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Hebridean Way Highlights
Arrival day: Arrive in Castlebay
After a scenic ferry from Oban or a flight landing on the beach runway on Barra, your trip begins at your accommodation in Castlebay. This small village with two hotels is the largest settlement on the island.
Hotel in Castlebay (breakfast)
After a scenic ferry from Oban or a flight landing on the beach runway on Barra, your trip begins at your accommodation in Castlebay. This small village with two hotels is the largest settlement on the island.
Hotel in Castlebay (breakfast)
Stage 1: Vatersay to Ardmhor
Blue 4 (grade) 23.9km with 590m ascent, 590m descent
From Castlebay take a taxi to Vatersay to begin the Hebridean Way. The walk starts with one of its most challenging days. There are three distinct climbs, and in good weather you'll experience great views over Barra, back to the mainland and out across the Atlantic. With sections in the hills and the classic Hebridean beaches, this day offers a preview of all to come in the rest of the walk. From the Pier at Ardmhor, take a taxi back to Castlebay for a second night.
Hotel in Castlebay (breakfast)
Blue 4 (grade) 23.9km with 590m ascent, 590m descent
From Castlebay take a taxi to Vatersay to begin the Hebridean Way. The walk starts with one of its most challenging days. There are three distinct climbs, and in good weather you'll experience great views over Barra, back to the mainland and out across the Atlantic. With sections in the hills and the classic Hebridean beaches, this day offers a preview of all to come in the rest of the walk. From the Pier at Ardmhor, take a taxi back to Castlebay for a second night.
Hotel in Castlebay (breakfast)
Stage 2: Eriskay to Dalabrog
Green 2 (grade) 18.2km with 50m ascent, 50m descent
After a morning taxi back to Ardmhor, catch the ferry to Eriskay. Passing across Eriskay and over the causeway onto South Uist, the day has a feeling of moving through the islands. This extremely flat day of walking is split into 2 sections: the first is predominantly on roads, and the second is the Machair Way along the coast.
Hotel in Dalabrog (breakfast)
Green 2 (grade) 18.2km with 50m ascent, 50m descent
After a morning taxi back to Ardmhor, catch the ferry to Eriskay. Passing across Eriskay and over the causeway onto South Uist, the day has a feeling of moving through the islands. This extremely flat day of walking is split into 2 sections: the first is predominantly on roads, and the second is the Machair Way along the coast.
Hotel in Dalabrog (breakfast)
Stage 3: Carinish to Lochmaddy
Blue 2 (grade) 18.4km with 150m ascent, 150m descent
Today's stage crosses North Uist and is a day of three distinct parts. After a taxi transfer from Dalabrog to Carinish, you start the day with a stretch of moorland broken by a short section of single track road, before arriving at Langass Lodge, an old hunting lodge. Then head up the hill behind the lodge, past an old stone cirle. Lastly, finish the day with a flat stretch along the old road, and later the main road before heading into Lochmaddy. This is the largest village on North Uist and hosts a ferry link with Uig on Skye.
Hotel in Lochmaddy (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 18.4km with 150m ascent, 150m descent
Today's stage crosses North Uist and is a day of three distinct parts. After a taxi transfer from Dalabrog to Carinish, you start the day with a stretch of moorland broken by a short section of single track road, before arriving at Langass Lodge, an old hunting lodge. Then head up the hill behind the lodge, past an old stone cirle. Lastly, finish the day with a flat stretch along the old road, and later the main road before heading into Lochmaddy. This is the largest village on North Uist and hosts a ferry link with Uig on Skye.
Hotel in Lochmaddy (breakfast)
Stage 4: Lochmaddy to Berneray
Blue 2 (grade) 17.6km with 210m ascent, 220m descent
The last day on the Southern half of the route, today's route takes you through flat moorland and over a small hill pass, before crossing the final causeway of the trip to reach Berneray. If time allows it's worth exploring Berneray. We love the beach on the North coast.
B&B in Berneray (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 17.6km with 210m ascent, 220m descent
The last day on the Southern half of the route, today's route takes you through flat moorland and over a small hill pass, before crossing the final causeway of the trip to reach Berneray. If time allows it's worth exploring Berneray. We love the beach on the North coast.
B&B in Berneray (breakfast)
Stage 5: Leverburgh to Horgabost
Blue 2 (grade) 18.7km with 300m ascent, 300m descent
Take the morning ferry across the Sound of Harris to Leverburgh. The intricate ferry route, twisting around shallows, is an experience in itself. The first stage on Harris is one of the most varied on the Northern section. Start following the trail through the hills and finish with long views of the white beaches and turquoise seascapes of Northton, Scarista and Horgabost. A low-lying route, the challange of the day is the traverse over wet ground. Finish the day with a taxi to Tarbert.
Hotel in Tarbert (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 18.7km with 300m ascent, 300m descent
Take the morning ferry across the Sound of Harris to Leverburgh. The intricate ferry route, twisting around shallows, is an experience in itself. The first stage on Harris is one of the most varied on the Northern section. Start following the trail through the hills and finish with long views of the white beaches and turquoise seascapes of Northton, Scarista and Horgabost. A low-lying route, the challange of the day is the traverse over wet ground. Finish the day with a taxi to Tarbert.
Hotel in Tarbert (breakfast)
Stage 6: Laxay to Stornoway
Blue 3 (grade) 24.9km with 300m ascent, 320m descent
After a taxi ride to Laxay, the first stretch crosses the moorlands of Lewis on a raised turf path with views stretching from the mainland hills in the East to the island of Great Bernera off the west coast of Lewis. After reaching the small village of Achmore, the route changes and now follows single track roads to the outskirts of Stornoway. We enter town past the delightful Lews Castle, to reach our finish point at Stornoway harbour. Congratulations!
B&B in Stornoway (breakfast)
Blue 3 (grade) 24.9km with 300m ascent, 320m descent
After a taxi ride to Laxay, the first stretch crosses the moorlands of Lewis on a raised turf path with views stretching from the mainland hills in the East to the island of Great Bernera off the west coast of Lewis. After reaching the small village of Achmore, the route changes and now follows single track roads to the outskirts of Stornoway. We enter town past the delightful Lews Castle, to reach our finish point at Stornoway harbour. Congratulations!
B&B in Stornoway (breakfast)
Departure Day: Depart from Stornoway
Enjoy your last breakfast in Stornoway before departing from the trip. Take the ferry to Ullapool and enjoy the views back to the islands and forward to the mainland. If time allows this is a good chance to explore the remote North West corner of Scotland, before taking the bus to Inverness for onward travel by train or bus. Or, fly from Stornoway Airport which is near town.
Enjoy your last breakfast in Stornoway before departing from the trip. Take the ferry to Ullapool and enjoy the views back to the islands and forward to the mainland. If time allows this is a good chance to explore the remote North West corner of Scotland, before taking the bus to Inverness for onward travel by train or bus. Or, fly from Stornoway Airport which is near town.
Options
Our Hebridean Way Highlighs trip allows you to see the best sections of the full route in just 6 walking days. We make use of buses or taxis to link up those sections and to travel to and from accommodation off-route if necessary. This makes it quite easy to make the trip shorter or longer, by changing the taxi pick-up points, and spending multiple nights in the same hotel. We advise on the main options below, but please ask up for further options.
Make the trip shorter
The stages on our standard Hebridean Way are already quite long; however, if you’re up for a quick dash across the islands it’s possible to shorten the trip a little. As you will have to take a taxi or public transport between most of the stages, the best way of shortening the trip would be skipping or shortening some of the sections. Please ask and we will be happy to advise.
Make the trip longer
Walking days on the Hebridean Way are quite long, so for anyone looking to shorten the stages of the trek, we are more than happy to advise about splitting up the longer days. For example, on Harris, the long day from Horgabost to Tarbert can be split onto 2, staying at Greosabhagh (or with taxi to Tarbert to stay) and it happens that this would reflect the contrast in scenery between West and East Harris. We advise that the shorter days might mean using more transport on the route, to get to and from the hotels, but that this need not put you off a less challenging pace. Or you could, of course, have a look at our full Hebridean Way if you are looking for a longer trip!
Hike with a leader
Hike with confidence in the company of our fully qualified International Mountain Leaders (IMLs), with the navigation, accommodation and arrangements taken care of. You're welcome to walk on any date within our season and we can adjust the hike to suit your needs. Please get in touch for dates and availability on our private guided option. Thank you.
2026 Prices
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Hebridean Way Highlights 1 May to 17 Sept 2026 |
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Classic |
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| Self-guided | |||
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6 stages (7 nights) |
GBP 1,490 Singles 460 Main Trip |
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7 stages (8 nights) |
GBP 1,590 Singles 520 |
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| Private guided | |||
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6 stages (7 nights) |
Price dependant on group size, please ask us | ||
| Extras | |||
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Baggage transfer |
One bag included per person |
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Accommodation
Where we stay
The accommodation on our Hebridean Way Highlights trip uses a mix of welcoming hotels and stays as close to the route as possible. Breakfast is included every morning and we book ensuite rooms where we can. Unlike in the rest of the UK, most villages don’t have a pub or a restaurant, so we make greater use of hotels (with restaurants) than on our other UK holidays.
Although our classic schedule stays as close to the trail as possible, the trip requires taxi transfers to reach your accommodation and these are included in the trip.
Hutty and Comfy
Due to the limited accommodation options for walkers on the Hebrides we don't offer any comfier or more basic itineraries. If you'd like to customise your accommodation in any way, please contact us and we’ll advise on the small ways we can alter your trip.
Single Room Supplement
If you would like to stay in single rooms rather than sharing a double, twin or triple room we add our single room supplement. This covers the additional cost of booking single occupancy rooms on a per person basis.
Solo Travel
We do not take bookings for solo walkers on self-guided trips. If you are still interested in this trip, we do have availability on our guided trips.
The accommodation on our Hebridean Way Highlights trip uses a mix of welcoming hotels and stays as close to the route as possible. Breakfast is included every morning and we book ensuite rooms where we can. Unlike in the rest of the UK, most villages don’t have a pub or a restaurant, so we make greater use of hotels (with restaurants) than on our other UK holidays.
Although our classic schedule stays as close to the trail as possible, the trip requires taxi transfers to reach your accommodation and these are included in the trip.
Hutty and Comfy
Due to the limited accommodation options for walkers on the Hebrides we don't offer any comfier or more basic itineraries. If you'd like to customise your accommodation in any way, please contact us and we’ll advise on the small ways we can alter your trip.
Single Room Supplement
If you would like to stay in single rooms rather than sharing a double, twin or triple room we add our single room supplement. This covers the additional cost of booking single occupancy rooms on a per person basis.
Solo Travel
We do not take bookings for solo walkers on self-guided trips. If you are still interested in this trip, we do have availability on our guided trips.
Route
The Hebridean Way is a relatively new walk, launched in 2017. Our Highlights trip gives you the best sections of the full Hebridean Way from Vatersay to Stornoway on Lewis, using two ferries and crossing six causeways. After a careful review of the the route, we have chosen what we think are the 'Highlights' and then use comfortable taxis to connect those stages. Whilst you will still walk at least one section on each of the main islands, our Highlights trip will allow you to move along a little quicker, with more changes in scenery along the way. You will be staying in the comfiest accommodation as close to the route as possible. Every year we recce and update our routecards to inform you of any changes ahead of Summer.
The Terrain
The Hebridean Way terrain comprises wild sections of moorland, narrow hillside paths, farm tracks, roads, beaches and coastal paths. Please note around half of the route is on tarmac. Over the sections of moorland and hills the ground is often wet underfoot, parituclarly after heavy rain.
Is it for me?
The Hebridean Way is a manageable trek for walkers who are happy to walk for between roughly 5 and 8 hours per day along a long-distance trail. Some of the days are a little longer than one might normally plan, due to the location of accommodation. However, the easy flat sections often let the miles pass quicker than expected. The Hebridean Way will suit walkers who are looking for a little isolation in quite a wild location. Shops, cafes and restaurants are few and far between, so planning where to buy food is more important than on other treks.
Difficulty
The challenge of the Hebridean Way comes not in high mountain days but in the general remoteness and wild atmosphere of the Western Isles. The settlements are scarce and on many stages there are few refreshments stops or points of shelter. There is no climbing or scrambling, and very view sections of steep rocky paths. With little ascent and descent, it's important to consider the distances, with the longest day in our normal schedule being 27km.
Hebridean Way Walking Guide - more about the trail
The making of our Hebridean Way - photos from our research trips
How to get there
Your holiday starts in the small village of Castlebay on Barra and ends in Stornoway on Lewis, the main town of the Outer Hebrides and a bustling harbour. The quickest way to arrive and depart is to fly directly to the beach airport on Barra and to return from Stornoway airport. Glasgow Airport is the typical hub for these flights to the Western Isles but other UK airports also have links: Edinburgh, Manchester and others. Flight routes, in good weather, show a large portion of the Scottish Highlands.
The ferries also work well: from Oban to Castlebay, then back from Stornoway to Ullapool. The ferries work in conjunction with trains and buses: assuming you reach Glasgow, you would take either train or bus to Oban for the Castlebay ferry. Then once at Ullapool off the Stornoway ferry, you would take the bus to Inverness and then onward bus or train to Glasgow or Edinburgh. Or, fly from Inverness airport.
Travel to and from the trip is not included in the holiday price. We take care to give the most useful notes possible about all the travel options. We supply these both on booking and in your info pack, and we offer personalised tips at any point. The aim is that our trekkers arrange their travel by the simplest and most scenic means as suits their plan.
Included
- Bespoke accommodation itinerary - tailored to suit your particular requirements
- Baggage transfers
- Breakfast every morning
- Taxis to and from your accommodaiton when needed
- The 2 ferries used during the trip (Ardmhor to Eriskay and Berneray to Leverburgh)
- Detailed Routecards HBW1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 12 of the Exploratory system, printed on waterproof paper
- The 5 topographical maps needed
- Downloadable GPX Tracks covering the route
- Expert advice and local information
- A comprehensive 'Season Update' following our pre-season recce
- Full support during your trip from the Alpine Exploratory team (8am until 8pm in the UK)
Not included
- Travel to and from your trip
- Local transport whilst on the trip unless specified
- Travel insurance
- Lunches, snacks, drinks and evening meals
Baggage transfer
Baggage transfer is included on our Hebridean Way trek to each night's accommodation. In the morning, simply leave your bag with your host or at reception. We then take it to your next accommodation while you walk.
Got questions about the Hebridean Way Highlights?
Feel free to ask us any questions you have about any aspects of your planning and preparations! Lucy, Steph, Nicky, Rob, Evie, Ben and Amy will reply with expert advice. We spend a lot of time walking our routes and more broadly exploring ski and hiking trails around the world so do feel free to ask anything at all.
 
Enquiry Form
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If you prefer, please feel welcome to email or call us. Thanks!
| Contact Alpine Exploratory | |
| info@alpineexploratory.com | |
| Phone | +44 (0)131 214 1144 |
| Our times |
9am to 5pm UK time Monday to Friday |
| Australia | 02 8319 2266 |
| Canada | 416-628-3473 |
| New Zealand | 04 889 4515 |
| USA | 646-757-1102 |
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Since Alpine Exploratory started in 2005 we have loved getting to know our clients from around the world. Along with the UK, our best-represented countries are the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Please use our national-rate numbers for a cheaper call to contact our office in Edinburgh.
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