Hiking the Quiraing Walk on the Isle of Skye: Everything You Need to Know

If you are looking for one of the most beautiful places to hike in Scotland, the Isle of the Skye is for you. It has hikes along its rocky coast and lush green highlands, with stunning views everyone will enjoy. And one of the most beautiful hikes is the Quiraing Walk.

When we visited the Isle of Skye, the Quiraing Walk was at the top of my bucket list. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The hike offered breathtaking views of the surrounding highlands, and it quickly became one of my favorite hikes in Scotland!

If you want to hike the Quiraing Walk, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about the Quiraing Walk, so you can add it to your bucket list.

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The Quiraing Walk Overview

The Quiraing is my favorite hike in Scotland because the views are breathtaking! The entire hike offers incredible views of the surrounding highlands, especially if you hike it on a clear day.

If you visit Isle of Skye, I highly recommend adding the Quiraing Walk to your itinerary! It will quickly become one of your favorite hikes.

the Quiraing Walk Length and Difficulty

The Quiraing Walk is a 4.2-mile round-trip loop with about 1,400 feet of elevation gain. The trail gains most of its elevation in the first section of the loop when hiking it clockwise, which I recommend so you can get the steepest section out of the way first!

When hiking the Quiraing Walk clockwise, the first section climbs a steep trail to the top of the ridge, gaining over 1,000 feet of elevation in a mile. The last half of the loop is pretty flat, making it perfect to save for last.

trailhead Parking

The Quiraing Walk trailhead is off a road that was a bit of an adventure to drive, to say the least. The road leading to the parking lot is off A855 about three miles north of Mealt Falls.

The road is one lane similar to most roads on the Isle of Skye, but there are a few sections that can cause a headache if it is crowded. Right before the Quiraing Walk parking lot, the road has a few steep switchbacks winding up the hill. If people are waiting for a parking spot because the lot is full, the traffic can back up onto this section. We saw a bus get stuck on this section, which was pretty scary to watch.

To avoid the midday traffic leading to the trailhead, I recommend starting the hike first thing in the morning. The parking lot is pretty small and fills up quickly. We started the hike later in the day, and the traffic near the trailhead was awful.

Best Time to Hike

Although you can hike the Quiraing Walk year-round, I recommend hiking it in the warmer months. The Isle of the Skye is known to be wet, with about 265 days a year of rain, and the wettest seasons tend to be autumn and winter.

April, May, and June tend to be the driest months, and we visited in May because it is usually dry and has fewer crowds. It only rained one day during our week in Scotland, and we had beautiful sunny weather for the two days we were on the Isle of Skye, allowing us to enjoy hiking the Quiraing Walk in the sunshine!

What to Pack for the Hike

Scotland is known for its rainy and moody days, and the highlands are no different. The weather is also unpredictable in the highlands, making it crucial to pack the appropriate gear.

You should have supportive shoes with good traction, like hiking boots, layers for the time of year you are hiking, a rain jacket, and a backpack with water, snacks, and layers. And last but not least, make sure to pack the Ten Essentials.

The Quiraing Walk Hiking Guide

**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly.

The Quiraing Walk is one of the most popular hikes on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, for good reasons! It is one of the most beautiful hikes with breathtaking views of the surrounding highlands. If it is not on your Scotland bucket list, I recommend adding it!

The Quiraing Walk Trailhead is across the street from the main parking area. This parking lot is also the trailhead for the hike to Bioda Buidhe, so it fills up quickly.

Once across the street, the trail quickly approaches the junction for the loop. Although you can hike it in either direction, I recommend hiking it clockwise to get the steepest section out of the way first. I always think it is easier to ascend a steep trail than descend it.

The next 0.6 miles of the Quiraing Walk climbs about 600 feet, making it steep. But if you need to take a break, you can enjoy the stunning views looking behind you towards the highlands. Once at the top of the first incline, the views are incredible! The trail then continues ascending along another steep section for about a half-mile before reaching the highest point along the Quiraing Walk.

The Quiraing Walk begins to descend from the tallest point to Fir Bhreugach for almost a mile. The views along this section overlooking the ocean are beautiful! Once at Fir Bhreugach, you get stunning views overlooking the valley below along the Quiraing Walk. Since it is the mid-point of the hike, it is a great place to enjoy a snack before finishing the Quiraing Walk.

The Quiraing Walk descends into the valley below Fir Bhreugach before flattening out as it travels along its floor. When we hiked the Quiraing Walk, it was very hot and sunny, so we loved having some shade while hiking along the valley floor.

The trail begins the final ascent along the Quiraing Floor before flattening out and traveling around the Prison. And do not worry, the Prison is not actually a prison. It is a beautiful rock formation!

Once past the Prison, the rest of the Quiraing Walk is relatively flat and has some of the best views along the entire trail, in my opinion. The views of the surrounding highlands are unmatched! This section of the trail also has some steep drop-offs, but as someone who does not love heights, I did okay hiking along it!

Along the final mile of the Quiraing Walk, there is one section that is a little precarious. The trail crosses a stream, which sounds easy, but it is pretty slippery even without much water. We took our time crossing along the slippery rocks, but once we were past that, it was smooth sailing! Soon enough, the Quiraing Walk loops back towards the parking lot.

Once you hike the Quiraing Walk, you will see why it is one of the most popular hikes on the Isle of Skye! The views are unmatched, making them my favorite in Scotland.

If you want to hike other trails near the Quiraing Walk:

The Prison Walk - 2.5 miles round trip: This hike is a great alternative if you do not want to hike the entire Quiraing Walk loop.
Meall Na Suiramach and the Quiraing - 5.3 miles round trip: If you want to make the Quiraing Walk longer, you can continue past Fir Bhreugach to another viewpoint.
Bioda Buidhe - 2.5 miles round trip: This hike is across the street from the Quiraing Walk and offers beautiful views of the surrounding highlands.

If you want to hike the Quiraing Walk, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about hiking the Quiraing Walk on the Isle of Skye.