Guided Hiking Tours on the Isle of Skye, Scotland

Top three reasons to go hiking on the Isle of Skye

Stepping foot on the Isle of Skye feels like entering a fantasy movie
The otherworldly landscapes whisper of mystery and magic
Come for the dramatic views, stay for the engrossing history

There is an island in the northernmost part of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides where fact and fiction seamlessly blend. The Isle of Skye’s outlandish spires, pinnacles, and mountains clad in clouds appear as though transported from a fantasy movie. In this mystical Scottish realm, miles of scenic trails unfurl across verdant hills and valleys where fairies are said to dwell, and brilliant coastal walks brim with lush sea life. This utterly unique and striking location is the setting for a perfect hiking trip you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Find out more about hiking on the Isle of Skye from Gareth Williams, mountain leader and owner of Large Outdoors

Season May through September	Nearest city Glasgow, UK, is 5 hours away
Duration 7 days	Skill level Beginner to intermediate

Book This Adventure

Your escape from reality starts in the historic Uiginish Lodge, where you can relax with a cup of tea or admire the neighbouring castle Dunvegan. The following seven days on Scotland’s misty isle are completely customizable. Depending on your skill level and objectives, as well as the vagaries of weather, your guide will help you choose the most exciting trails and landscapes to explore. Leisurely coastal walks with sea otters splashing around? Seeing the iconic Old Man of Storr, or wandering around on landslides with gravity-defying spires above you? Skye never disappoints.

Itinerary

This week-long trip is designed to make you work up a sweat, but not distract you from the mystical landscapes of the Isle of Skye. Take your pick from all-stars like Quiraing, a majestic landslide where you’d expect to see hobbits on a quest, the staggering staggering rock formations of MacLeod’s Maidens, or historic sites like the Trumpan Church, home to the 1578 clan war between the McLeods and MacDonalds.

Day 1: Arrival
You’ll be picked up from Glasgow. From there, you’ll drive out to Dunvegan and settle in at the historic Uiginish Lodge. Spend your afternoon admiring the nearby loch and castle with a cup of tea in your hand. In the evening, you’ll brief with your guide and have dinner. This is where you’ll be resting from days spent hiking and touring the Isle of Skye.

Days 2-7: Exploring the Isle
Every evening, your group and guide will make plans for the following day. After a filling breakfast, with bagged lunches packed, you’ll venture out to one of Skye’s many stunning trails. If the weather hasn’t changed your plans, you hike the trail of your choice, take photos and explore the town before returning to the lodge. On the last day of your adventure, the guide will take you back to Glasgow.

Meet your guides

Gareth is a Mountain Leader and owner of Large Outdoors. You can find him all over ...

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For over 12 years, Large Outdoors introduced adventurers from around the world to t...

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Things to know

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Scotland please refer to the official website of the Scotland National Health Service.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

- An experienced guide with knowledge of the area
- Transportation throughout the trip
- Accommodation in the lodge
- Breakfasts, packed lunches for walk days, and three evening meals in the lodge
- Optional free collection from Glasgow

What’s not included:

- Transportation to Glasgow
- Four evening meals in local restaurants and pubs
- Optional extra tours and excursions

The best thing about hiking on the Isle of Skye is that there are incredible options for all skill levels. For beginner hikes, if you can walk for four to six hours with little elevation gain, you are good to go! Intermediate hikes will see a little more change in elevation and hikes will start to increase in length, hiking anywhere between four to eight miles. Advanced hikes are full day treks with steep descents and challenging switchbacks. That being said, this trip is mostly catered to beginners and even the longer walks will barely feel like exercise. Your attention will be focused on the stunning vistas around you.

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

- Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
- Hiking poles — optional
- Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
- Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
- Spare clothes for layering
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Sunhat
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, 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.

Group sizes and pricing:

- Groups usually consist of 1 to 12 people per guide.
- All pricing is per person and the cost doesn’t change as your group grows.

If you’re travelling with a larger party, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike 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 meeting location is Glasgow. The easiest way to get there is flying to Glasgow International Airport. From there, you’ll be transferred to Uiginish Lodge, your accommodation in Dunvegan, where you’ll begin your 7-day adventure.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

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