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Hebridean Way South
Arrival day: Arrive in Castlebay
After a scenic ferry from Oban or a flight landing on the beach runway on Barra, your trip begins on arrival 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 on arrival 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 there are 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 the 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 there are 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 the 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: Dalabrog to Drimsdale
Green 3 (grade) 23.4km with 35m ascent, 35m descent, 480m descent
Today's route stays on South Uist and begins by continuing on the Machair Way for 16.5km until Howmore. Views to the Right show South Uist's mountains, including the highest Beinn Mhor, and to the Left the Atlantic stretches out. The day ends with a short road section, passing through villages. From the main road at Drimsdale, travel back to Dalabrog for a second hotel night.
Hotel in Dalabrog (breakfast)
Green 3 (grade) 23.4km with 35m ascent, 35m descent, 480m descent
Today's route stays on South Uist and begins by continuing on the Machair Way for 16.5km until Howmore. Views to the Right show South Uist's mountains, including the highest Beinn Mhor, and to the Left the Atlantic stretches out. The day ends with a short road section, passing through villages. From the main road at Drimsdale, travel back to Dalabrog for a second hotel night.
Hotel in Dalabrog (breakfast)
Stage 4: Drimsdale to Liniclate
Blue 3 (grade) 23.6km with 80m ascent, 85m descent
Moving away from the coast, today showcases the moorland of the Hebridean Way, walking through a seemingly endless number of lochs. Stunning views accross the South Uist hills characterise this section. The day finishes with a road stretch to move on to our fifth island: Benbecula.
Hotel in Liniclate (breakfast)
Blue 3 (grade) 23.6km with 80m ascent, 85m descent
Moving away from the coast, today showcases the moorland of the Hebridean Way, walking through a seemingly endless number of lochs. Stunning views accross the South Uist hills characterise this section. The day finishes with a road stretch to move on to our fifth island: Benbecula.
Hotel in Liniclate (breakfast)
Stage 5: Liniclate to Carinish
Blue 4 (grade) 26.3km with 150m ascent, 150m descent
Continuing across Benbecula and briefly crossing Grimsay before arriving onto North Uist, the highlight of today's walk is the ascent of Benbecula's highest hill. Although only 124m high, Ruabhal commands fantastic 360 degree views. On a clear day you can see St Kilda out to the West and to the South East, the Cuillin Ridge on Skye.
Inn in Carinish (breakfast)
Blue 4 (grade) 26.3km with 150m ascent, 150m descent
Continuing across Benbecula and briefly crossing Grimsay before arriving onto North Uist, the highlight of today's walk is the ascent of Benbecula's highest hill. Although only 124m high, Ruabhal commands fantastic 360 degree views. On a clear day you can see St Kilda out to the West and to the South East, the Cuillin Ridge on Skye.
Inn in Carinish (breakfast)
Stage 6: Carinish to Lochmaddy
Blue 2 (grade) 18.4km with 150m ascent, 150m descent
Today crosses North Uist and is a day of three distinct parts. 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.
Hotel in Lochmaddy (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 18.4km with 150m ascent, 150m descent
Today crosses North Uist and is a day of three distinct parts. 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.
Hotel in Lochmaddy (breakfast)
Stage 7: Lochmaddy to Berneray
Blue 2 (grade) 17.6km with 210m ascent, 220m descent
The last day on the of the 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.
Hotel in Lochmaddy (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 17.6km with 210m ascent, 220m descent
The last day on the of the 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.
Hotel in Lochmaddy (breakfast)
Departure Day: Depart from Lochmaddy
Enjoy your last breakfast in Lochmaddy before departing from the trip. If you have the time, we'd also recommen visiting the Taigh Chearsabhaghthe Trust before taking the ferry to to Uig on Skye for the scenic journey onwards.
Enjoy your last breakfast in Lochmaddy before departing from the trip. If you have the time, we'd also recommen visiting the Taigh Chearsabhaghthe Trust before taking the ferry to to Uig on Skye for the scenic journey onwards.
Options
Our main route of 7 stages allows you to complete the entire route without any unduly long days. The limited accommodation along the route means that taxi transfers are needed to get to and from the end points of the route to the hotels. This means it's quiet 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 do just get in touch 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. For a 6-stage trip we suggest walking from Eriskay to Carinish in 3 stages instead of our usual 4, with end points at Howmore and Cula Bay (and taxis taken to accommodation). Please ask us for more details of shorter routes if you’re up for a challenge!
Make the trip longer
Walking days on the Hebridean Way are quite long. In part this is due to the location of accommodation, so it isn’t always easy to make the days shorter, however there is some flexibility. For an 8 stage trip we suggest splitting the 2 long days between Drimsdale and Carinish into 3 shorter days, with the end points being in Creagorry and Cula Bay. Transfers may be needed to get to nearby accommodation as accommodation is very limited.
Hike with a guide
Hike with confidence in the company of our fully qualified International Mountain Leaders (IMLs), with the navigation, accommodation and all 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. If your group would like a guide for your trip, please get in touch for more details.
2026 Prices
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Hebridean Way South 1 May to 17 Sept 2026 |
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| Classic | Self-guided | ||
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6 stages (7 nights) |
GBP 1,450 Singles 300 |
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7 stages (8 nights) |
GBP 1,540 Singles 360 Main Trip |
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8 stages (9 nights) |
GBP 1,640 Singles 420 |
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| Private guided | |||
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7 stages (8 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
Our accommodation schedule 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, you will still need some taxi transfers to nearby 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.
Our accommodation schedule 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, you will still need some taxi transfers to nearby 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 Hebridean Way South trip gives a complete journey on foot from Vatersay, to Berneray using one ferry and crossing six causeways. You will be staying in the comfiest accommodation as close to the route as possible, but taxis will be needed to get to and from your next hotel or B&B on some nights. Every year we recce and update our routecards to inform you of any changes over the winter.
The Terrain
The Hebridean Way terrain comprises wild sections of moorland, narrow hillside paths, farm tracks, and roads. On South Uist in particular the route sticks close to the coast making use of the beaches and paths through the machair. Machair is the low-lying rich grassy plain found on the coast on the exposed North West coastlines of Ireland and Scotland, and in the summer, it is covered in a carpet of wildflowers. On the moorland sections, peat provides a challenge for maintaining paths, as rocks can sink into the soil, and raised turf paths have been built to show the way and keep feet dry. Old military roads, often running close to today's roads, provide good paths underfoot and are used where possible, but there is still a lot of road walking on the route, including, of course, all the causeways.
Is it for me?
The Hebridean Way South is a manageable trek for fit 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 for due the location of accommodation. However, the easy flat sections often let the miles pass quicker than expected. The Hebridean Way South will suit walkers who are looking for a week long adventure in a remote and 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 there are few refreshments stops or points of shelter on many stages. There is no climbing or scrambling, and very few sections of steep rocky paths. With little ascent and descent, the sometimes quite long distances are the key thing to consider, 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 Lochmaddy, a small village in North Uist. The quickest way to arrive and depart is to fly directly to the beach airport on Barra. The ferries also work well, from Oban to get to Castlebay and back from Lochmaddy to Uig on the Isle of Skye.
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 ferry from Ardmhor to Eriskay
- Detailed Routecards HBW1-7 of the Exploratory system, printed on waterproof paper
- The 3 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 South?
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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