Overview
Introduction to the Highlights of The Hebridean Way
The Outer Hebrides are a special part of the British Isles, encompassing 15 inhabited and over 50 uninhabited islands. The wet, windswept and rocky landscape, fringed with long sandy beaches and precious machair, holds a magic that can't really be found elsewhere.
The Hebridean Way joins Vatersay in the South with Stornoway, on Lewis, in the North. We take a 'highlights of' approach to this trek, selecting the sections we think you will most enjoy. Underfoot can be very challenging with plenty of boggy rough ground to negotiate - this is most certainly a route where waterproof boots and gaiters come into there own. However, the effort to walk through this terrain is more than made up for by the incredible views.
Our 7 walking days will cover 84 miles with a fantastic variety of hill, valley and coastal walking. We will walk along those long stretches of sandy beaches, pass historical sites and visit many of the small villages of the islands. Counter to convention we walk the route North to South, but as with all our treks we have vehicle support allowing us to make changes to our itinerary should the weather dictate.
Highlights of the Highlights of The Hebridean Way
- Visit the fascinating Callanish stones
- Walk from Lewis to Vatersay through the island chain of the Western Isle
- Unrivalled views of Luskentyre beach on Harris
- Picturesque ferry journeys between the isles
- Walking the sandy coastline of South Uist
- Summitting Beinn Tangabhal on Barra
- Excellent for wildlife
What's Included with this Holiday
- A qualified Mountain Leader on each day of the trek
- A Trek Manager to support the group
- A Hebridean Way Information Pack
- Accommodation on a B&B basis
- Luggage transfer
- Maximum group size of 7
- Support Vehicle
- All connecting ferry tickets
What to Expect from the Highlights of The Hebridean Way
Our highlights of the Hebridean Way means you can expect some wonderful landscapes to be walking through. Underfoot is everything from pathless boggy terrain to road walking. We have taken out many miles of road walking as we know this isn’t always the most rewarding. There are some steep hills to climb and some longer days, and previous experience of walking on rougher ground is recommended. However, as with most of our treks we have the support setup meaning you don’t have to walk every mile if you don’t want to.
Why Book With Us
We offer a package including guiding but also dedicated support. Your trek manager will drive the support vehicle and be on hand to support the group and the guide throughout. We have everything covered to give us the best chance of success.
Is the Highlights of The Hebridean Way Right For Me?
This is suitable for walkers with a good level of walking fitness and a sense of adventure. The terrain more than the mileage will provide the challenge on this trek.
Highlights of The Hebridean Way Guided Walking Itinerary
Daily Plan
Each day you will be guided along the Hebridean Way to the next B&B. There is no need for you to worry about being lost, we will be with you from the moment you set off in the morning to the moment you enter your B&B in the evening. Your main luggage will be transported to your next B&B for you. We have everything arranged for you, so that all you need to worry about is the walking itself!
Day 1: Arrival
Today we will take the evening ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway. This will give you most of the day to get to Ullapool. We will arrive in Stornoway quite late in the day but our first day of walking is a short one.
Accommodation Stornoway
Day 2: Walking to Tarbert
In the morning we will leave Stornoway in the minibus and head for the Callanish Stones (although off the main route this shouldn't be missed). We will travel through Lewis to Scaladale on Harris. We will then set out on foot through the hills of Harris. We start as we mean to go on, on wet grassy track, before heading for a higher pass through to Gleann Lacasdall. The track improves alongside the loch - a good place to listen out for the drumming of the snipe. We will meet the van at the road for a quick transfer to Tarbert itself. Distance: 11km/6.5miles; Ascent: 250m; Time: 3-4hrs.
Accommodation Tarbert
Day 3: Walking to Seilebost
Beginning just south of Tarbert we will follow the coast on a combination of rough coastal trail, road and made paths. We will walk the Golden Road to Greosabhaigh and then the coffin road up and over to Seilebost. Time allowing, we will pay a visit to the famous beach of Luskentyre. We will get fantastic views of this tomorrow from the next section of the trail. Distance: 22km/13.5miles; Ascent: 500m; Time: 6-7hrs.
Accommodation Tarbert
Day 4: Walking to Leverburgh
Today begins with some really tricky walking. We ascend a steep, boggy and rocky slope, following the way markers as best we can to gain height. It will be slow going but once we reach our high point the views are nothing short of sensational. You will soon forget the curses you uttered on ascent! From here our route continues over rough and boggy terrain but the views continue to make up for this. A raised bank somewhat aids in raising the path out of the wet as we approach Scarista. A section through the dunes is delightful before we again head for the hills. A short grassy climb gains Gleann Uachdrach, where a few more kms of squelching awaits. We meet the road near Loch na Cartach and descend into the port of Leverburgh. Distance: 19km/12 miles; Ascent: 500m; Time: 7-8hrs.
Accommodation Leverburgh/Tarbert
Day 5: Walking Berneray and Beinn Mhor
Today we take the morning ferry across the Sound of Harris to Berneray, a crossing that takes one hour. We will break our walking into two sections. Firstly, and although not on the official Hebridean Way, the chance to explore Berneray is not to be missed. We will walk almost all the way round the island taking in its heights, its beaches and an interesting memorial. After a short transfer across the causeway to North Uist we will re-join the Hebridean Way for a hike over Beinn Mhor. This hill is just under 200m in height but is an excellent viewpoint. We descend to pick our way through the lochans, both freshwater and tidal, by the complex east coast of this island. We will complete our walking where we meet the road before a transfer to Lochmaddy. Distance: 14km/8.5miles; Ascent: 304m; Time: 4.5-5.5hrs.
Accommodation Lochmaddy
Day 6: Walking to Liniclate
Again we will split this day in two. We will start at Langais woodland, which is full of local, ancient and modern history. Having taken this all in we will arrive at a Pottery where a cafe stop might just be in order. Refreshed we will be transfered to Benbecula via Grimsay and 2 causeways. We will begin walking again with an ascent of Ruabhal. Not exactly mighty at 124m but again a wonderful viewpoint and a good spot for soaring White Tailed Eagles. From here we will descend and head for the west coast of the island. A combination of tracks, road and beaches will take us to our finish in Liniclate. Distance: 21.5km/13.5miles; Ascent: 250m; Time: 7.5-8.5hrs.
Accommodation Liniclate/Daliburgh
Day 7: Walking to Daliburgh
Today is the longest in terms of distance but the going is generally good. Starting from the RSPB reserve at Loch Druidibeag we will head for the coast in shadow of the South Uist mountains. We will follow the sands south 13km before cutting inland to Daliburgh for a good rest. Distance: 27km/16.5miles; Ascent: 115m; Time: 6-7hrs.
Accommodation Liniclate/Daliburgh
Day 8: Walking to Vatersay
The further south we go the more broken the island chain becomes. After catching the morning ferry from Eriskay to Barra we will embark on our final leg of this trek. Climbing away from Tràigh Mhòr, the famous Barra airport, we may be lucky enough to catch a landing on the sands. The first of our 3 hill passes (we save the hilliest day for last) takes us past a impressive boulder overlooking Bagh a Tuath and down to Loch an Duin on boggy trail. We get a short respite from the wetness on a good track before heading for a bealach in the hills to the west. Good track is regained on the far side as we walk through Borve to Tangasdale. We then ascend Beinn Tangabhal where we will get a reminder that although our walk is almost over the spectacular views aren't finished yet! A steep descent to the road completes the difficulties. The remainder of the Hebridean Way is on road (around 6km) to finish on the beautiful beaches of Vatersay. Distance: 21.5km/13miles; Ascent: 745m; Time: 7.5-8.5hrs.
Accommodation Castlebay
Day 9: Departure
This is the end of our trek and a chance to say our farewells. For most, including our guides, this will mean a morning ferry from Castlebay (Barra) to Oban. However, you may wish to stay a bit longer on these islands, that have a reputation for stealing hearts...
Accommodation n/a
Highlights of The Hebridean Way Accommodation Options
Hotels, B&B and Self-Catering
Due to the nature of the isles, the accommodation on his trek is varied. We will make use of small B&Bs, local hotels and even some self-catering type accommodations. All is of a good standard and each will be different to the last. Due to the limitations on accommodation availability we can’t offer a single occupancy room supplement on this trek. The Likelihood is you will be sharing a twin room with another member of our group.
Dates & Prices
The dates of our scheduled treks can be seen below. We also off the option of private bookings for groups. Please get in touch if you'd like to book privately.
| Date of Trek | Availability |
|---|---|
| Saturday 11th May 2024 to Sunday 19th May 2024 | FULL - waiting list available |
| Saturday 24th August 2024 to Sunday 1st September 2024 | FULL - waiting list available |
No Suitable Date?
If there are no dates on this calendar to suit you please let us know, sometimes we can add extra dates if there is enough demand for an extra trip to be added.
Waiting List
If a trek is full but you would like to be added to the waiting list, please do let us know. The waiting list is there so that if anyone drops out of the trek we will contact you and let you know, so you can take their place on the trek instead.
Future Dates
Our trekking calendar is released a year in advance each spring. Keep an eye on the 'Year Planner' in the menu above, or send us a request for an email alert when the latest calendar is published. If you are keen to book early and secure a trek on a date to suit you, do feel free to get in contact with us to suggest a date
Pricing
Price for Hotels, B&B and Self-Catering:
The price of this trip is £1599 per person (based on two sharing).
To book this trip we will require a £300 deposit per person with the rest to be paid a month before your trip.
If you are booking as a solo traveller and happy to share a twin room with another solo traveller of the same sex the price is £1599.
There is no single supplement available for this trail as rooms are mainly of a shared basis.
How to Book
Booking is simple, you can either phone us, email us or use our online shopping cart below.
Book Highlights of The Hebridean Way Online
What Happens Once you Have Booked
Once we have received your booking (either through the online shopping cart, email or phone). We will then confirm with you that your accommodation option and room type, single, twin or double, is available. We will then send you a full booking form and information about paying your deposit for your trek. All deposits can be paid by cheque, bank transfer or debit/credit card. Once we have received back both your booking form and deposit we will let you know and your place on the trip will be secure.