There is nothing better to do on Skye than getting out into the hills. Going out for walks on Skye can also be the surest way of escaping the tourist trail and finding the island all to yourself.
From the foreboding and jagged peaks of the Black Cuillins to breathtaking coastal paths and even shorter strolls through hidden glens and forests, Skye has hikes and walks for just about everyone.
The Waternish peninsula is one of Skye's most scenic and boasts a number of spectacular coastal walks with unparalleled sea views across to the Outer Hebrides.
WATERNISH (NORTH WEST SKYE)
Difficulty: 2/5
5.6 miles (9 km), 2 – 2.5 hrs
Start from Mint Croft!
Gillen Beach is the nearest sandy bay to Mint Croft and offers stunning views over Loch Snizort from almost every part of the walk.
Most of the walk is along the tarmac road down to the small crofting village of Gillen, followed by a farm track which can be a little boggy in places, before picking up a steep but well-made farm road leading down to the bay.
For a shorter version of this walk on Skye, park at the end of the Gillen road.
WATERNISH (NORTH WEST SKYE)
Difficulty: 2/5
8.5 miles (13.5 km), 3-4 hrs
10 mins drive to start point from Mint Croft
Waternish Point is the remote northerly tip of the peninsula where Mint Croft is located. It’s a relatively easy coastal walk with rough trails most of the way, and wonderful sea views from start to finish.
A great spot to watch for wildlife such as whales, dolphins, seals and sea birds too!
WATERNISH (NORTH WEST SKYE)
Difficulty: 4/5
13.25 miles (21.5 km), 6-8 hrs
Start from Mint Croft!
A much longer and more challenging walk that incorporates the Waternish Point walk, but which is hands down the best circular hike directly from the Mint Croft doorstep and one of the best Isle of Skye hikes!
What makes this walk a bit more arduous is the thick heather that makes up roughly the first third of the headland north of Geary, and so we recommend walking the circuit anti-clockwise from Mint Croft to get the tricky bit out of the way first. This way you can always double back if it’s trickier than you imagined!
WATERNISH (NORTH WEST SKYE)
Difficulty: 2/5
7.1 miles (11.4 km), 2.5 - 3 hrs
Start from Mint Croft!
This is a lovely walk along the Isle of Skye cliff tops that can be seen above Gillen Beach from Mint Croft, before cutting inland over the moorland atop Cnoc Breac, a nearby hill, and back around to Gillen along well-made forestry roads.
Like the Gillen Beach walk, this walk can be shortened by about an hour by driving to the carpark at the end of the Gillen road.
WATERNISH (NORTH WEST SKYE)
Difficulty: 1/5
2 miles (3.2 km), 1 hrs
10 mins drive to start point from Mint Croft
A picturesque loop around Stein, Camus Lusta and Lusta with views across Loch Bay towards the Outer Isles. Involves a little bit of scrambling across the beach pebbles before a steep road back up to the B886 road, but otherwise a fairly straightforward walk.
Local information website, Visit Waternish has more more local walks around the Waternish penisula.
Here, we have curated a selection of our favourite walks in the rest of the island. However, for a comprehensive catalogue of Skye walks you can check out Walk Highlands or any of the guidebooks to the best hikes on the Isle of Skye found in our cottages.
ULLINISH (NORTH WEST SKYE)
Difficulty: 2/5
3 miles (5 km), 2 – 2.5 hrs
40 mins drive to start point from Mint Croft
Only accessible during low tide, this is a seriously fun walk with superb views of Skye’s rugged western seaboard. There are also some hidden caves along the southern edge to be explored by the more intrepid walker. Be careful to check the tide times before setting out!
DUNVEGAN (NORTH WEST SKYE)
Difficulty: 1/5
1.75 miles (3 km), 45 mins - 1 hr
25 mins drive to start point from Mint Croft
An easy walk on Skye that includes two churches, one a charming old ruin, and a standing stone erected by the villagers on midsummer’s day 2000. Much of the walk is through mixed woodland and forestry plantation, although the open parts offer spectacular views towards the Cuillins to the south, and Macleod’s Tables to the west.
RAMASAIG (NORTH WEST SKYE)
Difficulty: 3/5
10 miles (16 km), 5 - 6 hrs
1 hr drive to start point from Mint Croft
For many people visiting Skye, Neist Point is a must-see, however, in recent years its soaring popularity means you’ll be joining hundreds of other tourists and plenty of traffic on our small island roads if you go. So if you’re feeling fit and healthy we recommend this wonderful walk along dramatic coastline which takes you up and down three towering coastal cliffs and gives you a bird’s eye view of Neist Point along with glimpses of Macleod’s Maidens and sweeping sea views towards the Outer Isles.
TORRIN (SOUTH SKYE)
Difficulty: 4/5
5 miles (8 km), 5 - 6 hrs
1 hr 30 mins drive to start point from Mint Croft
In our opinion, Blà Bheinn is the most magnificent of the Cuillin mountains – a majestic hill of black rock set slightly apart from the main Cuillin Ridge, it’s a rocky but straightforward ascent that offers spectacular views especially from the top.
STAFFIN (NORTH EAST SKYE)
Difficulty: 2/5
2.25 miles (3.5 km), 1 - 2 hrs
1 hr 5 mins drive to start point from Mint Croft
A short walk on a decent path down to the shore from which you can continue out along steeper trails to the dramatic headland marking the easternmost point of Trotternish. On a good, clear day the views from this point southwards over the Cuillin are truly spectacular.
There are many more great walks on Skye, and far too many for us to list here. Those we have included are mostly on the easy to moderate level of difficulty, with one or two exceptions; however, if you are staying with us and are an experienced hiker keen on finding the more challenging routes on Skye then let us know and we will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Walking and hiking through the dramatic landscapes of Skye is without doubt the best way to truly explore the rugged wilderness of this island. However, you do so at your own risk and Mint Croft accepts no liability in connection with any walks or hikes undertaken.
In particular, we wish to stress that all the walks listed here are recommendations only and not official guides and it is advised that you properly research your route and plan ahead.
Please always remember to shut gates wherever you go and to respect the countryside around you. For full guidance please see the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
