7. Quiraing Walk, Scotland

The Isle of Skye feels like a portal to another dimension where giants roam the land and dinosaurs lay their bones in misty lochs. This majestic Scottish island is home to the looping 6.8-kilometer (4.2 miles) Quiraing Walk, one of the most dramatic day hikes in the world.

The trail begins at a nearby car park and follows a path up the hillside towards the Quiraing plateau. As you ascend, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Trotternish Ridge and the Inner Hebrides, an archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. Some of the most famous features of the Quiraing are the Needle—a tall, narrow pinnacle of rock that juts out from the plateau—and the Prison—a jagged tower of grass and rock dominating the skyline.

Also notable is the Table, a flat-topped rock formation that offers a great spot to rest and take in the view. Once you reach the top of the hill, you’ll find yourself on the Quiraing plateau, which is a unique landscape of rocky outcrops, deep gullies, and steep cliffs. The trail follows the edge of the plateau, offering sweeping views of the surrounding terrain.

About the author

Marko Bucic

57hours Writer and Bouldering Enthusiast

For Marko, literature came first and the outdoors followed. Lermontov took him galloping across the Caucasus, Wordsworth brought him along for a tour of the Lake District, and Conrad sent him sailing down the Congo—but for better or worse, it was 57hours that got him to climb his first route outside. When he’s not penning articles, you can find him in the bouldering gym, taking photos on the streets of Zagreb, or at home brushing up on his Japanese skills.