Old Man of Storr
Hiking the Old Man of Storr is the most famous and main attraction on Skye. The hike is around 2.5 – 3 miles roundtrip, starting near the parking lot and climbing up to enjoy some magnificent views of the surrounding area. Plan to spend about 2 – 3 hours on the hike, considering time to stop for photos along the way and take-in the scenary. Since the hike is popular, consider getting an early start to avoid the crowds. If you are starting the climb around 8:00-9:00, you will be able to take advantage of the surrounding views without large groups of people alongside you.
Brothers Point
Also known as the peninsula of Rubha Nam Brathairean, Brothers Point is scenic view of rolling hills along the water. The start of the hike can be tough to find as it looks like a driveway off the main road, and there is minimal parking nearby to call attention to the hike. It is an out and back hike, first heading down to the water and along the coast out to Brothers Point. On your way back, you will re-trace your steps and climb back up to where you began. 1-1.5 hours should be enough time to complete the 2.25 miles roundtrip hike. This hike tends to be much quieter and is less likely to be busy with crowds, making it a good stop for a mid-day hike.
Kilt Rocks and Mealt Falls
The Kilt Rocks and Mealt Falls are located 5 minutes from the Brothers Point parking lot, just off the main road A855. These large rocks are cliffside with sharp, 90m drops. Depending on the season, a waterfall will flow over the Kilt Rocks.
Lealt Falls
Small waterfall not too far from Brother’s Point.
Quiraing Trail
This hike is the second most famous when visiting Skye, behind Old Man of Storr. The walk is 4.3 miles and takes about 2-3 hours. The hike is a loop and goes along the cliffside. The views are beautiful, but on a cloudy day, a lot of the hike can be fogged over making it a bit difficult to find the trail. If there are plenty of people around, this will be okay, but tougher if you have started early to avoid crowds. Parking is somewhat limited at the trailhead and the hike can get very busy in the late morning / early afternoon so it is a good hike to start the day with and be on your way with an earlier start.
Dunvegan Castle & Gardens
In order to visit the Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, you must pay to enter. However, if you drive past the castle parking lot towards the Coral Beach, there is a nice view of the castle from the road.
Coral Beach in Claigan
A white sand beach and light blue, tropical water, feels very out of place in Scotland. Coral Beach can be found about 10 minutes from the Dunvegan Castle on the NW coast. Walking out to the beach takes about 20 minutes from the parking lot. The walk is easy and worth it for a different view. If it is a nice day, there may even be swimmers, but the water is quite chilly.
Neist Point Lighthouse
Neist Point is a beautiful spot to take in panoramic views of the surrounding area. Looking out over the ocean and around the rolling cliffs is stunning, and many like to venture here for the sunset. When visiting the lighthouse, you will have to make a steep walk downhill and continue the general downward descent until you reach the lighthouse. Since the walk is an out and back, you will have an upward climb to look forward to on the way back to your car. Do not let this scare you away though as the walk is not too long and provides very nice views. The lighthouse itself is dated, but the views around it are worth the walk.
Talisker Whiskey Distillery
The Talisker Whiskey Distillery is about 30 minutes from Portree. The Distillery offers tours and tasting, but make sure to book in advance especially if visiting during peak season.
Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools are another favorite site to see while visiting the Isle of Skye. It is an out and back trail, about 2 miles, which runs along a stream and has a few, very clear waterbeds where people may wade into the water. The path is relatively flat and is suitable for most to join. For this reason, the Fairy Pools will be busy during the day and is another good option to hit early. The parking lot is very large, and more commercialized than others as it even has a proper parking attendant. Part of the beauty of the Fairy pools comes with the backdrop of the Black Cuillin Mountains.
Cuillin Mountain Range
The Cuillin Mountain Range provides some beautiful landscapes. If planning to be in Skye for 3+ days, consider exploring the mountains on a hike. Although not what brings people to Skye typically, the mountains provide more opportunities to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.
Fairy Glen
This is a short, very easy walk through a unique terrain. The Fairy Glen has a fairytale feel to it, with the green mounds scattered throughout the area. Budget less than an hour in for this stop, unless you plan on sitting in the Glen a bit. To access the Fairy Glen, you will need to venture off the main road. Drive until you reach the parking lot and then it is an easy walk from there.
Boat trip
Another nice option if visiting Isle of Skye for 3+ days is to take a boat trip. One common route is from Elgol to Loch Coruisk, which sits in the Cuillin Mountain Range. The Loch takes awhile to get to and therefore accessing it by boat is a great option. Once at the lake, the walk around the lake is 6.6 miles.
Portree Harbor
The town of Portree has a cute harbor with colorful houses lining the water. The town is very small, but is worth a stop through if you are not staying in Portree.
