had a great time

K
Kurt Meyer

Harry was our guide. I wish to carry on a bit about his guide services, but first, prior to our adventure, he was communicative, tracking on the weather beginning three or four days out, emailing alternatives, etc. long before we met up with him this AM. This is top-flight service. When we hiked with him today, he had altered our plans appropriately to have us returned safe and dry before powerful — but anticipated — winds and heavy rains had their say (yes, we experienced brief bursts of both). Throughout our hike and during the span of his services, Harry was unfailingly knowledgeable, interesting, interested, positive, supportive, and in every way committed to providing a safe, compelling, high-quality experience. We have taken many hikes over the years… some good, some less good. This surfaces as one of the very best, thanks in large measure to Harry’s outstanding leadership, his easy manner, and his winning personality. GREAT guide, well prepared; terrific experience, highest possible rating.

Things to know

  • Included:

      • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • 7-day Isle of Skye hiking tour in Scotland
      • Accommodation for 6 nights in a charming beach house (double occupancy)
      • All meals (all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners)
      • Pick-up from Inverness and transport to Skye
      • Transport to the start/end point of all hikes
      • Boat trip to Loch Coruisk
      • Entry to Dunvegan Castle Gardens

    Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):

      • Hiking poles rental

    Not included:

      • Flights to and from Scotland
      • Airport transfers
      • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
      • Alcoholic beverages
      • Guide gratuities — optional
      • Travel and medical insurance — optional
  • In order to join this Isle of Skye hiking tour, you must be hill-fit, meaning that you must be able to hike over uneven terrain for up to 10 mi (16 km) per day, with 1,000 m (3,280 ft) of elevation gain. You must be comfortable with heights, as we will be walking along elevated exposed ridges and cliff tops.

    For more hiking adventures in Scotland, click here!

  • Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

      • Day pack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (around a 25-40L bag)
      • Hiking poles — optional, can be rented
      • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
      • Waterproof hiking boots (worn-in)
      • Comfortable hiking clothes
      • Spare clothes for layering
      • Waterproof rain jacket
      • Waterproof trousers
      • Toiletries (sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitizer, etc.)
      • Headlamp or flashlight
      • Sunglasses
      • Camera — optional (but recommended)

    Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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  • Group sizes and pricing

      • For this Isle of Skye hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
      • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 6 participants.

    Hiking in Scotland can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors above the age of 16 may be permitted to join the Isle of Skye hiking tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • The starting point of your Isle of Skye hiking tour is Inverness. To get there, most people fly into Inverness Airport (INV). From there, you can take a shuttle service or use public transport to reach Inverness.

    Once you’re there, you will meet your guide at a predetermined time in Inverness town center. Your guide will provide more information before the adventure begins.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

    Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  • Deposits

    You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

    Cancellations

    Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

    Basic

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Flexible

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Super Flexible

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
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